Best Natural Parks Nearby Denver Near Me

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"One of our favorite states parks near Denver."

4worldlovers: Paddle boards, kayaks, bo​​​ats, and jet skis are allowed to include during the boating season, which starts April 1.

Please bring your own hand sanitizer. There may be no running water available.

Cherry Creek Reservoir is CLOSED to all boating/watercraft including paddleboards, kayaks and canoes.

To reserve camping, visit CPWShop.com or call 1-800-244-5613 (open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week).

Please use cpwshop.com to purchase annual passes, dog off-leash passes, fishing licenses, watercraft registrations, or the park's self-service stations to purchase passes for day use.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Welcome to Denver’s natural and spacious backyard playground. There’s so much to see and enjoy. ​Summers are busy and action packed while off-peak times are quiet and laid back. Anchored around a 880 surface acre reservoir, the park offers a natural prairie environment of gentle, rolling hills and complete outdoor recreation facilities, including camping, picnicking and facilities for group events.

See the Cherry Creek Water temperature conditions application for up to the minute water information.

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"The nature center is a great stop off on a hot day while biking with kids"

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"... early days of european settlers coming to Denver..."

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"It's a beautiful country feel right in Denver.."

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"Great state park within minutes of Denver or Boulder."

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"A great place to escape into nature on the border of Denver and Aurora."

4worldlovers: BLNC educates individuals to be engaged, resilient, and curious; conserves a natural area in the city; furthers equity in outdoor access; and nurtures the health and well-being of communities and ecosystems.

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"Great place to pretend you are in nature in the middle of the suburbs."

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"The 1st State Park I stayed at when first come to Colorado"

Business: Denver's park system includes more than 250 urban parks along with off-street trails, historic parkways, natural areas and more. Find all park-related information such as rules and regulations, amenit

4worldlovers:
Find a City and County Denver park with our interactive map.


Find rules and policies for park and facility use, along with frequently asked questions.


Denver's trail system connects neighborhoods throughout the city. Many follow scenic waterways, offering a pleasant route for both cyclists and pedestrians.


Denver Parks and Recreation recently completed a Strategic Acquisition Plan which provides a framework for decision-making when completing and funding future parkland acquisitions. Learn about recent and current acquisition projects.


Learn more about the types of amenities that can be found in Denver parks such as pickleball courts, fountains, disc golf and more.


DPR's Dog Park page offers useful information regarding dog parks around the city, rules and regulations, maintenance and closures, as well as technical updates.


The mission of Denver Park Rangers is to maximize public safety, protect park resources and provide service to visitors.


Several bike parks are available for riders of all ages and skill levels.


DPR uses a multi-strategy approach to reduce damage while assessing environmental resiliency, cost, and most importantly, staff and public safety.

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"Great place to enjoy nature close to denver"

4worldlovers:
Lookout Mountain Nature Center staff and volunteer naturalists inspire kids and adults to connect with the natural world. Interactive exhibits take visitors on a tour of the flora and fauna of the foothills ecosystem. Kids enjoy a hands-on play room and observation room. The Nature Center offers free naturalist-led programs in every season for individuals, families, and schools and groups. Visitors can also enjoy a walk through the nature preserve while visiting.


Beaver Brook Trail provides hiker only connections to Windy Saddle Park and Denver Mountain Parks’ Genesee Park.


Jeffco Open Space Educators offer programs throughout the year covering the county’s wildlife, plants, history and more!


Open daily, one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset. Hiker only.

Beaver Brook Trail is a challenging hiker only trail connecting Clear Creek Canyon Park, Denver Mountain Parks' Genesee Mountain Park, and Windy Saddle Park. View Beaver Brook Trail Map

*Notice: This trail crosses multiple jurisdictions beyond land owned/managed by Jeffco Open Space and may fall under different regulations.

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"Nice site for a walk on Denver's west side"

Business: Get outside and enjoy your local parks! Harriman Lake Park is cooperatively managed by Foothills Park & Recreation District and Denver Water.

4worldlovers: This park features Harriman Lake and the upland prairie habitat surrounding the lake. A 1.43 mile natural surface loop trail surrounds the lake. Improvements at the park have been intentionally limited to preserve the natural integrity of the park.

Amenities are intentionally limited to help maintain the natural integrity of the park. Two covered picnic tables are available on the south side of the lake.

Harriman Lake is an irrigation ditch fed lake. It is 70 surface acres with an average depth of 15’ – 18’. All Colorado Division of Wildlife Fishing Regulations apply. Swimming, boating, wading, belly boats, and ice fishing are prohibited.

Harriman Lake Park is a cooperative effort between Foothills and Denver Water. Denver Water owns the lake and most of the land surrounding it. Foothills leases the recreation rights from Denver Water. This park was dedicated on October 21, 1995. An 11-acre parcel southwest of the lake was leased to Foothills from Jefferson County Open Space in 1995. From December 2011 – February 2013, Denver Water replaced the dam with a new earthen one to satisfy regulatory requirements and bring it to its full capacity for storage.

From the intersection of S. Kipling Pkwy. and W. Quincy Ave. head south on S. Kipling Pkwy to the park entrance and parking lot on the west side of S. Kipling Pkwy. Note: Vehicle access to the parking lot is from southbound Kipling only.

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"Nice little park in North Denver!!!"

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"I really enjoy walking around the park for exercise and sitting and ..."

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"You forget you're in the middle of a big city when surrounded by the ..."

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"Majestic View park is a great place for a short walk (about 1 mile) on ..."

4worldlovers: The Nature Center is the City of Arvada’s environmental education facility. We offer many school and group programs to engage kids with nature. Using the nature trails, wetland areas and prairie ecosystems to explore, we connect thousands of kids with Arvada’s parks to better understand nature.

We also provide programs for everyone with our public programming, from toddlers to adults, to connect all ages in our community with the wonder of nature. From nature art to drop in discoveries to conservation presentations to family campfire series, you can find almost any nature topic. For quick answer, visit our Frequently Asked Questions.

View our calendar of upcoming programs for everyone. From toddler program to adult workshops, virtual and limited in-person programs are available. All state and local safety restrictions apply.

You pick the topic, we bring the fun to your troop, group, or class. Any group can request a program with one of our naturalist. Prices vary, virtual and limited in-person options are available.

Our mission is to inspire environmental learning and interpretive connections with our community.

Attended a program? Please give us feedback so we know what went well and what didn’t!

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"If you're lucky enough to catch them on the right side and near the ..."

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"Amazing National Park to visit around Denver area."

Business: Welcome to Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge! Located just 10 miles northeast of downtown Denver, you can step into nature and see the native wildlife that call the Refuge home. Bison, d

4worldlovers:
Welcome to Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, it's free to visit! Located just 10 miles northeast of downtown Denver, you can step into nature and see the native wildlife that call the Refuge home. Bison, deer, raptors, songbirds, waterfowl, prairie dogs, and coyotes are just a few of the animals you will see on your visit. Take a nature escape and discover the variety of wildlife and outdoor recreational experiences waiting for you.


Refuge Hours: Sunrise to sunset seven days a week (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's day)


Visitor Center Hours: Wednesday through Sunday 9am - 4pm (closed Monday, Tuesday, and federal holidays).


To purchase/pick up America the Beautiful passes (annual pass, senior lifetime pass, military pass, etc.), schedule an appointment by calling 303-289-0930. Pass sales are by cash or check only.


Check out the Events Page for a list of fun and free nature programs for all ages. Upcoming Programs: Meet the BFFs, Saturday, February 4 from 10:30 - 11:00 am and Valentine's Day Kids Archery, Saturday, February 11 from 10:30 am - noon.


Half a century ago, the bald eagle was in danger of extinction. Conservationists helped lead a remarkable recovery, and in 2007 the bald eagle was removed from the federal list of threatened and endangered species. This article touches on why the bald eagle inspires the awe and respect that it does.


The Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge is one of the largest urban refuges in the country. It is a sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of busy urban life where time moves at nature's pace. With its expansive views, wildlife viewing opportunities, and recreation activities, it's easy to take a nature escape! The Refuge is open sunrise to sunset daily and closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Visiting the Refuge is free!


Drive the 11-mile Wildlife Drive auto tour while listening to the Refuge podcast.


Fish seasonally at Lake Mary and Lake Ladora for a small fee.


Explore the Visitor Center, which includes exhibits, wildlife activities, and Nature's Nest Books and Gifts.


For Refuge and Visitor Center hours see Location and Contact Information below.

Lake Mary: Starting November 14 a portion of the Lake Mary Trail will be closed to expand the concrete trail around the lake. The project will take 2-3 months.

From Quebec Street, turn east on Prairie Parkway. From Prairie Parkway turn north on Gateway Road. Follow Gateway Road to the Refuge entrance.

Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge was established in 2004, in part, to protect our national symbol, the bald eagle. The land has a unique story - it has survived the test of time and transitioned from farmland, to war-time manufacturing site, to wildlife sanctuary. It may be one of the finest conservation success stories and a place where wildlife thrives.

One of the best ways to experience this 15,000 acre Refuge is by taking the 11-mile Wildlife Drive auto tour in your vehicle. Listen to the podcast, which corresponds with each mile marker along the way to discover more about the Refuge and its wildlife. The Wildlife Drive takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour to complete and is free.

Wildlife conservation is at the heart of the National Wildlife Refuge System. It drives everything on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands and waters managed within the Refuge System, from the purposes for which a national wildlife refuge

Is established to the recreational activities offered to the resource management tools used. Using conservation best practices, the Refuge System manages Service lands and waters to help ensure the survival of native wildlife species.

At Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge we are working for wildlife to continuously ensure that our natural resources are conserved for current and future generations to enjoy.

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"Great hiking close to Denver."

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"Great park for something near denver!"

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"Great park with nice hiking trails easily accessible from Denver."

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"One of Denver's lesser known parks near I-70 and Federal Blvd."