Park Programs and Events

A campfire program crowd watches a park ranger presentation.

Bear Creek Lake Park and the City of Lakewood Regional Parks Division offer a range of programs and events for all ages, including sunset and full moon hikes, archery and nature/wildlife education. There are also opportunities to host special events in city parks.

Browse the sections below to view upcoming activities.

Feature Programs 

Kids can become Jr. Rangers!

To become a Jr. Ranger, kids can pick up a booklet at the Bear Creek Lake Park Visitor Center or download it here(PDF, 8MB). Once completed, stop by the Visitor Center between 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and let our staff know. They'll call a ranger to swear them in and give them a badge! 

Dogs can become B.A.R.K. Rangers!

To become a B.A.R.K. Ranger, dogs and their owners can stop by the Bear Creek Lake Park Visitor Center to take the pledge and be sworn in by one of the rangers and receive their badge! B.A.R.K. Rangers Bag their waste, Always stay on a leash, Respect wildlife, and Know where they can go!

A group of people sit outside in a circle. Programs locations may vary; please register with an email to receive location updates. Hiking programs may take place on uneven terrain. For assistance, contact the Bear Creek Lake Park Visitor Center at 303-697-6159.

Browse all Programs

Adult Archery 

Come out to the Bear Creek Lake Park Archery Range to try your hand at archery! This adult only program is the perfect opportunity for you and your friends to learn about the skills, ethics, and practice of archery while getting a chance to sharpen your skills. All supplies included. Beginners only.

Family Archery

Join us for an evening archery session for families at the Bear Creek Archery Range! Instructors will teach range safety and the basics of shooting a bow, and after one-on-one instruction, participants will be able to practice sharpening their skills.

Bear Creek Birding
Come out and search for birds with Lakewood's Park Naturalists! We will explore different parks in search of our feathered friends, so bring your binoculars or cameras! Locations vary, please register with a valid email address to receive location information Registration is required. This programs is for ages 16 and above. 

Intro to Birding

Have you ever wondered who is hanging out in your own backyard? Curious about birding but don’t know where to start? Join our naturalists for a cup of coffee and to learn tips, tricks, and resources for learning and identifying common backyard birds.

BCLP Earth Day Event

Celebrate Earth Day by helping to make improvements to the Bear Creek Greenbelt. Projects will be outside and involve some manual labor. A light breakfast, lunch and tools will be provided.

BCLP Trout Tournament

The target fish for this event will be rainbow or brown trout and the winner will be determined by weight. This is a two-person team tournament that will take place on Bear Creek Reservoir. 

Summer Campfire Program

Join our park naturalists and special guests to learn about local animals, ecosystems, and conservation each week at the amphitheater.  Fires available based on current weather and restrictions.

Full Moon Night Hikes 
Leave those flashlights at home for this unique hiking adventure in the dark! We will head out under the light of the full moon to explore the natural world. These hikes are designed for the whole family, and each will average an hour and a half of walking on uneven terrain.

Sunset Hikes
Join these evening excursions with Lakewood’s Naturalists and see all the park has to offer before the night sets in! With a variety of wildlife to see and learn about, you are sure to have a great time!

Wildlife Tracking

Most mammals are hard to observe directly, so instead, we learn about their presence through the tracks and signs they leave behind. Tracking teaches us how to pay attention to our surroundings and to recognize signs of past events that are everywhere on the landscape. Join our Naturalists to learn how to identify who has passed through. Programs will begin with a 30 minute introduction to tracking indoors, followed by an hour out on the trail practicing your skills.

World Migratory Bird Day

World Migratory Bird Day is celebrated in the Northern Hemisphere on the second Saturday in May as birds return to their nesting sites for the summer. Our day will feature tables from Colorado organizations that work closely with bird conservation and education, activities, crafts, and live birds! Stop by and learn about birds here in the park and what you can do to protect them. There will be a birding walk from 7:30-9a.m. that requires registration, if you'd like to join follow the link below.

World Migratory Bird Day Walk

 


Educational Nature Programs

Educational nature programs are available for schools, preschools, homeschools, daycares, senior assisted living centers and boy/girl scouts. Topics include bats, bears, birds of prey, camping safety, ecosystems, insects, mammals, plants, scout badges and wetlands.

Learn More

 

A variety of events are permitted within the City of Lakewood's parks each year.  Special events within the city are regulated by Lakewood Municipal Code, sections 9.32.030 and 9.32.120.

Special events can include the following:

  • Any organized competitive or noncompetitive event
  • Non-recreational park uses
  • Commercial uses
  • Filming
  • Groups needing to reserve a park area
  • Group use involving more than 25 people
  • Rallies
  • Any other use that may conflict with established park uses, policies or rules.

Application Instructions

Reservations for all park picnic shelters are available through the end of the year. Pools and Surfside are open as of Memorial Day weekend. 

In order to host an event, an organizer must submit a completed event application form to the Regional Parks Supervisor for review and approval. Most events will also be required to submit a non-refundable application fee.  

Event Approval Guidelines

  • Based on the recommendations in the park Master Plan, trail-based events will not be allowed at William Frederick Hayden Park. Certain parking lot and educational events may be approved, including mountain bike demonstrations and filming permits.
  • Events requesting the use of the Bear Creek Greenbelt will need special review and may not be allowed. This park has limited parking and high use in a narrow corridor. It is not well-suited for large events.

Upcoming special events

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