Chatfield Lake
17 mi northwest · US Army Corps of Engineers
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.
Outdoors
Wildlife viewing and birding near Castle Rock
Refuges, lakes and wild areas near Castle Rock for wildlife viewing and birdwatching.
18places to see wildlife
17 mito the closest
5within 30 miles
Good to know: Early mornings and evenings are best for wildlife; bring binoculars and keep a respectful distance.
Closest picks
Cherry Creek Lake
19 mi north · US Army Corps of Engineers
Cherry Creek Dam, located at the southeast edge of Denver in Aurora, CO, was the first of the three dams to be built to protect the Denver region from catastrophic South Platte River floodwaters that plagued the area for more than 100…
Kelsey Campground
23 mi west · USDA Forest Service
Kelsey is one of two campgrounds within the Buffalo Creek Recreation Area, about an hour's drive southwest of Denver, Colorado.
Map of all 18 places
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Within 30 miles (5)
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.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Picnicking
- Water sports
Cherry Creek Lake
Cherry Creek Dam, located at the southeast edge of Denver in Aurora, CO, was the first of the three dams to be built to protect the Denver region from catastrophic South Platte River floodwaters that plagued the area for more than 100…
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Kelsey Campground
Kelsey is one of two campgrounds within the Buffalo Creek Recreation Area, about an hour's drive southwest of Denver, Colorado.
- Biking
- Camping
- Climbing
- Hiking
- Wildlife viewing
Bear Creek Lake
Bear Creek Dam, the last of three dams built to protect the Denver region from floods, is located on the southwest edge of suburban Lakewood at the confluence of Bear Creek and Turkey Creek.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Picnicking
Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge
This 15,000 acre site provides a Refuge for both wildlife and visitors. Through wildlife management, species like the endangered black-footed ferret are thriving in the wild and raising their young.
- Archery
- Biking
- Birding
- Cross Country Skiing
- Educational Programs
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Photography
30 to 75 miles (8)
Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge
Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge is a natural oasis with native wildlife and plants in an urban setting.
- Birding
- Educational Programs
- Hiking
- Photography
- Ranger programs
- Wildlife viewing
Garden Park Fossil Area
Fossils of well-known species of large dinosaurs have been discovered at this site over the last 120 years.
- Hiking
- Scenic Drive
- Wildlife viewing
Gold Belt Tour Back Country Byway
The Gold Belt Tour Back Country Byway retraces the historic travel routes for the World’s Greatest Gold Camp, Cripple Creek. Travel on a historic, narrow-gauge railroad bed, an old stage road, and a county road on the Byway.
- Biking
- Camping
- Climbing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Picnicking
Carter Reservoir (Carter Lake)
Developments include 5 campgrounds with 151 campsites and 3 boat-launch ramps. A concession-operated public marina located at the north end of the lake (970.667.1062).
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Ranger programs
Mosquito Peaks
This beautiful high-alpine tundra and Area of Critical Environmental Concern contains significant biodiversity. There are several small parcels of BLM land here, with unique geological formations and 18 rare plant species.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Off-highway vehicles
- Wildlife viewing
Flatiron Reservoir
Flatiron Dam and Reservoir are located on Chimney Hollow Creek 8 miles southwest of Loveland, Colorado. The dam and reservoir are features of the Colorado - Big Thompson Project . One campground with 41 campsites. Access is good.
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Ranger programs
Pinewood Lake
Pinewood Lake is located about 12 miles southwest of Loveland, Colorado. The Lake and Dam are a small part of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project , one of the largest and most complex ever constructed by Reclamation.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Wildlife viewing
Pike and San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands
Peaks to Prairies - Tracks to Trails Pike and San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands ( forest locator map ) cover nearly 3 million acres, between the prairies of western Kansas and some of Colorado's…
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Climbing
- Fire Lookouts/Cabins Overnight
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
75 miles and farther (5)
East Portal Reservoir
East Portal Reservoir is a feature of the Colorado - Big Thompson Project. This charming campground sits at the base of a mountain in the midst of a pine forest.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Recreational Vehicles
- Wildlife viewing
Marys Lake
Marys Lake is part of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project. There are 2 dikes on the shoreline of Marys Lake, located approximately 2 miles from Estes Park, Colorado.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Recreational Vehicles
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Lake Estes
Lake Estes, a feature of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project , is formed by Olympus Dam constructed across the Big Thompson River.
- Biking
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Lake Granby
Granby Dam and Lake Granby, features of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project are on the Colorado River near Granby, Colorado. Developments include 260 campsites and 3 boat-launch ramps.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Recreational Vehicles
- Wildlife viewing
Pueblo Reservoir
Recreation at Pueblo Reservoir is managed by the Colorado State Parks under agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation, Eastern Colorado Area Office, Loveland, Colorado.Pueblo Reservoir was created by Pueblo Dam which crosses the Arkansas…
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fish Hatchery
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Picnicking
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Castle Rock. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
Get outside around Castle Rock
THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
Hiking up to the Rock
The short climb in Rock Park toward the butte that gives the town its name, with views over downtown. A Short shared by Espi Agency | Colorado Real Estate.
Watch on YouTube ↗
THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
Challenge Hill at Philip S. Miller Park
Climbing Challenge Hill, the steep staircase nicknamed the miniature incline, at Philip S. Miller Park. A Short shared by DadandAshton.
Watch on YouTube ↗More outdoors near Castle Rock
Questions
Where is the closest place for wildlife & birding near Castle Rock?
Chatfield Lake (US Army Corps of Engineers), about 17 miles northwest of Castle Rock as the crow flies. Next are Cherry Creek Lake (19 mi) and Kelsey Campground (23 mi).
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including Bureau of Reclamation, US Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Land Management. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.