Barr Lake State Park, State nature park in Adams County, Colorado

Barr Lake State Park is a nature reserve in Adams County built around a large reservoir surrounded by cottonwood forests and wetland areas. The water and surrounding habitats support a wide variety of plants and animals.

Barr Lake State Park was established in 1977 in Adams County near Brighton. The lake is fed by the Burlington Ditch, diverted from the South Platte River, and takes its name from a railroad official named Barr. The park covers 2,715 acres.

The lake takes its name from a railroad official called Mr. Barr. A nature center and several wildlife viewing stations sit in the southern half, a refuge where visitors watch the wintering bald eagles and the more than 350 bird species recorded in the park.

The park covers 2,715 acres and holds 12 miles of trails, among them an 8.8-mile loop around Barr Lake. Fishing and boating are permitted only in the northern half; the southern half is a wildlife refuge. The Bird Conservancy of the Rockies headquarters stands on the northwest side of the lake.

The southern section functions as a bird protection zone and is a hotspot for birdwatchers from across the region. Those who visit with binoculars can spot hundreds of bird species in their natural habitats.