Colorado Public Parks

Colorado’s landscape is full of recreation opportunities in public parks. Most towns have at least one local city or county park dedicated to recreation. Many of them are free to use, so take advantage of this nearby nature. Read our city parks blog.

City and County Parks in Colorado

Nearly all the city and county parks stay open year round for use. Depending on their location, you’ll find a range of activities available. High mountain parks may offer cross county skiing, snowshoeing and even ice fishing opportunities.

Aurora Reservoir Aurora	Barker Reservoir Nederland	Bear Creek Lake Lakewood
Benson Park Loveland	Berkeley Park Denver	Boulder Reservoir Boulder
Central Park Denver	Chautauqua Park Boulder	Cheesman Denver
City Park Denver	Civic Center Denver	Confluence Park Delta
Confluence Park Denver	Dillon Reservoir Dillon	Echo Lake Evergreen
Evergreen Lake Evergreen Lake	Garden Of Gods Colorado Springs	Green Mountain Lakewood
Horsetooth Res Fort Collins	Jeff Co Open Space Golden	Lake Nighthorse Durango
Lake San Cristobal Lake City	Red Rocks Morrison	Sloan’s Lake Denver
Standley Lake Westminster	Summit Lake Idaho Springs	Vallecito Lake Bayfield
Wash Park Denver	Westminster City Park Westminster	Williams Fork Reservoir Parshall

Guide to Public Parks in Colorado

Grasmere Lake Wash Park Denver Colorado — Grasmere Lake sunset in Wash Park. Photo: Larry Goodwin

Most city and county parks are open free for public use. The ones that do charge, usually have exciting amenities to the make the admission worth it. Most municipally-owned parks are open year round.

Nature is never far away in Colorado, even in the big cities. Both Denver and Colorado Springs feature a myriad of local parks, varying in size, amenities and landscapes. Garden of the Gods is world famous and a sure bucket-list item, especially considering its cost…free.

<br /> City Parks: It seems most towns, no matter the size, provide at least one local gathering place to get outside and enjoy nature. These parks usually feature a playground for the kids, a pavilion or picnic tables and plenty of open space to play with your best friend.

Bigger ones usually have at least one hiking trail, which is often shared with bicyclers, skateboarders, and whomever else wants to ride the path (minus automobiles). Horseback riding is even permitted at some. Other activities include fishing, many parks boast water of some sort, whether lake or river, and a few provide camping.

County Parks: These function the same as city parks, usually free, except they are managed by the county. Jefferson County Open Space features twenty-eight parks with varying activities along the Front Range around Golden.

Next time you and your friends are looking for something fun, affordable and fast to do, just pack up a supplies, like chairs, food, drinks and games, and head ever over to a local city park. Something about being outside and in nature will ensure everyone is satisfied.