Evergreen, Colorado

Evergreen is one of the closest mountain towns to the capital. Naturally, many locals commute to the Denver Metro area for work. The historic downtown area sits at an elevation of 7,165 feet and has a charming strip of boutique shops and restaurants.

Because of its proximity to both the mountains and Denver, Evergreen is a small but charming hub for any type of person. You can find everything from arts and culture, dining, and sports, to fun annual festivals in this charming town nestled in the foothills of Jefferson County. 9,307 people called the townhome as of 2020.

History

Heritage park — Hiwan Heritage Park in Evergreen, CO. Photo by: Jefferson County

Before the town became a hot spot for outdoor recreation, it used to be a hunting ground for the Ute Indians. By 1860, settlers had converted the land to farms and ranches and the residents created an economy based on lumber trade.

Eventually, the area became known for its proximity to nature and scenic landscape, which inspired the name Evergreen. When the dam was constructed in 1928 and the Evergreen Reservoir was created, the town gained even more popularity. It became a notable getaway for celebrities of Old Hollywood including Greta Garbo and Teddy Roosevelt.

Main Attractions

Evergreen Lake CO Lakehouse — Evergreen Lake, CO. Photo by: Rob Lee

Evergreen Lake – A large lake situated in downtown Evergreen. It’s popular year-round for recreation including wake-less boating in the summer and ice skating in the winter. The Lake House rents boats, including canoes, paddle-boats, kayaks, sailboats, and fishing boats from early May to mid-September.

Hiwan Heritage Park – This National Registry of Historic Places member is located within a ponderosa grove in town. It is a great place to explore and learn more about Evergreen’s history.

Read about the top things to do in Evergreen.

Recreation

Mt Evans Byway Biking — Biking up Mt. Evans Byway. Photo by: F Delventhal

Camping

Echo Lake has an eighteen-site campground, with spots for RV’s and tents only. From downtown, take CO 74 north to Mestaa’Ėhehe Pass Rd. Follow for seventeen miles to the campground.
Golden Gate Canyon State Park has several nice campgrounds, about 45 minutes away.
Read about the camping near Evergreen and Mount Evans.

Fishing

Evergreen Lake, in the heart of Evergreen, offers fishing year-round.
Echo Lake is a windy, scenic 20-mile drive from Evergreen. It’s stocked annually with trout. In the summer you can continue a scenic drive up Mt Evans Byway, which closes in late Sept/early Oct and reopens in late May. Summit Lake is further up the byway and freezes over too long to keep trout.

Evergreen Golf Course Deer Colorado — Evergreen Golf Course, Jefferson County, Colorado. Photo by: Kent Kanouse

Golfing – Evergreen Golf Course is located directly across from Evergreen Lake. This picturesque course is well known for its abundant wildlife and challenging alpine holes.

Hiking – Some of the area’s best hiking is right in town. There’s a paved trail that follows Bear Creek from downtown up past Evergreen Lake. Mount Evans Wilderness is also nearby, offering both backpacking and day hiking opportunities. Take the Mount Evans Trail to the top of this 14er. Three Sisters Park East Trailhead is also close to town and has a vast system of trails for hiking and biking.

Accommodations

Rustic interior of hotel — Room interior at Highland Haven Creekside Inn in Evergreen, CO. Photo by: facebook.com/highlandhaven

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Booking.com

The Cabins at Country Road – These beautifully decorated riverside cabins are a great retreat from downtown. The cascading waters will be right in your backyard, and you will receive a complimentary breakfast each morning.

Comfort Suites Golden West – This hotel will surprise you with how nature-oriented it is. Each room is designed to allow maximum natural light in, there are private balconies with gorgeous views, and even hot tubs to enjoy.

Highland Haven Country Creekside – Guests at this outdoor haven can choose from 8 different types of accommodation, ranging from cottages to simple guest rooms.

Juniper Mountain House – Boutique hotel tucked away in the woods with incredible mountain views and a handful of rooms for rent, two of which are pet-friendly.

Read about the best hotels in Evergreen.

Dining

Image of BBQ at Tine Star Smokehouse in Evergreen, Colorado — BBQ platters from Tin Star Smokehouse, located in downtown Evergreen, CO. Photo by: Tin Star Smokehouse

Beau Jo’s Colorado Style Pizza – Offers Colorado-style pizza, noted for its fat crust and whole milk mozzarella.

Da Kind Soups – Known for their extensive selection of made-from-scratch soups and sandwiches.

Saigon Landing – Serving up classic Vietnamese, Thai, and Chinese dishes.

Tin Star Smokehouse – A discreet BBQ cafe on the boardwalk in town with big flavor.

Cactus Jack’s Saloon – A laid-back biker bar with regular live music, good burgers, and cold beer.

Little Bear Saloon – Old West bar with live entertainment six days a week.

Creekside Cellars – Stop by for house-made wine and a huge selection of thoughtfully made Italian dishes.

Read about the top bars in Evergreen.

Special Events

women on horses holding flags — Evergreen Drill Team, one of the groups featured at the Evergreen Rodeo. Photo: Evergreen Rodeo

Jun – Evergreen Rodeo – Two days of rodeo performances and a Saturday parade held over Father’s Day Weekend in mid-June.

Jun – Hops Drops – Hops Drops, formerly Evergreen Music Festival, is a family-friendly music and beer event with live performances, food vendors, kids’ activities, and plenty of beer from some of Colorado’s best craft breweries.

Jul – Evergreen Jazz Festival – Three-day traditional jazz festival in a beautiful mountain setting, with nearly a dozen bands and numerous intimate venues.

Jul – Evergreen Summerfest – Thousands attend this festival in Buchanan Park. It showcases arts, crafts, concerts, and beer and wine tastings over two days.

Nov – Evergreen Winterfest – Head over to Evergreen High School’s mock “Main Street” for hallways lined with arts and crafts vendors. Pick up a one-of-a-kind gift for someone for the upcoming holidays.