Routes

Planner

Features

Updates

App

Login or Signup

Get the App

Login or Signup

Routes
Places to see
Lakes
North America
United States
Colorado
Arapahoe County

Bow Mar

Top 17 Lakes around Bow Mar

Best lakes around Bow Mar, Colorado, are central to the community's identity, known for its lakefront lifestyle. The town's name is derived from Bowles Lake and Marston Reservoir, underscoring its historical connection to these bodies of water. The area features a mix of recreational lakes and larger reservoirs, set against a backdrop of mountain views. This region offers diverse aquatic environments for exploration.

Best lakes around Bow Mar

  • The most popular lakes is Marjorie Perry Nature Preserve, a nature…

Last updated: June 24, 2026

Bear Creek Lake

Highlight • Lake

Bear Creek Lake Park spans 2,624 acres and is a great spot for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, as well as swimming, fishing, and boating year-round recreation. Open from April …

Tip by

See rides here

Send to Phone

Save

Big Soda Lake

Highlight • Lake

The Little Soda and Big Soda lakes offer a great view of the backcountry. The site is also remarkable for its biodiversity and the variety of birds that live there. Take the time to stop and watch.

Showing Translation

Tip by

Save

Sign up now to discover places like this

Get recommendations on the best single tracks, peaks, & plenty of other exciting outdoor places.

Sign up for free

Chatfield Reservoir

Highlight • Lake

Chatfield State Park is a 5,300-acre park featuring a 1,400-acre reservoir. There are a bunch of different trails, ponds, and natural areas to check out while you bike around the …

Tip by

Save

Explore the beauty of the Marjorie Perry Nature Preserve, with soft-surface trails winding through diverse habitats like grasslands, wetlands, and wooded areas. The preserve has views of the Rocky Mountains …

Tip by

Save

Chatfield Dam Trail (Paved Section)

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

This short, paved trail is wheelchair accessible and provides a vantage point to watch boats, appreciate the mountain views, or spectate the dog park! In the summer/spring bugs can be …

Tip by

Save

Sign up for free to discover even more lakes around Bow Mar.

Sign up for free

Already have an account?

Start today with a free account

Your next adventure awaits.

Login or Signup

Popular around Bow Mar

Hiking around Bow Mar

Road Cycling Routes around Bow Mar

MTB Trails around Bow Mar

Cycling around Bow Mar

Running Trails around Bow Mar

Gravel biking around Bow Mar

Tips from the Community

PaladinTodd
July 11, 2025, Chatfield Dam Trail (Paved Section)

overlook

0

0

The Chatfield Reservoir is a 1,423-acre lake in Chatfield State Park. There is a hiking path that runs alongside the water.

0

0

Alex
January 20, 2025, Bear Creek Lake

Bear Creek Lake Park spans 2,624 acres and is a great spot for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, as well as swimming, fishing, and boating year-round recreation. Open from April 1 to October 31, the campground is one of the closest full-service options near Denver. Visitors can also enjoy picnic shelters, paved and unpaved trails, an archery range, and scenic reservoirs.

1

0

Explore the beauty of the Marjorie Perry Nature Preserve, with soft-surface trails winding through diverse habitats like grasslands, wetlands, and wooded areas. The preserve has views of the Rocky Mountains and opportunities for birdwatching and other wildlife viewing. To protect the ecosystem, visitors must stay on designated trails.

2

0

This 59-acre preserve located along the High Line Canal is a great place for bird and wildlife watching and a scenic setting to run in.

0

0

Alex
February 7, 2024, Chatfield Reservoir

Chatfield Reservoir offers opertunity for fun activities like boating, biking, fishing, camping, and hiking. Established in the 1970s for flood control, the lake is now home to animals like deer and bald eagles. Chatfield Reservoir is water storage facility for the Denver area and features a marina for boaters.

0

0

Matthew
November 28, 2023, Chatfield Reservoir

Chatfield State Park is a 5,300-acre park featuring a 1,400-acre reservoir. There are a bunch of different trails, ponds, and natural areas to check out while you bike around the park. Some trails are rougher than others, but you can usually tell when you are turning onto a rough singletrack path versus a smoother gravel path.

0

0

Tyler Sanders
November 28, 2023, Big Soda Lake

This lake features a pleasant beach area that provides stunning views of the mountains in the background of the water. You'll witness various water activities in the area and even have the option to rent equipment like paddleboards.

0

0

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of lakes can I explore around Bow Mar?

The Bow Mar area offers a diverse range of lakes, from large reservoirs with extensive recreational facilities to quieter nature preserves. You'll find options like Bear Creek Lake, which is part of a large park, and the serene Marjorie Perry Nature Preserve, known for its wildlife.

Are there family-friendly lakes near Bow Mar?

Yes, several lakes in the area are great for families. Bear Creek Lake and Big Soda Lake both offer a variety of activities suitable for all ages, including swimming, picnicking, and water sports. The Marjorie Perry Nature Preserve is also family-friendly for nature walks and birdwatching.

What outdoor activities can I do at the lakes around Bow Mar?

You can enjoy a wide range of activities. At Bear Creek Lake, you can hike, bike, horseback ride, swim, fish, and boat. Big Soda Lake is popular for its beach area and water activities like paddleboarding, with equipment rentals available. Chatfield Reservoir also offers boating, biking, fishing, camping, and hiking.

Where can I find hiking and cycling trails near these lakes?

Many lakes offer trails directly. For example, Bear Creek Lake Park has extensive trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Chatfield Reservoir also features numerous trails. For more specific routes, you can explore guides like Road Cycling Routes around Bow Mar, MTB Trails around Bow Mar, and Cycling around Bow Mar, which include routes like the 'Mount Carbon Loop – Bear Creek Lake loop'.

Are there any lakes with beaches for swimming or relaxing?

Yes, Big Soda Lake features a pleasant beach area with stunning mountain views, perfect for swimming and relaxing. The private lake within Bow Mar also has a private beach for residents.

What kind of wildlife can I expect to see around the lakes?

The lakes and surrounding preserves are rich in biodiversity. At Marjorie Perry Nature Preserve, you can spot herons, ducks, pelicans, frogs, and turtles. Big Soda Lake is known for its variety of birds, and Chatfield Reservoir is home to animals like deer and bald eagles.

Are there any accessible trails or viewpoints near the lakes?

Yes, the Chatfield Dam Trail (Paved Section) is wheelchair accessible and offers great views of the boats, mountains, and a nearby dog park. Many other trails around the lakes are generally well-maintained, though specific accessibility can vary.

What is the historical significance of lakes in the Bow Mar area?

The town of Bow Mar itself is named after its historical connection to Bowles Lake and Marston Reservoir. These lakes, along with the private recreational lake within Bow Mar, have been central to the community's identity and development, originally supporting the area's agricultural past.

Can I rent equipment for water activities at any of the lakes?

Yes, at Big Soda Lake, you have the option to rent equipment for various water activities, such as paddleboards, allowing you to fully enjoy the lake.

What do visitors enjoy most about the lakes around Bow Mar?

Visitors frequently praise the stunning mountain views, the diverse range of outdoor activities available, and the peaceful natural settings. Many appreciate the opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife viewing, as well as the well-maintained trails for hiking and biking.

Are there opportunities for winter activities on the lakes?

While public access details for winter activities on all lakes vary, the private recreational lake within Bow Mar transforms into a venue for ice skating and ice hockey during the winter months for its residents, highlighting the area's versatility for year-round recreation.

Which lake is best for a scenic walk with mountain views?

For scenic walks with mountain views, Marjorie Perry Nature Preserve offers soft-surface trails with views of the Rocky Mountains. Big Soda Lake also provides stunning mountain backdrops from its beach area.

Most popular routes around Bow Mar

Hiking around Bow Mar

Most popular attractions around Bow Mar

Places to see

Store rating

Get inspired with the komoot mobile app

With a free komoot account, you can easily find, customize, and navigate endless outdoor adventures.

or

Join komoot Now

Store rating

Explore more

Still not found your perfect lake around Bow Mar? Check out the guides of these regions to see even more beautiful places.

CentennialEnglewoodLittletonGreenwood VillageCherry Hills VillageAuroraFour Square MileSheridanColumbine ValleyCherry CreekInvernessDove ValleyFoxfieldCherry Creek State Park

Nearby adventure guides

Things to Do around Columbine Valley

background

Get ready to conquer new peaks

Sign up for Free

Explore
RoutesRoute plannerFeaturesHikesMTB TrailsRoad cycling routesBikepackingSitemap
Download the app
Follow Us on Socials

© komoot GmbH

Privacy Policy