Barr Lake State Park
Location13401 Picadilly Rd, Brighton, CO 80603
|
Website |
PDF Map
Trail Map
Park Fees
As you drive into the park there is a self-service pay station when the toll booth is not open.
Daily pass $9
Annual Colorado State Park Pass $80
Park Pass Info:
https://cpw.state.co.us/buyapply/Pages/ParksPassInfo.aspx
Daily pass $9
Annual Colorado State Park Pass $80
Park Pass Info:
https://cpw.state.co.us/buyapply/Pages/ParksPassInfo.aspx
Trailer Parking
The first time I rode here I did not know where horse trailers were supposed to park. There are two great options. First, you can park at the boat ramp taking the first right after the self-service pay station. This is a huge parking lot with extra long spots for boats and horse trailers. The second option is farther south, hanging left at the first fork to park in the dirt area by the round-pen and horse playground before you reach the nature center parking lot. I recommend going left and parking before the nature center so you can round-pen your horse or use the obstacles in the equestrian playground.
We parked by the boat ramp in a huge concrete parking lot with extra long spaces for boats and horse trailers.
If you continue driving toward the nature center there is a huge grassy area to the right. There are no set trailer parking spaces but you can park anywhere on the grass by the round-pen and equestrian playground or obstacle course. When I came back to ride again at Barr Lake I did park here and it was nice to be on the grass by the round-pen.
Close-up of the round-pen. You can park anywhere on the grass/dirt to the left of the round-pen and equestrian playground.
BathroomsYes, there are bathrooms at each parking area.
|
WaterThere is water at the equestrian playground and the nature center.
|
Mounting
There were some uncovered picnic tables and benches to use to mount.
Footing
The trail was nice and wide with packed dirt footing. Sam was only shod in front and wanted to walk on the softer grass by the side of the trail. The branches of the trail that took us closer to the lake were nice and soft gravel footing where Sam was more comfortable.
Horse Hazards
We saw lots of strollers, bikes and hikers with walking sticks. However, this trail was wide and easy with a few bridges. We rode in late March and the bugs were just starting to get bad, this would be a great winter trail but I would avoid it during the bug season. You may also see a lot of birds or have deer jump out from the brush in front of you.
Chosen Trail
Yvonne and I parked by the boat docking area at the north-east corner of the park. The lake loop trail goes around the whole lake and is about 8.8 miles. The blue line shows the part of the Lake Loop Trail that travels very close to the rail-road tracks on the west side of the lake. The train is active and it would be terrifying to be stuck that close to the track. We decided we did not want to ride close to the rail-road track by the north-west side of the park. This is a huge park and a long trail. We rode south past the nature center around the south side of the lake then stopped when we started getting a little too close to the road and rail-road tracks. There was a nice picnic area where we turned around that would be a great place to break and have lunch. Horses can walk on the trail behind the dam if you want to walk farther north from the boat/trailer parking lot. We rode for 3 hours and covered an estimated 9-10 miles. Yvonne has a gaited horse that could easily keep up with Sam's naturally fast walk. If you have a slow and lazy quarter horse I would allow more time for this ride.
Trail Experience
We started across the bridge from the northern parking lot by the boat ramp. We turned left to take the Lake Loop Trail and headed south between the canal and the lake. The path was wide and the footing was packed dirt with some rocks.
The trail was really pretty and we could ride side-by-side.
The trail continued to meander south, around some gentle turns. We saw some walkers and the bikers we saw were pretty courteous. It really helped that Yvonne had her parks volunteer official badge on, people slowed down and were respectful of our horses. All the dogs we saw were on leash.
On our left across the canal was the 2nd parking lot by the nature center.
I dismounted to lead Sam across this arched and narrow bridge to reach the nature center.
We crossed the parking lot and walked over the grass to reach the equestrian playground and parking area.
There were some fun obstacles. Logs to jump a tetter-totter that looked a little broken, some hangin pool noodles....
Some poles to weave and nice sand in the round-pen for an after or before ride roll.
The sun was out, the sky was clear and we had some pretty views.
Across the lake on the west side the trail was closed for eagle nesting.
We reached a fork that went right to follow the edge of the lake more closely.
The trail footing changed to crusher fines and went closer to the lake.
More nice inviting trail with a board-walk for birders on the right that was built out onto the lake.
We came upon a small dam and took a fork to the right that headed north-west.
We crossed a bridge. I dismounted to give Sam more courage to cross.
I used the wooden fence to get back on Sam. The trail continued along the west side of the lake. You could take a little detour by following a fork to the right after crossing the bridge, it connects up with the same trail that continues north. We saw a lot of eagles and white pelicans.
We watched for deer. Yvonne said that sometimes they jump out onto the trail from the trees and bushes.
We reached a nice clearing with picnic tables and a place to water your horse. When the water level is lower there is some beach to ride on. At this point the road traffic was pretty loud and we did not want to ride any closer to the road or railroad tracks. We turned around and retraced our steps back to the parking lot.
Rating
Moderately easy! I would be aware of lots of foot-traffic, bikers, strollers and hikers. If you go on a weekday morning it may be less busy. This is a wonderful place to ride with very few hazards if you stay away from the rail-road tracks. Only a few bridges and great footing and views.