The mile-high city is known for its majestic scenery, natural landscapes, and miles of hiking trails. But the outdoors aren’t only for exploring in untamed wilderness — there are amazing kid-friendly parks in Denver, too!
Because central Colorado has about 250 sunny days per year, there’s plenty of time to get the family out of the house and into the great outdoors. Whether you want to explore the best local parks for kids in Denver or visit another nearby city, there are great public parks scattered across the metro.
Many of these hidden gems aren’t as busy as the most popular parks in Denver, so you can take the family out for a relaxing day of play without worrying about crowds.
The next time you’re ready to head outside with the kids, visit one of these fantastic parks nearby.
Jump to:
Northwest
McKay Lake Park and Open Lands
14000 Zuni St., Broomfield, CO
- Amenities: Restrooms and playground on site, lake nearby
- Hours: 5 a.m.-11 p.m. daily
This is one of the best parks in the Denver metro area for kids who want to let imagination and nature guide their play. The unique wooden play structures will entertain everyone from toddlers to teens, while the bike paths and hills have arenas for younger and older riders alike (so don’t leave your bikes and helmets at home!). One note to parents of smaller kids: This is a large park with plenty of spots to hide, so prepare to adventure right alongside your younger crew members or save the visit for your older kids.
Foothills Community Park
800 Cherry Ave., Boulder, CO 80304
- Amenities: Restrooms, playground, and shaded tables on site
- Hours: 5 a.m. -11 p.m. daily
This kid-friendly park in Boulder offers something for everyone, including community gardens, a pickleball court, a hockey rink, and more than one playground. There’s also ample space for kids to run around near the shade. The rock wall and art structures sprinkled throughout make this park an exciting experience on every level.
Harlow Platts Community Park
1360 Gillaspie Dr., Boulder, CO 80305
- Amenities: Restrooms, lake, playground, and shaded tables on site
- Hours: 5 a.m.-11 p.m. daily
This family park in Boulder offers a great way to explore water and nature with kids — away from busier locations. The gentle path around the lake is perfect for walking, running, or biking, and the playground area is well-shaded, making this one of the best parks in the Denver metro area. You can also enjoy the workout stations around the lake as a family!
West
Belleview Park
5001 S. Inca Drive, Englewood, CO 80110
- Amenities: ADA accessible; Restrooms, stream, playground, and shaded tables on site
- Hours: 6 a.m.-11 p.m. daily
With several large pavilions for rent and plenty of playground equipment, Belleview Park attracts lots of families. With so much space, though, the area never feels crowded. When you’re done playing basketball or running through the grass, take your crew of explorers on an adventure through the park’s stream and nature trails. The adjacent Englewood Farm and Train also makes Belleview one of the best parks for toddlers in Englewood.
Belmar Park
801 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood, CO 80226
- Amenities: Restrooms nearby at the Heritage Lakewood Center; Lake and creeks, playground, and shaded tables on site
- Hours: Unlisted
Belmar Park is the place to go if your family needs manicured playgrounds and turf alongside plenty of natural space. You’ll enjoy scenery similar to more popular parks, just without the crowds. Belmar is one of the best parks in Lakewood for kids and families thanks to its abundance of trails, waterways, and wildlife (keep a look out for critters on your adventure!).
Stagecoach Park
3229 El Pinal Dr., Evergreen, CO 80439
- Amenities: Playground on site
- Hours: Opens one hour before sunrise, closes one hour after sunset daily
With its small ballfield and only two shaded tables, you may be tempted to skip Stagecoach Park in favor of something bigger, but you’d be missing out on what makes this park so much fun: its simplicity. Kids will love the well-designed playground equipment, and the shaded tables are located close enough that you can sit and supervise. This is also one of the best parks for toddlers in Evergreen due to its compact size.
Central
Swansea Park
2650 E. 49th Ave., Denver, CO 80216
- Amenities: Restrooms, playground, and shaded tables on site
- Hours: 5 a.m.-11 p.m. daily
Swansea is one of the best parks in the Denver metro area for a special reason: It was designed by kids! With plenty of shade during the summer months and features designed for imaginative and nature-based play, Swansea is sure to offer plenty of fun for toddlers, kids, and teens alike (especially thanks to its fields, basketball court, and horseshoe pit, which may appeal to older kids).
Great Lawn Park
101 Yosemite St., Denver, CO 80230
- Amenities: ADA accessible; Restrooms, creek, playground, and shaded tables on site
- Hours: 5 a.m.-11 p.m.
For a kid friendly park in Denver, you can’t beat Great Lawn Park. Thanks to its beautiful mountain views and less-crowded atmosphere, this park might just become a new family favorite. The giant sundial will entertain even your older kids, while the creek provides a chance for nature exploration.
Paco Sánchez Park
1290 Knox Ct., Denver, CO 80204
- Amenities: Restrooms, playground, and shaded tables on site
- Hours: 5 a.m.-11 p.m. daily
If you haven’t visited Paco Sánchez Park with your kids yet, it’s time to go. The innovative play equipment, wide open spaces, and unique structures will keep kids’ attention and encourage them to run and play for hours. The giant microphone with a twisty slide is a central feature, so don’t be surprised if the big kids spend their time there. The adjacent skate park and basketball court also offer great teen-friendly activities, making this one of the best local parks for kids of all ages in Denver.
Southeast
Red-Tailed Hawk Park
23701 E. Hinsdale Way, Aurora, CO 80016
- Amenities: ADA accessible; Restrooms, spray pad, playground, and shaded tables on site
- Hours: 5 a.m.-11 p.m. daily; water features run 10 a.m.-7 p.m. in the summer
This is one of the Denver area’s best parks for families with adaptive needs. Features like a wheelchair-accessible merry-go-round, an adaptive zip line, and even a sensory garden make Red-Tailed Hawk the perfect ADA-friendly park for kids. For adults and families that want access to more wild nature, the Piney Creek Trail runs right to the park.
Sweetwater Park
8300 Sweet Water Rd., Lone Tree, CO 80124
- Amenities: ADA accessible; Restrooms, playground, and shaded tables on site
- Hours: 6 a.m.-11 p.m. daily
This hidden gem of a park is tucked away from the road, so many long-time area residents haven’t even stumbled upon it. When you factor in its size, there will be many times that you’ll feel like you’re the only family enjoying the park. The basketball courts, baseball field, and playground help give Sweetwater the perfect blend of natural and constructed elements — and make this one of the best local parks for kids in Denver.
Elk Ridge Park
7005 Mira Vista Ln., Castle Pines, CO 80108
- Amenities: ADA accessible; Restrooms, splash pad, playground, and shaded tables on site
- Hours: Dawn to 10 p.m. daily; splash pad open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. in the summer
A great find for the whole family, this large park combines plenty of open, grassy space with a well-maintained playground and trail space sprinkled throughout. The maze and giant rolling hills are family favorites, while your whole crew will enjoy the park’s looped trails, which offer scavenger hunt-style clues to keep your family entertained.
Northeast
Lincoln Park
504 Marion Ave., Platteville, CO 80651
- Amenities: ADA accessible; Playground and shaded tables on site
- Hours: 6 a.m.-10 p.m. daily
Lincoln Park is now one of the best parks in the Denver metro area thanks to a recent playground renovation, which added new adaptive equipment and interactive structures that all kids will enjoy. Your family can also enjoy the nearby local pioneer museum and library when everyone is worn out from playing in the sun.
Riverwalk Park
9830 Riverdale Rd, Thornton, CO 80229
- Amenities: ADA accessible; Restrooms, playground, and shaded tables on site
- Hours: 6 a.m.-10 p.m. daily
Kids of all ages will love this park in Thornton thanks to its diverse playground options. Several unique climbing features and balance activities will keep older kids engaged, while the smaller crowd can have fun exploring the “alien home” play structure. This park is also known for its batting cages, so take your equipment and get 16 pitches for $1. The best part might be the animal tracks scavenger hunt, which will send the whole family on a search for these hidden prints around the park.
Brighton Park
555 N. 11th Ave., Brighton, CO 80601
- Amenities: ADA accessible; Restrooms, pond, playground, and shaded tables on site
- Hours: Dawn to 10 p.m.
This sunny park in Brighton is farm animal-themed, but that doesn’t mean the big kids and adults won’t love it, too! One big draw is the sheer number of slides (and we mean everything from toddler-sized structures to three-story-tall slides). The park also offers designated activities for older kids via an interactive playground app, which prompts them to find certain equipment, race to beat the clock, and more. This park also boasts an on-site restroom and shaded tables, so take a picnic and enjoy your time.