Chatfield Lake
Chatfield Dam, located southwest of Denver on the South Platte River, was the second of three dams built to protect the Denver region from floods. The 1,479-acre land and the 5,300 acres surrounding it provide a myriad of recreational opportunities including camping, fishing, and swimming. This lake features a heron and marsh bird observatory and sailboat harbor. Horseback riding and bicycling are available. Ice fishing, ice skating, ice boating, and cross-country skiing are popular during the winter months. The Botanic Gardens' Nature Preserve for environmental studies is open to visitors, and the old Hildebrand Homestead, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is the central historic feature. The barrier-free design of the facilities provides convenient access for the handicapped.This area is managed by the State of Colorado (Visit their web site at http://www.dnr.state.co.us, (or use the link to Chatfield Lake on this page) Address: Colorado State Parks, Department of Natural Resources, 1313 Sherman Street, Denver, CO 80203 (303)866-3437.)
Directions
Located off C-470 SW of Denver at the Wadsworth interchange.
More info at http://www.nwo.usace.army.mil/html/Lake_Proj/TriLakes/TLCLDam.htm
Online Colorado Parks
Olle's Colorado Fishing Guide & Atlas (Book) by Jack Olofson
Gives info on not only every fly-fishable lake, stream and river in Colorado, but detailed maps on how to get to them, including hiking trails. Covers National Forests and Recreational Areas, RMNP, State Parks, Trust lands and Wildlife Areas, plus metro Denver and the Front Range.
Merchant: Online Sports
Rocky Mountain National Park: The Climber's Guide - Estes Park V
This comprehensive guide has more than 900 routes on the lower elevation cliffs that lie along the eastern edge of Rocky Mountain National Park, including some of the best traditional and sport cragging in Colorado. Text and topo maps describe every route.
Merchant: Online Sports
Colorado Ice (Book) by Jack Roberts
Waterfalls, smears, mixed and selected alpine climbs in Rocky Mountain National Park, Front Range, Vail, Carbondale, Telluride, Durango and more, in Colorado. 312 pages.
Merchant: Online Sports
Snowshoe Routes: Colorado's Front Range (Book) by Alan Apt
Offers detailed route descriptions for Red Feather Lakes, Poudre Canyon, Steamboat Springs, Rocky Mountain National Park, Indian Peaks, Mount Evans and Guanella Pass, and the Colorado Springs region. Routes vary in level of difficulty and include several weekend camping trips.
Merchant: Online Sports