Bear Creek Greenbelt

Natural Preserve

Bear Creek Greenbelt is a 379-acre natural preserve located in Lakewood, Colorado. The park parallels Bear Creek, offering a continuous trail connection and wildlife corridor stretching from Wadsworth Boulevard west to Bear Creek Lake Park.

The greenbelt features diverse ecosystems including wetlands, fishing ponds, and riparian forests. These habitats provide abundant wildlife viewing opportunities for visitors.

Wildlife and Recreation

The area is home to various bird species, making it a popular spot for birdwatching enthusiasts.

A paved multi-use trail, known as the Bear Creek Trail, runs through the greenbelt. This trail is approximately 7 miles long, beginning near C-470 and Morrison Road and extending east to Wadsworth Boulevard and Denver.

The trail receives significant use, with over 450,000 people visiting annually for activities such as walking, hiking, biking, and fishing.

Connected Parks

The park offers a blend of natural beauty and recreational facilities. It contains several parks connected by the Bear Creek multi-use trail, including Bear Creek Park, Bear Valley Park, and Bear Creek Lake Park.

These areas provide additional paths and amenities for visitors to enjoy.

Recent Improvements

In recent years, the city has undertaken improvement projects to enhance the trail experience and mitigate user conflicts. These improvements include widening sections of the concrete trail to 10 feet, adding a parallel soft surface trail, and enhancing signage for safety and wayfinding.