N Standley Lake Open Space Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Standley Lake Open Space Park is a 2,220-acre park located in Westminster, Colorado.


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Summary

The park offers various outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, boating, and camping. It is home to Standley Lake, a reservoir that supplies drinking water to the cities of Westminster, Northglenn, and Thornton.

One of the main reasons to visit Standley Lake Open Space Park is for its scenic beauty and wildlife. The park has miles of trails that offer stunning views of the Rocky Mountains and the lake. Visitors can spot a variety of wildlife including bald eagles, ospreys, pelicans, and coyotes.

There are also several points of interest to see in the park such as the Nature Center, which offers educational exhibits and programs, and the Standley Lake Regional Park, which has playgrounds, picnic areas, and a swim beach.

Interesting facts about the area include that Standley Lake was created in 1909, and it was named after Mr. and Mrs. Standley, who were early settlers in the area. The lake has a maximum depth of 96 feet and covers 1,000 acres.

The best time of year to visit Standley Lake Open Space Park is during the summer months when the weather is warmer and the park is open for camping and boating. However, the park is open year-round and offers different activities depending on the season. In the winter, visitors can go ice fishing and snowshoeing on the lake.

In conclusion, Standley Lake Open Space Park is a beautiful and diverse park that offers plenty of outdoor activities and educational opportunities. It is a must-visit destination for anyone visiting the state of Colorado.

       

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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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