Moving to Denver is a great idea for so many reasons, not the least of which is all the green space it offers. The city and county of Denver collectively offer more than 200 parks over 5,000 acres. Best part is, each park is open year round, whether you’re looking for walking trails or lakes for boating, according to Uncover Colorado.
Whether you choose to spend a couple of hours at one of the many city parks or a whole day or two at a state park, you can’t go wrong with any of these choices.
City Parks
The most popular city parks in Denver include:
- Washington Park
- Cheesman Park
- City Park
- Confluence Park
- Sloan’s Lake Park
- Civic Center Park
- Berkeley Park
- Central Park
Washington Park
This is located in close proximity to Denver’s most popular neighborhoods. Flat and great for playing sports and pickup games, Washington Park boasts a huge grassy field perfect for playing volleyball, having a picnic or walking the dog. There’s a 2.6 mile outer loop for running, too.
Cheesman Park
Quiet and grassy, Cheesman Park is a great spot for relaxation. Its claim to fame is the Pavilion, which was built in 1910. Watch a free movie in the park in summer, or enjoy the Denver Botanic Gardens in back.
City Park
This blend of wooded areas and wide-open lawns is located next to Uptown and the Denver Zoo. There’s always something to play and see here, from kickball and soccer to flag football and softball. You can even fish in the pond or enjoy the Sunday concert series during summer.
Confluence Park
Cherry Creek and South Platte River come to a point right in the middle of this scenic park. It’s a part of the greater Riverfront Park trail system, which boasts a separate bike-only lane. Check out the dog park or rent a kayak.
Sloan’s Lake Park
This is the largest lake in Denver, making it ideal for water sports of all kinds such as boating, fishing and Jet skiing. It’s also possible to circle the whole lake. In your car for some stellar views. Walk, jog or bike along the paved trail, or play on the tennis courts and soccer fields.
Civic Center Park
Rich in history and art, this park is located in an interesting area surrounded by the Capitol, Art Museum and downtown skyscrapers. Even though it’s in the heart of the city, people love to pick a grassy spot and sunbathe or have a picnic at lunch. Check out the many free festivals held all year long, such as Cinco de Mayo, Veterans Day Parade, and the Taste of Colorado.
Berkeley Park
Boasting a big lake and beautiful mountain views, Berkeley Park has a nice lakeside trail, open fields and a dog park.
Central Park
With gentle rolling hills and a panoramic view of Pikes Peak, Mount Evans, and Longs Peak, you can’t go wrong visiting Central Park for amazing views, relaxation and a good look at nature.
State Parks
There are also many state parks in the Denver area. Those include:
Castlewood Canyon State Park
Located 45 minutes southeast of downtown Denver, this park has beautiful forests and 60-foot canyon walls with lots of trails along Cherry Creek. Here, you’ll get the best and most convenient boulder and climbing spots near the city.
Roxborough State Park
Just 40 minutes from downtown, this park has stunning rock formations. You’ll love it for its extensive trail network of trails, ranging from .25 miles to eight miles.
Cherry Creek State Park
Just 20 minutes from downtown, this is one of Denver’s largest and best known state parks made up of 4,400 acres of grasslands and woods. It’s highlighted by an 880-acre reservoir that supplies the city with water. Enjoy three dozen miles of trails, shooting/archery range, airfield for remote-controlled planes, and an on-site stable. You can even camp all year long here.
The reservoir has a nice sandy beach where you can go swimming, or use kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, sail boats and motorboats.
Chatfield State Park
Nestled in the foothills, this park features the 1,400-acre Chatfield Reservoir where you can go boating, swimming and fishing. It’s worth the visit for the views of the mountains alone! Take a scenic hike, take a hot air balloon ride, or fly your remote-controlled plane in the airfield. Bring Fido to the 100+ acre off-leash dog park.
Barr Lake State Park
Just 30 minutes from downtown Denver, this park’s big feature is a 1,900-acre reservoir, where you can go fishing and use watercraft like sailboats and motorboats. Part of the lake is actually a nature preserve great for bird watching and enjoying views of Longs Peak and surrounding mountains.
Take a walk along the boardwalks and gazebos where you can check out more than 350 species of birds and perhaps even a bald eagle. There’s a nine-mile trail that encircles the lake too.
Boyd Lake State Park
An hour from Denver is Boyd Lake State Park, totaling 1,700 acres. It’s the largest lake along the northern Front Range, originally designed as a wildlife refuge but became a state-maintained recreation area later on. Here, you can go fishing, boating, and swimming, or walk along the extensive trail network that goes right through the city of Loveland. There are nearly 150 recreational vehicle sites here so you can go camping for a few days or weeks while exploring the northern front range.
We hope we have helped you plan out which parks you will visit in Denver on the weekend!
Contact Moving Proz
If you’re gearing up for a move to Denver, start off with a free moving quote. We can help you get settled into your new home so you can start enjoying all the parks the Denver area has to offer!
