Colorado Parks and Wildlife received a recreational lease for Barr Lake State Park in 1975 and two years later Barr Lake State Park opened to the public. Today birders from all over the world arrive at Barr Lake seeking to add new and interesting birds to their extensive life list. Hopeful anglers fish for trout, wipers, and more from the shores and the waters of the north side of the lake. Hikers, bikers and joggers seek solace along the Lake Perimeter Trail. Although the bison, elk, and pronghorn are gone, hearing the evening chorus of the coyote, watching bald eagles fledge, or simply enjoying the sunset over a peaceful prairie reservoir will remind each of us that Barr Lake has always been an oasis for wildlife and people.

Throughout its history, the Barr Lake area has been an oasis for wildlife and people. Over 150 years ago, the Barr Lake area was a bison wallow. This natural depression in the prairie collected and held water in the spring. Bison, wolves, and elk congregated in the area, taking advantage of available water. Pronghorn antelope roamed the lush mixed-grass prairie adjacent to the wallow. Abundant wildlife attracted American Indians to the area as well. Arapaho, Cheyenne, and even Ute hunted the area seasonally.

The 1860s brought Spanish steers and the cowboys to the Barr Lake area. Nutrient rich grasses and water from the wallow made for an important rest stop on the way from Texas to Wyoming on the Goodnight-Loving Trail.

The darkest chapter in the history of Barr Lake was in the 50s and 60s. Located downstream from Denver, Barr was the unwilling recipient of Denvers untreated wastewater for over 70 years. In 1964 and 1965, clean water legislation and the flood of 65 literally flushed Barr Lake clean.

All Colorado State Parks have entrance fees. All vehicles are required to have an entrance pass and some parks have walk-in fees. Visit the Colorado Park Entrance Pass web page.