Colorado Public Parks | City, County and Dog 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 public parks blog.

City/County Parks and Open Spaces 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.

Acacia Park – Colorado Springs

American the Beautiful Park in Colorado Springs, Colorado

America the Beautiful Park – Colorado Springs

Image of the houses within the ninth street historic park in denver, colorado

Auraria Ninth Street Historic Park – Denver

Aurora Reservoir – Aurora

Image of the Austin Bluffs Open Space in Colorado Springs, Colorado

Austin Bluffs Open Space – Colorado Springs

Image of the sign for the Bancroft Park in Colorado Springs, Colorado

Bancroft Park – Colorado Springs

Barker Meadow Reservoir – Nederland

Bear Creek Falls – Telluride

Bear Creek Lake Park – Lakewood

Image overlooking Bear Creek Regional Park in Colorado Springs, Colorado

Bear Creek Regional Park – Colorado Springs

Benson Park Sculpture Garden – Loveland

Berkeley Lake Park – Denver

Image of a path at the Bluestem Prairie Open Space in Colorado Springs, Colorado

Bluestem Prairie Open Space – Colorado Springs

Image of the mountains in the Bluff and Summit Park in Westcliffe, Colorado

Bluff & Summit Park – Westcliffe

Image of the Bluffs Regional Park in Lone Tree, Colorado

Bluffs Regional Park – Lone Tree

Image of Colorado Springs, Colorado panoramic city view

Boddington Park – Colorado Springs

Boulder Reservoir Regional Park – Boulder

Box Canyon Falls – Ouray

Carter Lake Berthoud Colorado Moon Shining

Carter Lake Reservoir – Loveland

Image of the Centennial Center Park in Colorado

Centennial Center Park – Centennial

Central Park – Denver

Image of the sign for the Challenger Regional Park in Parker, Colorado

Challenger Regional Park – Parker

Chautauqua Park & Historic Landmark – Boulder

Cheesman Park – Denver

City Park – Denver

Civic Center Park – Denver

Image of the Commons Park sign in Denver, Colorado

Commons Park – Denver

Confluence Park – Denver

Confluence Park & Lake – Delta

Coyote Ridge Natural Area – Fort Collins

Crown Hill Lake – Wheat Ridge-Lakewood

Cuchara Mountain Park

Daniels Park – Sedalia

Image of the construction of the David A Lorenz Park in Highlands Ranch, Colorado

David A. Lorenz Regional Park – Highlands Ranch

Image of the eagle sculpture in the Dennis Weaver Memorial Park in Ridgway, Colorado

Dennis Weaver Memorial Park – Ridgway

Devil’s Backbone Open Space – Loveland

Dillon Reservoir Recreation Area – Frisco

Echo Lake Mountain Park – Idaho Springs

Evergreen Lake Park – Evergreen

Fort Collins City Park – Fort Collins

Image of the Fountain Creek Regional Park in Colorado looking out at Pikes Peak

Fountain Creek Regional Park – Fountain

Garden of the Gods National Natural Landmark

Garden of the Gods Park – Colorado Springs

Image of the sign to the Gateway Natural Area in Colorado

Gateway Natural Area – Bellvue

Georgetown Lake – Georgetown

Image of the town of Colorado Springs in Colorado

Gold Camp Park – Colorado Springs

Image of Golden Ponds Park in Longmont, Colorado colored pink and blue

Golden Ponds Park & Nature Area – Longmont

Gossage Youth Sports Complex – Colorado Springs

Green Mountain (William Frederick Hayden) Park – Lakewood

Gross Reservoir – Nederland

Image of the Harper Lake in Louisville, Colorado

Harper Lake – Louisville

Image of Harry A. Nottingham Park in Avon, Colorado

Harry A. Nottingham Park – Avon

Image of Hermit Park Open Space in Estes Park, Colorado

Hermit Park Open Space – Estes Park

Image of elk in the Highlands Ranch Wilderness Area in Colorado

Highlands Ranch Backcountry Wilderness Area

Hogback Open Space Recreation Area – Cañon City

Horsetooth Mountain Open Space – Fort Collins

Horsetooth Reservoir – Fort Collins

Image of the hyland ponds open space in Westminster, Colorado

Hyland Ponds Open Space – Westminster

Image of the sign at Inspiration Point Park in Denver

Inspiration Point Park – Denver

Island Grove Regional Park – Greeley

Jefferson County Open Space South Valley Park

Jefferson County Open Space – Golden-Lakewood-Evergreen

John Denver Sanctuary – Aspen

Image of a trail at the John Griffin Regional Park in Canon City, Colorado

John Griffin Regional Park – Cañon City

Keystone Lake – Keystone

Image of a the entrance to Lair o' the Bear Park in Idledale, Colorado

Lair o’ the Bear Park – Idledale

Lake Nighthorse – Durango

Lake San Cristobal – Lake City

Maxwell Natural Area – Fort Collins

McIntosh Lake Nature Area – Longmont

Memorial Park – Colorado Springs

Monument Lake – Monument

Image of the Monument Valley Park sign in Colorado Springs, Colorado

Monument Valley Park – Colorado Springs

Mount Falcon Park – Morrison

North Cheyenne Canon Park in Colorado Spring

North Cheyenne Cañon Park – Colorado Springs

Crystal Creek Reservoir North Slope Recreation Area Pikes Peak

North Slope Recreation Area – Cascade

North Table Mountain Park – Golden

Colorful Colorado Paint Mines Interpretive Park

Paint Mines Interpretive Park – Calhan

Palmer Lake Recreation Area – Palmer Lake

Palmer Park – Colorado Springs

Paonia River Park

Image of kids playing on the playground at Parish Park in Johnstown, Colorado

Parish Park – Johnstown

Phillip S. Miller Park Soccer Field Castle Rock CO

Philip S. Miller Park – Castle Rock

Pine Valley Ranch Park – Pine

Pineridge Natural Area – Fort Collins

Pinewood Reservoir – Loveland

Image of the Poudre Ponds in Greeley, Colorado

Poudre Ponds – Greeley

Quail Lake Park – Colorado Springs

Image of the Pinewood Reservoir at Ramsay-Shockey Open Space in Loveland, Colorado

Ramsay-Shockey Open Space – Loveland

Image of the Red Canyon Park in Canon City, Colorado

Red Canyon Park – Cañon City

Red Fox Meadows Natural Area – Fort Collins

Red Mountain Open Space – Fort Collins

Red Rock Canyon Open Space in Colorado Springs

Red Rock Canyon Open Space – Colorado Springs

Image of the audience at Red Rocks in Morrison, Colorado

Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre – Morrison

Reservoir Ridge Natural Area – Fort Collins

Image of the North Fork Trail at Reynolds Park in Conifer, Colorado

Reynolds Park – Conifer

Rifle Mountain Park – Rifle

Rimrock Open Space – Fort Collins

Image of the sunset reflecting on the water at at Riverbend Ponds Natural Area in Fort Collins, Colorado

Riverbend Ponds Natural Area – Fort Collins

Image of the Rocky Mountain Lake Park in Denver, Colorado

Rocky Mountain Lake Park – Denver

Image of Rotary Park looking out at Horsetooth Reservoir in Fort Collins, Colorado

Rotary Park Open Space – Fort Collins

Sandstone Ranch Open Space – Larkspur

Image of a goat lounging at Schweiger Ranch in Lone Tree, Colorado

Schweiger Ranch – Lone Tree

Sloan’s Lake Park – Denver

Image of the Soapstone Prairie Natural Area Lindenmeier Site in Fort Collins, Colorado

Soapstone Prairie Natural Area – Wellington

Image of the South Cheyenne Canyon from the Seven Falls in Colorado Springs

South Cheyenne Cañon Park – Colorado Springs

South Platte Park Littleton Colorado Springtime

South Platte Park and Carson Nature Center – Littleton

Image of South Table Mountain and Castle Rock in Golden, Colorado

South Table Mountain Park – Golden

Image of a dog at the Spruce Mountain Open Space in Larkspur, Colorado

Spruce Mountain Open Space – Larkspur

Standley Lake Regional Park – Westminster

Summit Lake National Natural Landmark Colorado

Summit Lake Park – Idaho Springs

Image of the Sunken Gardens Park in Denver, Colorado

Sunken Gardens Park – Denver

Image of Temple Canyon in Canon City, Colorado

Temple Canyon Park – Cañon City

Town Park – Telluride

Ute Valley Park – Colorado Springs

Vallecito Lake – Bayfield

Image of flowers blooming at Viestenz-Smith Mountain Park in Loveland, Colorado

Viestenz-Smith Mountain Park – Loveland

Image of the Walden Ponds Wildlife Habitat in Boulder, Colorado

Walden Ponds Wildlife Habitat – Boulder

Image of the Waneka Lake in Lafayette, Colorado

Waneka Lake Park – Lafayette

Washington Park – Denver

Waterton Canyon – Littleton

Westminster City Park – Westerminster

Image of scenic views at White Ranch Park in Golden, Colorado

White Ranch Park – Golden

Wolford Mountain Reservoir – Kremmling

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.