Barr Lake State Park

Barr Lake centers on a broad prairie reservoir that anchors a 2,715-acre park; more than 1,950 acres of open water create wide horizons, cottonwood edges, and wetland pockets that teem with birdlife. The park’s signature loop is a flat 8.8-mile multi-use trail; walk, ride, or roll it, circling the lake with frequent wildlife viewing stops and big sky-to-water panoramas. I think it’s the easiest “see-a-lot-of-wildlife” day trip from the Denver area.

What makes Barr Lake special is the protected southern half, managed as a wildlife refuge. You’ll find boardwalks, designated trails, and a gazebo overlook reached by an easy 1.3-mile stroll from the Nature Center; scopes often sit here for viewing. Refuge rules keep it quiet for nesting and migrating birds, no pets in the refuge, stay on designated boardwalks and trails, and no fishing or boating within the refuge boundary.

Birding is superb year-round. More than 350 species have been recorded, and winter brings concentrations of bald eagles; most seasons you can expect many wintering birds plus local nesting pairs. It’s common to see dramatic eagle activity on cold, clear mornings.

The park blends recreation and easy access. Besides the lake loop, there’s an ADA-accessible fishing pier on the open-use (northern) side of the lake. Boating is limited to hand-propelled craft, sailboats, and low-horsepower motors; it keeps the water calm and wildlife viewing relaxed. You’ll also find an archery range and family-friendly programs out of the Nature Center.

History threads through the experience. Barr Lake opened to the public as a state park in 1977 and sits on a reservoir protected by a long earthen dike that doubles as part of the walking route. Ongoing stewardship includes creative raptor support, after winds took down a nesting tree in 2021, staff installed nest baskets in nearby cottonwoods to encourage eagles to re-establish a visible nest near the boardwalk