Art Galleries • Gardens
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THE 10 BEST Denver Parks & Nature Attractions
Nature & Parks in Denver
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Nature & Parks
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Travelers' Choice Awards winners (including the "Best of the Best" title) are among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor, according to the reviews and opinions of travelers across the globe.
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Recommended Outdoor Activities (93)
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Architectural Buildings • Aquariums
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What travelers are saying
- JanelleGrand Rapids, MI151 contributionsThis Is quite a large place with a lot to look at and do for being a botanical garden. We were there about 3 hours and didn't even go across the street to the Children's Garden at all. You could stay longer if the movie had been running, and if you looked through all the art exhibits as well. It appears to host many events at various parts of the park as well.Written July 13, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- lovelytraveler72Chicago, IL65 contributionsThere’s something for everyone on the way to the Mount Blue Sky summit. Chance to hike around Echo Lake, drive up the switchback road to the summit, experience the thrill of seeing Mountain Goats and Rams along the way. Be sure to bring warm clothing as the temperature drops as you rise. Bring water and snacks too if you’re going to hike any distance. The altitude gains to 14,000+ feet.Written August 27, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- AS6016Albany, NY451 contributionsWhere do I start? Parking was easy, organized, and free, and the exhibits were laid out in a logical manner. We parked in the parking lot, the friends we met there parked on the street for free.
All around great exhibits for the mammals, most with room to roam, other than the snakes and reptiles. Their cages were proportionally tiny.
It was great seeing the elephants, penguins and white mountain goats to name a few. The kangaroo exhibit, was quite the experience with Kangaroos hanging out in the of their human admirers, some even taking naps on the walkway. We spent 3 1/2 hours at the zoo though could have easily spent more time there. We didn't eat there so can't comment on the quality or costs.
One recommendation is to have better signage listing daily feeding times and animal talks.Written August 14, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - nanaof1boy3girlsLayton, UT320 contributionsThis is a nice aquarium to visit. Lots of different species of fish and other marine life. They have some hands on exhibits. We went first thing when they opened and received a discount by the time we left it was starting to get crowded. The have a restaurant and gift shop there.Written August 9, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- FearlesskazTowson, MD47 contributionsBeautiful park! Fun to stroll around, bike around, lots of green space in a convenient location. Enjoyed the playground too—fun even for older kids!Written March 29, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- john mDenver, CO2 contributions
Those of us who have lived in Denver for decades are still excited to get out of the city to one of the parks for a picnic or hike.Written October 16, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Rachael BBuffalo18 contributionsWe went to city park specifically for the playground. The park itself is large with a lot of parking on the streets in the park. It was a little tricky navigating our way into the park because the Gps said arrived but we were at a one way street going the wrong way.
The playground was great! My whole family liked it. There were some options there I’ve never seen before! Lots of places to sit and wasn’t too crowded when we were there on a Tuesday morning/afternoon. We walked to the duck pond across the street too.
We first went to Central Park in Denver which is amazing, but the playground there is under construction (April 2023). It looks like it will be awesome when finished though.Written April 28, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Cheech130Atlanta, GA14 contributionsThe Cherry Creek Trail is great for running and bike riding. You can go for miles in either direction from downtown. There are a couple stretches near downtown that you want to more alert but overall there are usually plenty of people around.Written December 8, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Bob LWinchester, VA682 contributionsIt is a beautiful public park in the middle of the city. Towering apratment buildings all around, century old homes and boarding houses on the edge, beautiful dwellings down the street all empty into this beautiful public green.
It was so lush! No bare spots where soccer kids had worn the grass a way. No paths cut thru to the dirt where peole took short cuts across the grasee. Just big, beautiful and green.
Grab some drinks or coffee and enjoy the peaceful tranquility for an hour or so!Written July 22, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Larry CSalem, VA36 contributionsThis is a great place to walk around the lake or bike around it on paved nice pathways. It was not too crowded when we visited (twice) while in town...but watch out for duck and geese messes. We were never afraid but there were some people hanging around that did not look like they were there for the exercise or to enjoy the park beauty!Written January 29, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Markus S1 contribution
Appalled at the bad ratings some visitors gave the park because they did not get to view the bison, I would like to provide some tips on how to increase your chances. In fact, the bison are there year-round, but - as some have correctly pointed out - they are given space; which is in everybody's interest, not least the bison's. While there is a conveniently located "bison overlook" right off I-70 (exit 254) to the north side of the freeway, seeing bison from there is not a given; which is just okay if you think about it. Hey, this is not a petting zoo where you expect your fair share of coat between your fingers for the dollars you spent. These are semi-wild creatures that roam a spacious pasture and are not meant to be displayed on cue. So how to go about viewing the iconic symbols of the West if they happen to be too elusive for an overlook experience?
First, check out the North Pasture (on the north side of I-70). From said overlook, a paved footpath/cycle lane continues along I-70 and runs the entire length of the pasture (roughly 1 mile). Following this path will give you plenty of opportunities to stop and scan the pasture - make sure you also take in the wooded areas. This is definitely not possible when whizzing buy on the interstate, so you will need to take a little walk. The path ends at the Chavez/Beaver Brook Trailhead (with Stapleton Road for access). There is another roadside overlook there (I-70 exit 253). A camera with some zoom might come in handy, a phone might not allow you to take good photos if the bison are farther away from the fence or among the trees.
Second, if you really fail to spot any bison in the North Pasture, try your luck in the South Pasture (south of the interstate). You may consider driving Genesee Mountain Road or driving to the Patrick House Trailhead. Both locations are easily accessible and border the southern bison enclosure. An option that might provide you with a more intimate experience with the land and the animals is hiking the Genesee Mountain Trail (Outer Loop) or the American Bison Trail, which both start from the aforementioned road/trailhead and run along the fence line separating the bison pasture. They can each be completed in 1-2 hours; alternatively, you can always hike (and stop) at your discretion.
My rating of the park is 4/5 because the downside I see is all the development in the area, which makes it difficult to take photos of the landscape and/or the bison without having fences, power lines, the interstate, private estates, etc. in the picture. You also hear the droning of the traffic on I-70 quite a ways off into the greenery. But while this obviously is not Yellowstone NP, it is still remarkable that there is such a splendid natural area within a 15-minute drive of one of the biggest metropolitan areas west of the Mississippi! We should embrace this!
Written December 28, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - leuveenUnited Kingdom1,307 contributionsLovely park next to the river, a welcome oasis after the busy city. Plenty of cafes, seats and other attractions around. Definitely worth a visit if you are in the area.Written July 28, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Melissa D3 contributionsWe took our Girl Scout Troop from North Carolina. Ken and his team of volunteers were fantastic.
Loved the history of the building and the viewing was wonderful.
Would recommend for anyone with small kids or people that love stargazing.Written August 2, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - phvi2617Anaheim, CA641 contributionsThis is a pretty and well-kept park between Denver City Hall and the Colorado Capitol. It was quiet with just a few people milling about during the week. There are various statues and photo ops of the downtown skyline, and it's close to the Mint, Central Library, and several museums.Written June 24, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- N KraftBloomington-Normal, IL247 contributionsCheap way to kill an hour or two. Cool farmstead from the 1800s preserved on a nice little chunk of land to walk around. Wife loved the horses and baby goats. Nice pit stop. Would be interested in some of the events they host.Written August 1, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
