South Platte Park

South Platte Park South Platte Park features 880 acres of open space along the South Platte River in Littleton. Social Media Policy: https://bit.ly/42vJfU3 Managed by S.

Trails, lakes, wildlife, educational programs, and friendly staff at Carson Nature Center await at this urban escape. South Platte Park is an 878-acre natural open space with 2 mi of river, 4 mi of natural surface trails, 2.5 miles of the regional paved Greenway trail, 300+ species of wildlife, fishing in 5 lakes, and the Carson Nature Center which runs school field trips, adult and family program

s, and has exhibits and live animals. Suburban Pk and Rec, owned by Littleton. Park is open sunrise (gates by 6:30 am) to sunset daily, the nature center hours are 12 - 4:30 Tues - Fri and 9:30 - 4:30 on weekends. An alternative access point and parking is available of South Platte Canyon Road, 5198 S. Platte Reservoir Access, Rd. www.ssprd.org/nature

06/18/2026

We have a flapper. Chicks are all getting active but still very awkward.

06/15/2026

Chicks are moving around, more active, and sitting up now. The eldest seems to be ready to perch upright, and will look you in the eye!

06/12/2026

Did you ever feel like Mom and Dad were always hovering over you, watching your every move? Talk about helicopter parenting!

06/09/2026

Bigger by the day! Videos include today's feeding time. Nap time during a stiff breeze, and overnight sleeping.

Parking fees will be in effect on weekends for the South lots off Platte Canyon Road, Saturdays and Sundays from 9 am to...
06/09/2026

Parking fees will be in effect on weekends for the South lots off Platte Canyon Road, Saturdays and Sundays from 9 am to 4 pm again this summer, at least through July 4 weekend, $10 per spot, pay upon occupying spot by QR code. Tubing conditions are TERRIBLE as flows have barely reached 15 cfs this year and are often at 6 to 8 cfs. We recommend 50 cfs as the bare minimum! At 15 cfs, the mats of algae are thick, the water is warm and barely moving, half of the flow is treated effluent from Highlands Ranch wastewater plant, and aquatic life is stressed. Please head to South Suburban pools or the local reservoirs to cool off this year as the river is just an ankle-deep trickle!

06/06/2026

Aaaaand, we're back to sticks. YOU get a stick, and YOU get a stick . . . . Babies are growing so fast!

Just hanging around this weekend?You might spot these two helping each other out near Carson Nature Center! We’ve teamed...
06/04/2026

Just hanging around this weekend?
You might spot these two helping each other out near Carson Nature Center!
We’ve teamed up with Hudson Gardens for an epic, free summer Gnome Scavenger Hunt, and our little bearded friends are waiting for you to find them!
Here is how to join the fun:
• The Hunt: Follow nature and history clues along the trails to spot the hidden gnomes.
• The Route: Hunt at Carson Nature Center, Hudson Gardens & Event Center or conquer both!
• The Reward: Bring your completed hunt to the visitor desk at either location (during open hours) to claim your prize.
• Start: https://hudsongardens.org/hudson-gardens-and-south-platte-park-gnome-scavenger-hunt/
Come stretch your legs, pack a picnic, and see how many you can track down. Just remember to leave the gnomes in their secret homes so they can keep hanging around all summer long!

06/04/2026

With the temps rising, parenting turns from incubation to providing shade for 3 to 4 weeks until chicks have their own protective feathers. This is quaintly called "mom-brella-ing". In extreme heat, adults may even go dip in the water to act like an evaporative cooler over the chicks!

06/02/2026

The kids are growing so fast!

Lunch by mom while dad keeps a watchful eye on the sky.

05/27/2026

An intense afternoon at the osprey nest.

The siblings are getting pretty aggressive with one another as the fight for resources intensifies. This type of aggression is common, and not all siblings survive through fledging, unfortunately.

On top of that, the parents have to be ever vigilant for other raptors that are interested in a quick snack. In this video, the male takes off in pursuit of the aggressor.

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3000 W Carson Drive
Littleton, CO
80120

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