Barr Lake

Barr Lake State Park protects 2,715 acres of prairie reservoir habitat in Adams County, about 25 miles northeast of downtown Denver near the town of Brighton. The park centers on Barr Lake, a warm-water irrigation reservoir that has become one of the premier birding destinations in the entire Rocky Mountain region, with more than 370 documented bird species dating back to records from the 1880s.

The headline draw is bald eagles. A resident pair nests on the southern shore, and during winter the park regularly hosts 50 or more bald eagles at once, making it one of the densest eagle concentrations along the Front Range. Great blue herons, snowy egrets, American white pelicans, and double-crested cormorants fill a massive rookery of over 200 nests in the wildlife refuge at the lake's south end. Whether you bring binoculars or a spotting scope, the viewing here is exceptional.

Fishing at Barr Lake targets warm-water species year-round. The lake holds channel catfish, largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, wiper, tiger muskie, bluegill, and stocked rainbow trout. An ADA-accessible fishing pier sits near the boat ramp on the lake's north side, and shore fishing spots are spread along the eastern bank. Boats with electric trolling motors or gasoline engines of 10 horsepower or less are permitted on the north half of the lake. Sailboats and hand-propelled craft are also welcome.

A 8.8-mile perimeter trail circles the lake, with boardwalks crossing wetland areas on the south side. The trail is flat and well-maintained, making it accessible for families, joggers, and cyclists. Shorter loops connect to picnic areas, the nature center, and a 12-lane shooting range with targets set from 10 to 100 yards. The nature center is worth a stop — it hosts the annual Birding Festival each September and the Bald Eagle Festival in early February.

Barr Lake charges a daily vehicle entrance fee (Colorado Parks and Wildlife annual pass accepted), and the park is open year-round. The main entrance is at 13401 Piccadilly Road in Brighton — note that GPS sometimes directs visitors to the west side of the lake where there is no public access. Restrooms, picnic pavilions, a playground, and a small concession area are available near the parking lot.

For anyone on the Front Range looking for a quick escape that combines birding, fishing, and easy trail walking without a mountain drive, Barr Lake State Park delivers a surprisingly wild experience just minutes from the Denver suburbs.