BRIGHTON, Colo. (KDVR) — Barr Lake State Park has just been given national recognition as being one of 13 best parks nationwide by Leave No Trace, a national nonprofit based in Boulder.

Sitting smack dab in Brighton on 27,000 acres is Barr Lake. It was named after a surveyor back in the late 1800s.

Built in 1977 when there was not really a lot to do around the area, but now visitors can come and hunt, fish, hike and bike and a lot more.

“We are bigger than Cherry Creek and Chatfield, you can boat on the whole northern part which is about 1,000 surface acres,“ said park manager Michelle Seubert.

Seubert has been at Barr Lake for 13 years and has personally seen it grow.

“We’ve seen it increase in visitation, we’ve also added a lot of different amenities, whether it’s our archery range, hunting, paddle-board rentals,” said Seubert.

Barr Lake has also grown into the national spotlight. It was just awarded the gold standard by Leave No Trace. Only 12 other parks in the country enjoy that recognition.

“It means we are leaders and we can be an example to others and to help others,” said Seubert.

The Pheasants Forever organization also played a big role in the national award, according to Seubert.

“Partners are important because they help us get the word out and Pheasants Forever is our partner in hunting and conservation,” said Seubert.

For a lake that is larger than Cherry Creek and Chatfield Reservoir, it has managed to avoid the limelight all these years. Until now that is.