10 Best Natural Sights around Denver

The Denver Botanic Gardens is a 23-acre public botanical garden, best known for its variety of themed gardens, along with a conservatory and sunken amphitheatre. The gardens are located a short distance east of the Colorado State Capitol, situated on a hilltop between Cheesman Park and Congress Park.

At the Denver Botanic Gardens, you’ll find a diverse array of plant life within the park’s gardens. Popular locations within the park include a Japanese Garden known as the Garden of Wind and Pines, a Dryland Mesa with western and drought-tolerant plants, and a modern Tropical Conservatory. The Denver Botanic Gardens is predominantly wheelchair accessible. A limited amount of parking is available on-site.

Cherry Creek State Park is centred around a large reservoir and dam, especially popular in the summer months for swimming and boating. Located within Colorado’s Arapahoe County, Cherry Creek State Park encompasses over 3,000 acres, including the 880-acre reservoir. Wildlife within the park includes multiple deer, coyotes, muskrats, beavers, and prairie dogs.

Water activities at Cherry Creek State Park include a sandy swimming beach, along with sailing and kayaking, paddle-boarding, jet-skis, and fishing. A network of paved roads and trails within the park are often used for cycling, running, and horseback riding. Pet owners can bring their furry friends to enjoy a fenced 100-acre dog park with water access to Cherry Creek.

William Frederick Hayden Park is an expansive public park offering hiking, cycling, and horseback riding trails, along with scenic mountain views. The park is located in Lakewood and is home to various wildlife, including mule deer, rabbits, coyotes, hawks, and mountain lions.

Multi-use trails within William Frederick Hayden Park include the scenic Green Mountain Trail, rewarding hikers and cyclists with panoramic views of the area from atop the 6,800-foot summit. There are multiple car parks and trailheads located throughout the park, many of which offer free parking and bathroom facilities. Locals recommend bringing plenty of sun cream and water for your journey along the sun-soaked trails and plan to pack out whatever you pack into the park.

City Park is an urban park near city centre Denver, housing some of the city’s most popular family attractions. Located in east-central Denver, City Park is one of the oldest public spaces in the town and features a variety of historic architectural features, buildings, and monuments. Attractions and cultural sites within the park include the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and the Denver Zoo.

Activities at City Park include meandering walking trails, whimsical animal-shaped paddle-boats on Ferril Lake, and the Prismatic Fountain with its dancing water jets and colourful LED lights. The adjacent City Park area offers a variety of trendy businesses and local hotspots, including coffee shops and restaurants, boutiques, and bookshops.

The South Platte River Trail Scenic and Historic Byway feature hiking and scenic drives along the historic trails once used for westward expansion in the United States. A scenic 19-mile route encompasses parts of US Highway 138 and County Road 28, connecting Julesburg and Ovid.

To begin your journey on the South Platte River Trail, you can head to the Colorado Welcome Centre at Julesburg, where you’ll find the trailhead for this historic route. Placards along the trail provide insight into the adjacent historical sites, including the 19th-century Fort Sedgewick, a Pony Express Post Station, telegraph lines, and the Transcontinental railway.

Red Rocks Park is a National Historic Landmark and scenic mountain park, housing the famed Red Rocks Amphitheatre. The park is located about 10-miles west of Denver in Morrison, Colorado. This popular park is known for sweeping outcrops of red sandstone rock formations and offers a variety of scenic hiking and cycling trails.

Red Rocks Amphitheatre is a historic open-air venue nestled into the natural rock structures. Rock formations surrounding the amphitheatre provide acoustic benefits and sweeping views of the park from within the unique space. Notable performances from the arena’s long-running history include The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, The Blues Brothers, The Grateful Dead, and Depeche Mode.

The Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge is an expansive space known for its scenic natural beauty and opportunities to see the wildlife. This National Wildlife Refuge is located near Commerce City, Colorado, just 8 miles northeast of Denver. The site once housed the Rocky Mountain Arsenal, a chemical weapons manufacturing facility for the US Army, and has since undergone extensive environmental cleanup.

Today, the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge encompasses nearly 16,000 acres. Wildlife within the park ranges from bison and deer to birds of prey and coyotes, black-tailed prairie dogs, and black-footed ferrets. The Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge Visitors Centre offers visitors historical information on the park and its wildlife, along with public facilities and park maps.

Bear Creek Lake Park is a family-friendly park in Lakewood, known for extensive outdoor activities and entertainment. The park is located about 30 minutes south of Denver, close to the Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre. Operating hours at the park typically change seasonally, with swimming generally allowed in Big Soft drink Lake through Labour Day.

Dry-land activities at Bear Creek Lake Park include scenic trails dedicated to walking, cycling, and horseback riding, as well as an archery range, camping, and wildlife viewing. Water sport activities range from water skiing and paddle boats to kayaking, sailing, and fishing. A sandy beach area along Big Soft drink Lake is perfect for beach volleyball, picnics, and swimming.

Confluence Park is an urban park in city centre Denver, located within the confluence of Cherry Creek and the South Platte River. The park is a popular destination for Denver locals year-round, providing convenient access to nearby coffee shops, businesses, and trendy hotspots.

On the paved trails within Confluence Park, you’ll find cyclists, skaters, and walkers enjoying the surrounding riverside views. A kayak slip provides water access for kayaking and water activities, and open scenic overlooks and benches are also in the park. Trolley service is available seasonally at Confluence Park from the Platte Valley Trolley.

Chatfield State Park encompasses a state park, large reservoir, and the Audubon Centre at Chatfield State Park. The park is located in Littleton, Colorado, a short distance from the Denver metro area. Wildlife within the park includes over 300 bird species and multiple deer species, red foxes, coyotes, rabbits, and prairie dogs.

On the waters of Chatfield State Park’s reservoir, you can enjoy activities ranging from water-skiing and sailing to fishing and kayaking. A marina and floating restaurant are also available. Paved and unpaved trails are provided for cyclists, hikers, and horseback riding. Leashed pets are welcome on the trails. Campsites within the park offer modern facilities, along with picnic tables and grills.