Park Activities
Biking
Trail Rules and Etiquette
For the safety and enjoyment of all users, please follow trail rules and etiquette:
- Conditions may vary depending upon the trail. Please practice courtesy towards other users.
- Give plenty of warning to pedestrians and others.
- Bikes must follow all traffic laws and yield right-of-way to slower and equestrian traffic.
- Please share the trail with other users and obey all traffic laws.
- Speed limit: (as conditions allow—slow down if necessary!)
- Yield when entering the trail
- Yield to pedestrians
- Do not stop in travel lanes
- Stay to the right; announce to pass on the left
- Turn lights on after sundown
- Always wear a helmet!
- Never Scare Animals! Give them enough room and time to adjust to you.
- Do not occupy more than half the width of the trail, either single-vehicle or side-by-side
- Call 911 for any emergencies
- To report any other concerns email dnr_cherrycreek.park@state.co.us
12 miles of paved trails, 35 total miles of multi-use trails. Please use proper trail etiquette: bikers yield to hikers, all yield to horses. Bicycles are legally considered “vehicles” on Colorado’s roadways, so be sure you know the rules of the road, and be respectful of all road users.
For more information on biking safely, please take a moment to look over the Colorado Department of Transportation’s Bicycle/Pedestrian manual.
Updated: 4/26/2023 4:26 PM
Birding
The unique ecosystem in the park attracts various raptor species including bald eagle, red-tailed hawk, northern harrier, and ferruginous hawk. Over 40 mammals and 171 bird species live here.
The wetlands area on the south end of the reservoir provides many opportunities to view songbirds, as well as waterfowl and shorebirds.
Please remember to give plenty of space to any nesting activity that you observe, and come stop by the office to check in on our wildlife observation log!
Download the Bird List Brochure (PDF).
(Updated: 5/28/2025 12:00 PM)
Boating
The lake is open for boating March 1 - November 30.
Please keep a lookout for possible floating debris, and always be aware that unmarked hazards may exist. If debris or hazards are discovered please notify park staff.
Mandatory Boat Inspections: To boat on the reservoir, an aquatic nuisance species (ANS) stamp, current boat registration and a pre-launch boat inspection at the boat ramp is required. Vessels and other floating devices that are both hand-launched and human-powered are exempt from mandatory ANS inspections.
For boat rentals and slips, see the Pelican Bay at Cherry Creek Marina website.
(Updated: 5/28/2025 12:00 PM)
Camping
Limited winter camping: November 1 - March 31.
During this time period only Abilene Loop and Coyote Loop will be open and the Dump station will be closed.
All Campground opportunities available: April 1 - October 31.
Reservations can be made 6 months in advance for any reservable sites.
Cherry Creek Campground has 135 newly renovated sites. Full hook-up sites and basic tent sites reservable by calling (800) 244-5613. Open year-round. Reserve Now.
For additional general camping information, see the Cherry Creek camping page.
Cross-country Skiing
Permitted on our trails with appropriate snow conditions.
Dog-friendly
Dogs are welcome in the campgrounds and on some trails at Cherry Creek.
Please clean up after them and keep them on a six-foot or shorter leash except in our designated off-leash area.
NOTE: Dogs are not allowed within the wetlands of the park.
Education Programs
Call (303) 690-1166 X6571 for program dates and information or to schedule programs.
Fishing
Popular with local fishermen for close-to-home quality fishing from shore or boat. Always stay at least 60 feet away from the front of the Tower structure. Ice fishing is allowed when conditions permit.
Horseback Riding
The 12 Mile Stables at Cherry Creek offer horse rentals, hay rides, day camps, riding lessons and horse boarding. Please call (303) 699-6128 or visit the website for more information.
Jet Skiing
Jet skis are allowed on the reservoir. Observe all regulations and no-wake areas.
Model Airplane Flying
Model airplane enthusiasts will find asphalt runways, frequency posts and field regulations for radio-controlled aircraft at Suhaka Field located on the west side of the park. Both electric and gas/glow aircraft are flown at Suhaka Field. The elevation at Suhaka field is 5,700 feet. Beginners are always welcome, and instructor pilots are available for flight training at no additional charge.
Suhaka Field is operated by the Denver R/C Eagles Flying Club. You do not need to be a member of the club to fly at the facility. However, you do need to follow all the club rules, including the requirement that all pilots display a current Academy of Model Aeronautics membership.
Family Shooting Center
Fixed targets for rifles and pistols, a trap area for shotguns and more can be found at the Family Shooting Center in the southern area of the park. Firearms are prohibited elsewhere in the park.
Group Camping
There are three Group Campsites in the Campground. Call Reserve America at (800) 244-5613, or online for reservations. See details under Group Facilities.
Group Picnicking
See details on the Group Picnicking page.
Hiking
12 miles of multi-use trails. Easy rolling terrain. For more information, visit the Trails page.
Horseback Riding
The 12 Mile Stables at Cherry Creek are now open. The stables offer horse rentals, hay rides, day camps, riding lessons, and horse boarding. Please call (888) 61-HORSES or visit http://horserentalsdenver.com/.
Ice Skating
Ice skating (at your own risk) when conditions allow.
Jet Skiing
For Jet Ski rentals, see the Pelican Bay at Cherry Creek Marina Website.
Model Airplane Flying
Located on the west side of the park, the Model Airplane Field (also known as “Suhaka Field”), has two paved runways (NS 400 feet long, EW 275 feet long), paved taxiways and a pit area, as well as a separate flying field dedicated to rotorcraft. The elevation at Suhaka field is 5,700 feet.
About Suhaka Field
Both electric and gas/glow aircraft are flown at Suhaka Field. Beginners are always welcome, and instructor pilots are available for flight training at no additional charge.
Suhaka Field is operated by the Denver R/C Eagles Flying Club, a group of about 115 members. You do not need to be a member of the Club to fly at the facility, however you do need to follow all the club rules, including the requirement that all pilots display a current Academy of Model Aeronautics membership.
Club activities cover nearly every phase of R/C aircraft building and flying, and include access to special club events. Club members have diverse interests in scale war birds, aerobatics, helicopters, quad copters, and ducted fan jets.
For more information, please visit the Denver R/C Eagles Flying Club website.
Paddle Boarding
For information on paddle board rentals, see the Pelican Bay at Cherry Creek Marina website.
Picnicking
Public picnic tables around the lake on a first come - first serve basis. Group sites must be reserved in advanced. See Group Picnic Areas for details.
Sailing
The Cherry Creek Reservoir is one of Community Sailing of Colorado’s (CSC) flagship locations where we teach a variety of sailing programs such as youth summer camps, adult classes, adaptive sailing, free outreach events, and even coach a junior race team.
Call (303) 757-7718 for more information.
Sledding
Sledding is allowed if conditions permit. There must be sufficient snow cover to prevent resource damage. There is no designated sledding area.
Snowshoeing
Permitted on our trails with appropriate snow conditions.
Snowtubing
Tubing is allowed when conditions permit.
Swimming
The park’s sandy beach and roped-off swimming area is a gathering spot for families to soak up the Colorado sun. There’s a bathhouse with restrooms located at the beach for convenience. The swim beach is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Paddle Boarding
Paddle boarding is a popular water activity at Cherry Creek. Visitors can rent a paddle board through the marina. For information on paddle board rentals, contact Pelican Bay Marina.
Volleyball
Poles are installed. Bring your own net and ball.
Water Skiing
Ski counter-clockwise north of the Ski Line (when lake is open to boating). For more information, visit the Water Activities page.
Winter Camping
Reservations may be made at full hook up and basic sites year-round by calling (800) 244-5613, or visit Reserve Now.