As any Coloradan will tell you, there’s a better-than-average chance that, on any given day, the sun will be shining. And with all those beautiful-weather days comes the opportunity to get outside with the kids to enjoy it! One of the best ways to do so, especially with younger children? Going to one of Denver’s beautiful, family-friendly parks, of course!
Whether you’re looking for an oasis in the urban landscape or a place to play with a view, there is definitely a park for you. Check out this list of the most popular parks in Denver that will be fun for the whole family!
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Popular Parks in Denver for Kids
City Park
2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver, CO 80205
- Amenities: Tennis courts; horseshoes; baseball, football, and soccer fields; lakes; historical monuments and statues; picnic sites and playgrounds; near the Denver Zoo and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science
- Hours: 5 a.m.-11 p.m. daily
- Region: Central Denver
City Park spans 330 acres with an abundance of natural spaces for kids to play in and admire. The two lakes in the park, Ferril and Duck, also have a wide variety of wildlife for families to enjoy while riding in paddle boats, making it one of the best parks for kids in Denver with an interest in animals. In addition to the park’s playgrounds and sports areas, the park is also next to the Denver Zoo and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science — always fun spots to check out with kids. There are also a number of historical monuments throughout the park, so you can teach your kids about Colorado’s history while they explore!
Cheesman Park
1599 E. 8th Ave., Denver, Colorado
- Amenities: Jogging, pedestrian, and bike trails; picnic areas and tables; flower beds; a pavilion; a playground; near the Denver Botanic Gardens
- Hours: 5 a.m.-11 p.m. daily
- Region: East of Downtown Denver
Cheesman Park’s natural landscape makes it one of the best parks in the Denver metro area. Not only is the park adorned with a wide variety of native trees and plants, but it also offers access to the Denver Botanic Gardens, which has one of the largest collections of cold-weather plants in North America. There is even a Mordecai Children’s Garden, designed for kids to get hands-on with the natural world through play. Visitors to the park say it is an oasis in the bustling city of Denver, with plenty of quiet areas to kick back and relax.
Congress Park
850 Josephine St., Denver, CO 80206
- Amenities: Picnic shelter, tables, and areas; a playground; an outdoor pool; a restroom; basketball and tennis courts; football, baseball/softball, and soccer fields
- Hours: 5 a.m.-11 p.m. daily
- Region: East of Downtown Denver
Right next to Cheesman Park is the smaller but just as lively Congress Park. A more compact park with a large number of shaded areas that’s centrally located around a large parking lot, Congress is one of the best parks for toddlers in Denver. The park and neighborhood surrounding it sport a number of historical buildings dating back to the 1800s — a link to the past for visitors! Congress is also near many local shops and restaurants, allowing everyone to have a one-of-a-kind experience in the area.
Alamo Placita Park
300 Emerson St., Denver, CO 80218
- Amenities: Picnic tables and areas; a playground; a basketball court; flower beds
- Hours: 5 a.m.-11 p.m. daily
- Region: East of Downtown Denver
Another small but beautiful oasis in Denver, Alamo Placita Park is located in a historic district. Visitors appreciate the park for its quiet environment and well-maintained nature, putting it among the best parks in Denver for kids. Alamo Placita is particularly well-known for its meticulously designed flower displays, which bring pops of bright colors to the natural green landscape. The park’s small size and peaceful atmosphere make it the best park in Denver for a calm family outing.
Washington Park
S. Downing St. & E. Louisiana Ave., Denver, CO 80210
- Amenities: Recreation center; flower beds; a picnic shelter, tables, and areas; a playground; lakes; a restroom; tennis and basketball courts; bike, pedestrian, and jogging paths; fitness equipment
- Hours: 5 a.m.-11 p.m. daily
- Region: South of Downtown Denver
Residents and tourists who visit Washington Park compare it to New York’s famous Central Park, marking it as one of the best parks in Denver, Colorado. It’s decorated with a variety of statues and gardens, including one garden designed to mimic Martha Washington’s garden at Mt. Vernon! Plenty of picnic areas, including public grills, make it an excellent park for people who want to enjoy a relaxing outdoor meal. Washington Park’s gardens and playgrounds put it high on the list of kid-friendly parks in Denver.
Mountain Parks in Denver for Kids
Not only are there great parks for families in the Denver metro area, but the mountains around the city offer some of the best parks in Denver, Colorado, for kids to experience the beautiful nature the state has to offer.
Red Rocks Park
18300 W. Alameda Pkwy., Morrison, CO 80465
- Amenities: Amphitheater; hiking trails; scenic roads; a visitor center with a restaurant, park interpretation, and gift shop
- Hours: 5 a.m.-11 p.m. daily
- Region: Bear Creek Gateway, west of Denver
Red Rocks Park is one of the best parks in the Denver metro area. One of the best activities for kids at Red Rocks is the Trading Post Trail, a 1.6-mile-long path that begins and ends at the Trading Post. The most well-known aspect of the park, however, is its historic amphitheater, which hosts dozens of events every year, from concerts to outdoor movies to exercise groups. A family looking for something to do during the summer will find an abundance of options at Red Rocks!
Genesee Park
26771 Genesee Ln., Golden, CO 80401
- Amenities: Hiking trails; picnic areas and tables; volleyball court; softball field; restrooms; scenic roads and views
- Hours: 6 a.m.-10 p.m. daily
- Region: North Gateway, north of Denver
Genesee Park offers multiple recreational areas that provide a variety of activities, from sports to picnicking, making it one of the best parks in Denver for kids with many interests. Genesee Park also ranks among the best tourist places in Colorado because of its famous bison herd, which can sometimes be viewed at the bison overlook along I-70. The park also has a number of trails, including a Braille Nature Trail for people with visual impairments, making it accessible to a wide range of outdoor adventurers!
Echo Lake Park
CO-103 & Mt Evans Rd., Evergreen, CO 80439
- Amenities: Fishing; food and gift shops; picnic areas and tables; hiking and biking trails
- Hours: 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m. daily from May to September
- Region: Mount Blue Sky, an hour west of Denver
Echo Lake Park is one of the best parks for toddlers in Denver, thanks to its short and accessible hiking trail. The trail, which is about 0.6 miles long, loops around Echo Lake, starting and ending at the park’s main lodge. The trail’s length and ease make it an excellent option for little kids who want a beautiful experience in nature. The park’s lodge has food options and a gift shop for anyone who gets hungry after their hikes or wants to buy a souvenir for their trip. A number of picnic areas and tables with grills open for public use also provide an opportunity for families to rest and relax.
Turkey Creek Park
6900 S. Turkey Creek Rd., Morrison, CO 80465
- Amenities: Picnic area and tables; restrooms
- Hours: 6 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily
- Region: South Gateway, southwest of Denver
Turkey Creek Park is the best park in Denver for a quieter and low-key mountain adventure. Located off of Highway 285, it acts as a natural oasis right next to the hustle and bustle of the Denver metro. It has a parking lot right next to its picnic area, making it very accessible for families of all kinds. Visitors say it’s great for a quick, relaxing stop and has a lot of shade for those looking to cool off in the summer months! It’s not as well-known as some of the other parks in and around Denver, making it a peaceful location and one of the best parks for kids in Denver.
O’Fallon Park
25663 Lines Ln., Kittredge, CO 80457
- Amenities: Hiking trails; picnic areas and tables; fishing areas
- Hours: 7 a.m.-6 p.m. daily
- Region: Bear Creek Gateway, west of Denver
Short hiking trails with lots of shade make O’Fallon Park one of the most kid-friendly parks in Denver. With multiple trails less than two miles long, there is always an adventure to be had for kids of all ages throughout the park. Multiple shaded picnic areas also provide families the opportunity to kick back and relax with a nice meal while enjoying nature. Bear Creek, which runs along the Bear Creek Trail, also offers an opportunity for fishing, so you can catch fish just like a bear.