Charles Whitlock Recreational Park

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Parks

Colorado

Nearby: James J Richey Park Crown Hill Open Space Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Charles Whitlock Recreational Park is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts in Colorado.

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Summary

The park offers a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, fishing, and camping. One of the main draws of the park is its location on the banks of the South Platte River, which offers prime fishing spots for trout and other species.

Another point of interest in the park is the Charlie Meyers State Wildlife Area, which is adjacent to the park and offers additional opportunities for fishing, hunting, and wildlife viewing. The park also features several picnic areas, playgrounds, and sports fields for visitors to enjoy.

Interesting facts about the area include its history as a site for Native American hunting and fishing, as well as its use as a stagecoach stop in the 1800s. Today, the park is named after Charles Whitlock, a former mayor of the nearby town of Parker who was instrumental in securing the land for the park.

The best time of year to visit Charles Whitlock Recreational Park depends on the activities you plan to participate in. Spring and fall are popular for fishing, while summer is a great time for camping and hiking. Winter brings opportunities for ice fishing and snowshoeing. Visitors should be aware that the park can be busy on weekends and holidays, so planning ahead is recommended.

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.

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