Bear Creek Lake Park

Trail construction

Overlook Trail Project

The current alignment of the Overlook Trail where it diverges from the Mt. Carbon Loop Trail is a straight-shot along the fall line of the area topography. The trail is degrading due to poor drainage, erosion, and severe trail braiding, this is causing the trail to become a safety hazard. The area is suitable for realignment that will improve overall sustainability of the soft surface trail.  Construction will begin the week of October 21st and will take several weeks to complete.

UPDATE 11/18: Due to construction of utilities and safety concerns, the C-470 trail will be closed Aug. 19 - Dec. 31.

Events and park areas impacted:

4/17 – Adult Archery 5:30 - 7p.m. Registration required.

4/20 – Earth Day Volunteer Event Located in the Greenbelt. Registration required.

4/24 – Family Archery 5:30 - 7p.m. Registration required.

4/27 – BCLP Trout Fishing Tournament Bear Creek Reservoir. Registration required.

5/4 – Rocky Mountain Orienteering Club Meet

5/11 – Migratory Bird Day at the Bear Creek Lake Park Visitor Center  

5/18 – Paddle the Rockies SUP Race Big Soda Lake

5/22 – Adult Archery 5:30 - 7p.m. Registration required.

5/29 – Family Archery 5:30-  7p.m. Registration required.

June and July– Summer Campfire Program Every Saturday at 7:30 pm at the visitor center, no registration required!

6/1 – National Trails Day

6/1 – Let’s Go Fishing. Registration Required.

6/26, 7/24– Melee Mountain Bike Race Series

September -Lakewood Trail Running Series. Come out to Bear Creek Lake Park on Wednesday evenings in September for in-person races.

9/7 – Littlefoot Triathlon. Expect impact to most park roads and trails.

9/14 – Paddle the Rockies SUP Race

9/28 – National Public Lands Day

9/28 & 9/29 The Bear Chase Race Endurance Festival is a 100K, 50 Mile, 50K, Half Marathon and the Baby Bear 10K trail race. Expect runners on most park trails

10/12 – Experience Haunted Trail Bear Creek Lake Park in all its magic with an evening of ghostly trails and tales! Costumes encouraged.

10/19 – Great Trailhead Race. Expect runners on most park trails. Haunted Trail is also taking place. Expect trail closures on Owl Trail.

12/21 – Winter Solstice. Celebrate the first day of winter with a guided night hike. At the hikes, conclusion gather around the campfire for a marshmallow roast and celebration.

General: $10-15
$15 Surge Price (includes all Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays between Memorial Day and Labor Day)
Seniors (age 62 and older): $5
Person with Disabilities: $5 

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. All parks except Bear Creek Lake Park use the Community and Event Application.

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.  

Community and Event Application

Bear Creek Lake Park Event Application(PDF, 562KB)

Accessible copy of BCLP Event Application(PDF, 472KB)

Photo/Video Permit Request

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.