Harlow West Park

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Parks

Colorado

Nearby: Harlow Park Cimarron Trail Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Harlow West Park is a beautiful park located in Arvada, Colorado.

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Summary

It covers an area of 50 acres and offers a wide range of recreational activities for visitors. The park has several good reasons to visit, including its scenic beauty, peaceful ambiance, and abundance of outdoor activities.

One of the main attractions of Harlow West Park is its extensive trail system. The park has several hiking trails, including the Ralston Creek Trail, which offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Visitors can also enjoy fishing and kayaking in the park's lake, which is stocked with trout and catfish.

There are several points of interest to see in Harlow West Park, including the nature center, which provides educational information about the park's flora and fauna. The park also has several picnic areas, playgrounds, and sports fields, making it a popular destination for families and outdoor enthusiasts.

Interesting facts about the area include the park's history as a former mining site and its proximity to the Rocky Mountains. The park is also home to several species of wildlife, including deer and bald eagles.

The best time of year to visit Harlow West Park is during the spring and summer months when the weather is warm and sunny. Visitors can enjoy hiking, fishing, and other outdoor activities in the park's beautiful surroundings.

Overall, Harlow West Park is an excellent destination for anyone looking to enjoy nature and outdoor recreational activities in Colorado. Its beautiful scenery, abundant wildlife, and diverse range of activities make it a must-visit location in the state.

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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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