![]() For those looking to explore the reservoir from the comfort of a watercraft, kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, motorboats, and sailboats are all available for rental. The reservoir within the park features a sandy beach and unlike other state parks swimming is permitted, making the park a fantastic alternative to crowded neighborhood pools. Beyond what was already mentioned the park features a shooting/archery range, an airfield for remote controlled planes, and an on-site stable where you can rent a horse or arrange a hayride. The park offers nearly three dozen miles of trails to keep hikers and cyclists busy, but also facilitates scores of other activities that most other state parks do not. There is also a separated 100 acre section designated as an off-leash dog park. Its centerpiece is an 880 acre reservoir, which supplies the city of Denver water and year round recreation. The park is comprised of over 4,400 acres including thousands of acres of rolling grasslands and woods. Just south of the intersection of Parker Road and I-225 in Aurora, about a 20 minute drive from downtown, is one of the largest and best known state parks near Denver, Cherry Creek State Park. Cherry Creek State Park Cherry Creek State Park. Persse’s former homestead, which still sits toward to north end of the property. As a nod to the history of the park the Fountain Valley trail leads hikers to Mr. Today what draws visitors to the property is the stunning landscape and an extensive network of trails, ranging from around a quarter of a mile to over eight miles. Luckily for Denver’s hikers the development never came to fruition and the land was preserved for the public to enjoy. One look around at the breathtaking rock formations jetting out through the land and it’s easy to imagine visitors streaming in to visit Mr. Persse, intended to develop the land into a private resort complex, complete with a large hotel and golf course. In the early 1900’s the owner of the land that now makes up the park, Henry S. Just beyond the suburbs to the southwest of Denver, about 40 minutes from downtown, is Roxborough State Park. Roxborough State Park Roxborough State Park. The surge ultimately flooded the city’s fire and police stations, jail, and Union Station.īeyond the hikes and history lessons the park has to share, the canyon walls and surrounding boulders provide some of the best, and most convenient, climbing and boulder spots near the city. The dam itself has an interesting and troubled history as it served the area from the late 19th century to 1933, when it suddenly gave and sent a fifteen foot surge of water toward Denver. The trails also provide hikers access to the ruins of the Lucas homestead, which dates back to the late 19th century and originally belonged to some of the first settlers in the area, as well as ruins of the Castlewood Dam. The park features a network of fairly manageable trails, which showcase the natural scenery created by Cherry Creek flowing through the canyon. It’s a somewhat out-of-place sanctuary of pristine forests and sixty foot canyon walls surrounded by what can only be described as a fairly nondescript landscape outside of the park. Just west of Castle Rock, about 45 minutes southeast of Downtown Denver, sits Castlewood Canyon State Park. Here are the state parks near Denver, CO, in no particular order: Castlewood Canyon State Park Bridge over Cherry Creek. Here’s our list of must see state parks within quick day-trip distance from Denver. All can be completed within around sixty minutes of Denver. If you’ve ever wondered where you can relax on a sandy beach or head out for a stunning hike without driving for hours then look no further. ![]() At these local gems you can soak in the outdoors that make Colorado famous. ![]() When strolling down 16th Street Mall or sitting in Coors Field, it may feel like you’re quite a distance from nature, but there are several Colorado state parks within an easy drive from downtown Denver. ![]()
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