Fast Facts and Features:
- Acquired 1917
- Not so "little," it's 400 acres (162 ha)
- Fishing access along Bear Creek
Overview:
Little Park is tucked away at the west edge of the town of Idledale, formerly known as Starbuck. Access is from Highway 74 at the northern tip of the park, most of which lies south of Bear Creek. Devil's Gulch is the main drainage.
History:
Named after the donor, C.W. Little, Little Park was among Denver's first ten mountain parks. The historic shelter (right) once covered a well that provided water for travelers. It was modified during the CCC era (1930s) under the guidance of the National Park Service.
Related area:
The City and County of Denver acquired nearby Bear Creek Canyon Park in 1928. Bear Creek Canyon is a 400-foot strip (122 m) four miles (6.4 km) long from Morrison to Idledale along Bear Creek and Colorado State Highway 74. This Denver park consists of 130 acres (53 ha) of undeveloped open space in the foothills, and has fishing access.
Little Park also provides access to the popular Bear Creek Trail, which extends westward through Jefferson County's Lair o' the Bear Park as well as Corwina and O'Fallon Parks.
Location and Facilities:
Little Park is 21 miles (34 km) southwest of Denver and immediately west of Idledale on Hwy. 74 in Bear Creek Canyon.
Facilities in Little Park are trailhead and fishing.
The Denver Mountain Parks system is on the National Register of Historic Places as a multiple properties listing. All parks are considered natural areas, and all wildlife and plants are protected and preserved.