6 Under-Appreciated State Parks Near Denver You’re Sure To Love

It is no secret that Colorado is chock-full of amazing state parks (42, to be exact) and we here at Only in Your State just can't seem to get our fill. But can you blame us? While you could travel for hours at a time to visit just one of those outdoor oases, we recommend staying close and visiting one of these under-appreciates state parks located in (or around) the city of Denver:

1.) Staunton State Park (Pine)

Colorado's newest state park (opened in May 2013) is also one of the most beautiful, boasting nearly 4,000 acres worth of hiking opportunities, dramatic cliffs, and other unique ecological features that you will not find anywhere else in the Denver area. Read more about the newest addition to Colorado's state parks family in this article.

2.) Cherry Creek State Park (Aurora)

Your eyes do not deceive you; Denver IS indeed home to a sandy beach! But that isn't the only thing you will find at Cherry Creek, which also offers some of the best water sports and camping opportunities in the region. Learn more about Cherry Creek State Park in this article!

3.) Castlewood Canyon State Park (Franktown)

Located south of Parker, Castlewood Canyon State Park is not only a great place to walk around and explore, but also a historically significant area, as the state park once housed the large Castlewood Dam (which burst and flooded Downtown Denver in 1933). Remnants of the dam can still be seen today. Read about our favorite incredible hike through Castlewood Canyon in this article.

4.) St. Vrain State Park (Firestone)

Don't let the acreage of St. Vrain State Park fool you, for what it lacks in size (with its 50 acres of land and 80 acres of water), it makes up for with killer bird watching (keep your eyes peeled for bald eagles!) and fishing opportunities. Read more about the park on its official website.

5.) Eldorado Canyon State Park (Eldorado Springs)

Doesn't this look like the setting of a gorgeous watercolor painting? Believe it or not, it is real life and can be experienced just outside of Boulder! (Psst... a little birdie tells us that if you like to rock climb, this is THE place to do it.) Read more about Eldorado Canyon and all its amazingness in this article.

6.) Chatfield State Park (Littleton)

Last but certainly not least on our list of underrated Denver-area parks is Littleton's Chatfield; a popular park that is known for not only its gorgeous scenery, but special events, beaches, and exciting water sports as well. Read more here!

Which Denver-area state park is YOUR favorite? Tell us about it in the comments! We love hearing from you.