Parker, Colorado

Parker is famous for its unique Western-Victorian downtown and its hometown vibe that it has strived to preserve amid growing prosperity. For 22 years, Parker has been named as a Tree City USA for its excellent urban forestry.

The second largest town in Douglas County housing 58,512 people, Parker is now the 19th most populous municipality in the state. It boasts 250 acres of parkland and over 900 acres of open space sitting at 5,869 feet, guaranteeing a great experience for locals and tourists alike.

Popular outdoor activities for nature lovers include horseback riding, hiking, cycling, fishing, and nature walks. The town’s museum and PACE Center (Parker Arts, Culture & Event) are also worth a visit for their rich art, culture, and historic collection.

History

Parker CO Main Street Trick or Treating — Trick or treating on Main Street in Parker. Photo by: Chris Morin

From being a hunting area for American Indians to a refuge for travelers seeking gold and fortune in the 1850s, the Town of Parker has experienced growth and progress in terms of population and industry over the years. The town has evolved from many names like Pine Grove and 20-Mile House before its present name today.

The town was incorporated in 1981. Originally, Parker only had one square mile of land and 300 residents during its incorporation. Now, the town has expanded to 20.8 square miles with thousands of residents enjoying the area.

Main Attractions

Picnic pavilion by a lake — Picnic pavilion at Reuter-Hess Recreation Area. Photo by: Town of Castle Rock

Rueter-Hess Reservoir Recreation – An invaluable source of water to the Douglas County residents, the Reuter-Hess Reservoir has recently added recreation activities in its master plan.

The ones that are already available include paddleboarding, special events, photography tours, National Trails Day guided tours, fishing, Open Swim race, birding watching, and wildlife viewing. Dogs are also welcome but must be on a leash. Drones are not allowed in the reservoir to maintain the water quality.

Discovery Park – Located just next to the town’s library, this relatively new 1.5-acre park hosts events and performances throughout the year. It has a performance stage for concerts, which are available to the public for free every summer. Various public arts can also be seen throughout the place.

Parker Ice Trail is available during winter, seven days a week. A Play Fountain attracts people of all ages, particularly during the summer months. With its programmable water jets and color-changing LED lights, the fountain is quite a sight.

USMC CPL David M. Sonka Dog Park – Named for Corporal David Sonka who was killed in action in Afghanistan with his military dog, it is the first dog park in the Town of Parker. It features around five acres of open space where your pooch can play off-leash. It also includes drinking fountains, an agility course, a small dog area, and shade structures.

Recreation

Parker Colorado McCabe Meadows Open Space — McCabe Meadows Open Space. Photo by: Cathy McCray

Camping – There are no campgrounds in town. Your best bet is to head north to the Cherry Creek State Park Campground in Aurora. Read about the camping near Aurora, Parker, and Brighton.

Disc Golf – Westcreek course is just adjacent to the dog park. It offers a fun and challenging course complete with 18 holes and obstacles for players to enjoy.

Fishing – Bingham Lake is a local favorite. It is a small 30 acre lake within The Pinery, and has largemouth bass, crappie, walleye, and bluegill.

Hiking – The town is filled with multi-use trails for hiking, so you are sure to find the perfect one for whatever type of adventure you want. These include:

Baldwin Gulch Trail
Cherry Creek Trail
East-West Trail
French Creek Trail
Newlin Gulch Trail
Parker Equestrian Trail
Prairie Voice Loop
Preservation Park & Trailhead
Sulphur Gulch Trail
Tallman Gulch Trail
Flat 14ers

Trail along Cherry Creek — View from the Cherry Creek Trail, a 24 mile maintained trail that ends in Parker, CO. Photo by: Cathy McCray

Parker Recreation Center – A one-stop place for fitness and sports enthusiasts, the town’s recreation center features state-of-the-art facilities.

These include a triple gymnasium and auxiliary gymnasium, cardiovascular and circuit equipment, multi-station and free weights, fitness studios, a cycling studio, lap pool with shallow end, activity pool with zero-depth entry, lazy river, water slide, aquatic climbing wall and play structure, and a therapy pool. It also offers fitness and sports classes.

Public parks –

Auburn Hills Community Park
Bar CCC Park
Bayou Gulch Regional Park
Challenger Regional Park
Iron Horse Park
Living Wheel Park
McCabe Meadows
O’Brien Park
Preservation Park and Trailhead
Railbender Skate & Tennis Park
Salisbury Equestrian Park & Sports Complex
Salisbury Park North Expansion
Stroh Ranch Soccer Fields
Tallman Meadow Park
Twenty-Mile Historic Park
Flat 14ers

Accommodations

Booking.com

The Red Farmhouse Bed & Breakfast – A cozy B&B inside of a bright red, rustic-style house. There are 4 suites to choose from, and each come with spacious rooms and a hearty breakfast.

Hampton Inn & Suites Parker – With multiple Certificates of Excellence awarded by TripAdvisor, this spot is sure to be perfect for any type of traveler. The rooms are set up as studios and are notorious for how large they are.

Read about the best hotels in Parker.

Special Events

Parker Colorado July 4th Fireworks Night Sky — Fireworks in Parker, CO. Photo: Patrick McKay

Feb, Jun, Aug, Nov – Annual Run Series – Four family-friendly races are hosted by Parker Recreation every year. The proceeds from each event benefit the scholarship program of the town. It’s a great way to help others while having fun with the community. Take your pick or try them all:

February – Love ’em or Leave ’em Valentine’s Day 5K/10K
June – Cattle Crossing 5K & Family Fun Trek
August – So Long to Summer 5K/10K
Thanksgiving – Turkey Day 5K FUN Run/Walk

May – Senior Stroll – An annual event in celebration of the National Senior Health & Fitness Day where granny and grandpa can engage in a one-mile fun walk, socialize with friends, and enjoy delicious refreshments and giveaways for free.

July – Parker Stars and Stripes Celebration – The town’s own way of celebrating Independence Day every 4th of July; full of music, entertainment, and food trip for the whole family.

Sep – Parker Oktoberfest – Three-day celebration of German heritage held in mid-September. Kick-off fall with beers, bratwurst, and traditional song and dance. Feeling strong? Enter the stein hoist competition.

Nov – Holiday Carriage Rides – Tour Downtown Parker after Thanksgiving in the town’s annual carriage rides, where you can enjoy a 25-minute ride that will take you from Discovery Park, through downtown Main Street, and to O’Brien Park.

Dec – Christmas Carriage Parade – Held every second Saturday of December annually, event-goers can witness a parade of creatively designed wagons, horse-drawn carriages, surreys, and stagecoaches from all over Colorado. Awards and prizes await the best entry for each category. The event is free for all spectators.