Like many places in Colorado, Barr Lake State Park is a great place to visit during any season. And it is the perfect place for bird watching in Colorado! Just a short drive northeast of Denver, this state park has a variety of trails and many great bird viewing areas.
A daily pass is just $10 per vehicle. Or opt for an annual parks pass to all 42 Colorado state parks. The fee is $80 per vehicle. Plus, they have lots of fun educational events throughout the year!
Popular Trails at Barr Lark
The trail to the Gazebo Boardwalk is only 1.3 miles. It is a great place to spot birds. The 9-mile loop around the whole lake is fairly flat and good for a bike ride on a nice day, and there are plenty of wildlife viewing areas along the way. Read more about the trails here.
Barr Lake Eagle Express Guided Tour
If you aren’t in the mood for a bike ride or long walk, the Eagle Express is a relaxing and informative option. This motorized cart runs on weekends from mid-May to September. It is driven by a knowledgeable naturalist that can give you all sorts of interesting facts! They will usually point out the existing nests to you too. And they may even let you use their binoculars.
Bird Watching at Barr Lake
More than 350 species of birds have been spotted at the park. This also includes some resident bald eagles that nest there throughout the year! Go in the morning or before dusk for the best luck! And don’t forget to bring your binoculars or camera with a zoom lens!
We lived in Colorado for five years and never made a dent in visiting all of the amazing state parks we were blessed to have there. Which is your favorite?
