Berkeley Lake
A historic northwest Denver lake park with a flat shoreline loop and a full Front Range skyline to the west.
About Berkeley Lake
Berkeley Lake Park sits in the Berkeley neighborhood of northwest Denver, a short walk from the shops on Tennyson Street. The 83-acre park wraps around a 34-acre lake, with a walking path along the shore, mature cottonwoods and open lawns.
What makes it worth a photographer's time is the view west: from the east shore you look straight across the water to the foothills and higher peaks of the Front Range. On a calm evening the lake turns into a mirror for the sunset, and in winter snow-covered peaks rise above the treeline across the water.
It is an easy, flat, any-season spot — ideal for a quick sunset session close to home, a blue-hour city walk, or practicing with long lenses on the waterfowl that use the lake.
A 1.1-mile loop in Wheat Ridge, easy enough for any skill level and popular with walkers, runners, birdwatchers, and anglers alike. Dogs are welcome on leash — a solid close-to-home option when a full mountain trip isn't in the cards, and the resident waterfowl make it worth carrying a longer lens even on a short walk.
History
John Brisben Walker settled the land in 1879, using the lake to irrigate alfalfa fields and later adding a racetrack and resort. Denver acquired the site in 1906, and it became part of George Kessler's 1907 plan for the city's park and parkway system. Denver's first public golf course opened north of the lake by 1910, and the William H. Smiley Branch of the Denver Public Library was built in the park.
Landscape architect S. R. DeBoer reworked the park's roads and plantings in 1927. Interstate 70 cut through just north of the lake in the 1960s, separating it from the golf course. The park was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986 as part of the Denver Park and Parkway System, and the lake was drained for improvements in 2011.
Photographing Berkeley Lake
Best light: Sunset from the east shore is the signature shot, with the sky and the Front Range reflected in the lake. Calm winter evenings give the cleanest reflections and snow on the peaks, while autumn adds gold cottonwoods along the shoreline.
Shots to look for
- The Front Range skyline reflected in the lake from the east shore at sunset, wide to normal lens, centered horizon for symmetry
- A telephoto compression of the snow-capped peaks above the far treeline, especially after a winter storm
- Cottonwood silhouettes against a colorful afterglow sky
- Waterfowl on the lake at golden hour with a 300mm or longer
- The historic library or park structures with fall color in the morning
Photo tips
- Wind usually drops right around sunset — wait it out for the reflection
- I-70 runs just north of the lake; frame to keep the highway out or use it for blue-hour light trails
- Street parking around the park is easiest on weekday evenings
- A graduated ND helps balance a bright western sky with the darker shoreline
Know before you go
- This is a city park — follow Denver park hours and rules
- Swimming is not allowed
- The shoreline path is flat and easy for all abilities
- Tennyson Street restaurants are a few blocks away for a post-sunset meal
Prints from Berkeley Lake
Every photo is available as a print on metal, canvas, wood or fine art paper.
Frequently asked questions
How big is Berkeley Lake?
The lake covers about 34 acres inside the 83-acre Berkeley Lake Park in northwest Denver.
Can you see the mountains from Berkeley Lake?
Yes. From the east shore you look west across the water to the Front Range, which makes it a favorite local sunset spot.
Can you swim in Berkeley Lake?
No. The lake is used for fishing and walking, not swimming.
Featured in: Easy Colorado Hikes With Big Views
Combine it with
Rocky Mountain Lake Park · Sloan's Lake · Tennyson Street · Clear Creek Trail
More Colorado spots
Colorado State Capitol, Denver · Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR, Commerce City · Arapaho Pass
Sources & further reading: tclf.org · denverite.com · historycolorado.org. Conditions, fees and rules change; check with the managing agency before you go.