It’s tough to stay indoors in Denver. With sun and blue skies practically year-round, plus mountain views and an outdoorsy culture, people here just want to be outside. Luckily, with over 200 parks and open spaces, the city makes it easy to do just that. From walking paths and playgrounds to skate parks and kayaking spots, there’s someplace for just about everyone.
Confluence Park
A small park tucked into downtown Denver, Confluence Park offers terraced lawns, dramatic skyscraper views, and water play. The South Platte River and Cherry Creek meet here, creating a small beach and shallow waters that are filled with families during the summer; a short white-water section entices kayakers and tubers. The Cherry Creek Trail starts here too, meandering 40 miles through Denver-metro’s urban landscapes and green spaces—a popular trail for cyclists.
Commons Park
Commons Park is nestled between the South Platte River and the swanky LoDo neighborhood, just next to Confluence Park. This nexus of sorts is popular with Denver’s urban set, its verdant hills lined with curving bike paths and a waterfront trail. Modern works of art dot the landscape. To the south stands the impossible-to-miss Millennium Bridge, with its towering 200-ft mast-like cable structure; it connects Commons Park to the 16th Street Mall, a pedestrian walkway traversing downtown Denver. In the other direction, a second bridge crosses the river into LoHi, one of Denver’s trendiest neighborhoods. And to the north is Denver Skate Park, a 60,000 sq ft cement gathering place for some of the best skaters in town.
City Park
City Park is the largest of Denver’s municipal parks: a 330-acre megastar just east of downtown. Jogging trails and paved walkways crisscross the leafy park while two lakes are popular for fishing and paddle-boating. Sprawling playgrounds and a splash pad, as well as lighted tennis courts, create a fantastic atmosphere. The park is home to the superb Denver Zoo and the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, both located on the north side.
Ruby Hill Bike Park
Ruby Hill Bike Park is a gem, a seven-acre park cut into a neighborhood of warehouses. Rippled pump tracks, a skills course, even steep ramps and wall rides make this a challenging venue for all levels of riders. Observation areas along an outer loop provide a great vantage point to enjoy watching experts catch air as well as to keep an eye on kids on pedal-less bikes riding their first dirt tracks.
Washington Park
Lush playing fields, sparkling lakes, and vast flower gardens characterize Wash Park. One of the gardens is a replica of Martha Washington’s garden at Mt. Vernon. It features a tree-lined jogging loop and extensive bike paths, as well as a bustling rec center with an indoor pool, weight, and cardio rooms. During the summer, lawns are crowded with volleyball nets, and the lakes are dotted with paddle boarders. Wash Park is set in an upscale neighborhood with historic homes and welcoming eateries.
Cheeseman Park
Cheeseman Park is a historic park located in its namesake neighborhood, known for being one of the most LGBTIQ+-friendly areas in Denver. The city’s annual PrideFest parade starts here, filling the park with rainbow flags and celebratory spirit. Throughout the rest of the year, Cheeseman is popular for its jogging paths and wide grassy spaces, ideal for sunning, picnicking, and volleyball games. The park is also notorious for its paranormal activity, attracting ghost hunters year-round.
Paco Sánchez Park
Dr. Seuss meets Denver’s west side at Paco Sánchez Park, a hilly expanse of open space with one of the best playgrounds in town. Eye-popping play structures include zip-lines, aerial walking loops, and psychedelic climbing structures—all sturdy enough for parents to join in the fun. The center of the park features a 30-ft climbing tower shaped like a vintage microphone, honoring the park’s namesake, a radio pioneer who launched Denver’s first Spanish-language radio station.
Golden History Park
Take a peek into homesteader life at Golden History Park, which features a re-created pioneer settlement. The grounds showcase original 19th-century buildings like a cabin, a schoolhouse, and even an antique chicken coop. Open and free to the public, visitors can wander or take self-guided tours. Volunteers sometimes staff the site in period dress, acting as guides and sharing insights about life in the Wild West.
Lair o’ the Bear
Lair o’ the Bear is a popular Front Range park just 20 miles west of downtown Denver. It offers shady mountainous terrain with a gurgling creek running through it. A network of easy to moderate trails makes hiking with young ones manageable, while anglers are drawn to the thriving trout population. Picnic tables can be found throughout the park, and a small pavilion often serves as a spot for educational nature talks.
Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge
Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge is one of the country’s largest urban refuges. Located on the outskirts of Denver, this former chemical weapons production facility now boasts over 330 species of wildlife, including bison and bald eagles. The park features over ten miles of hiking trails passing through wetlands, woodlands, and grasslands, while its lakes are popular weekend fishing spots. Don’t forget to visit the Visitor Center, which includes a well-curated exhibit hall along with a hands-on ‘Discovery Room’ for kids.
