The Best Parks in Denver You Should Visit

Washington Park is one of the most popular spots in the city all year with its indoor activities. Nicknamed ‘Wash Park’ by locals, it consists of a large space with two lakes, vibrant flower gardens and unique playgrounds with numerous recreation areas. The park also has extensive sports areas and fitness options, including a recreation center with bicycle and walking pathways, an indoor pool, and a crushed granite jogging path. For outdoor activities, enjoy the lawn bowling and croquet area or the soccer fields and tennis courts. Washington Park, S Downing St & E Louisiana Ave Denver, CO 80209 720-865-3400

Cheesman Park is a runners’ haven, with its granite jogging paths winding through the park. It’s also popular with families due to its large playground with swings and slides.The interior is great for organized games like volleyball and flag football, and those going for a stroll will enjoy the structure such as the Neo-classical pavilion. You can also find sweeping vistas from the Cheesman Memorial Pavilion to the Front Range view in this park that used to be a cemetery.Cheesman Park, 1599 E 8th St Denver, CO 80206, No phone listed

The extensive park is the equivalent of New York City’s Central Park. City Park has 314 landscaped areas featuring a golf course, vibrant flower gardens, and beautifully sculpted fountains as well as lakes and green spaces for picnicking. City Park also holds some of Denver’s most popular attractions, like the Denver Museum of Nature & Science and the Denver Zoo. Here you can also find the best views of the city’s skyline as well as the Rocky Mountain Front Range, making it the most scenic and exciting park in town.City Park, 17th Ave Colorado Blvd Denver, CO 80238 720-913-1311

With a towering 300-foot sandstone formation and 200-mile panoramic view of Denver and its plains, Red Rocks Park is a achievement of master planning that incorporates naturalistic features and metropolitan class. The amphitheater built into the red rock tops many lists for concert venues with its natural acoustics and design, and is a must-go to spot if visiting. It also incorporates history with its Mount Morrison Civilian Conservation Camp, and you can also hike and bike the rest stone cliffs in the 868 acres of pines, prarie and dinosaur bones with sweeping vistas overlooking Denver. It is also now a registered National Historic Park.Red Rocks Park, 18300 West Alameda Pkwy Morrison, CO 80465 720-865-2494

Nestled in the Highlands neighborhood, Sloan’s Lake Park is a like an oasis in an urban pocket. During summer months, you can find water skiers riding across the lake with scenic views of the ‘Mile High’ city’s skyline. The 177-acre-park is a perfect spot for picnicking or grilling, and every year, check out the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival, an Asian American celebration featuring a slew of dragon boats that fill the lake.Sloan’s Lake Park, 1700 S Sheridan Blvd Denver, CO 80232 720-913-1311

Located in the heart of Downtown Denver, Civic Center Park is also teaming with tourists and locals. The plaza is surrounded by official government buildings, and is right around the corner from both the Denver Art Museum and the Denver Public Library. In the summer months, you can find Civic Center EATS with food trucks every Tuesday and Thursday, or a major urban event like Cinco de Mayo or PrideFest taking place in the center of it all.Civic Center Park, 101 W 14th Ave Pkwy Denver, CO 80202 303-861-4633

Located in Denver’s downtown at the confluence of Cherry Creek and the South Platte River, visitors can kayak or watch the kayakers on the rapids in their custom-designed chutes, or you can sunbathe on the sandy bank of the scenic river in this mix of civilization and wild outdoors. In the summer, Confluence hosts a free concert series every Thursday from evening to dusk. The park is conveniently close to the Downtown Aquarium and Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park as well.Confluence Park, 2250 15th St Denver, CO 80202 720-913-1311By Lauren Gruber