Chatfield Dam, located southwest of Denver on the South Platte River, was the second of three dams built to protect the Denver region from floods. The 1,479-acre land and the 5,300 acres surrounding it provide a myriad of recreational opportunities including camping, fishing, and swimming. Chatfield Nature Preserve for environmental studies and the old Hildebrand Homestead, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, are open to visitors.