Bear Creek Park

Bear Creek Park is a 2,624-acre regional park located in Lakewood, Colorado, just west of Denver. The park is centered around three lakes: Bear Creek Lake, Big Soda Lake, and Little Soda Lake. It offers a diverse landscape of open spaces, foothills, and riparian areas, providing visitors with a variety of recreational opportunities and natural environments to explore.

The park features an extensive trail system with nearly 15 miles of soft-surface trails suitable for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. These trails wind through various ecosystems, offering visitors the chance to observe local wildlife and plant species. The park also connects to regional paved trail systems, allowing for extended recreational opportunities.

Bear Creek Lake Park serves as an ideal outdoor classroom, with a visitor center that provides educational displays and exhibits about the local flora and fauna. The park offers hands-on public programs throughout the year, focusing on environmental education and nature appreciation.

The park's water features are a significant draw. Bear Creek Lake, the largest of the three lakes, covers over 300 acres and supports various water activities. Big Soda Lake includes a swim beach that is open during the summer months, providing a popular spot for visitors to cool off and enjoy water-based recreation.

Bear Creek Lake Park also offers camping facilities, including 47 campsites with electrical hookups, two yurts, and three cabins. This makes it one of the closest full-service campgrounds to the Denver metro area, allowing visitors to extend their stay and fully immerse themselves in the park's natural surroundings.