The 18 best parks along the Front Range in Colorado
Colorado’s Front Range is the gateway to mountain adventures. The range is part of the southern portion of the Rocky Mountains through North America, stretching through a central portion of Colorado to a southeastern portion of Wyoming. Here are 18 of the best parks and open spaces found along the Front Range in Colorado.
Chautauqua Park (Photo) Credit FashionAnatomy (iStock)
1. Chautauqua Park
Chautauqua Park in Boulder offers plenty of activities ranging from tennis, playgrounds, and hiking. The park’s trailhead is most known as the entry point for the Flatirons.
Photo Credit: FashionAnatomy (iStock).
Eldorado Canyon State Park (Photo) Credit F Delventhal (flickr)
2. Eldorado Canyon State Park
Eldorado Canyon is one of dozens of Colorado state parks. This canyon, near Boulder, offers more than 500 technical rock climbing routes that lure climbers from around the world. The beauty of the canyon is sure to please anyone who visits. Other outdoor adventures include hiking, mountain biking, fishing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.
Photo Credit: F Delventhal (flickr).
Golden Gate Canyon State Park (Photo) Credit Brian (flickr)
3. Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Golden Gate Canyon State Park is home to more than 35 miles of hiking trails. Each of the 12 trails in this park near Golden are named after an animal and marked with the animal’s footprint. The trail system also includes designated trails for hikers-only. Mountain bikers and equestrians are able to use some trails in the park.
Photo Credit: Brian (flickr).
North Table Mountain Park (Photo) Credit Georgialh (Wikipedia Creative Commons)
4. North Table Mountain Park
North Table Mountain Park located near Golden offers great views of Denver and the far-reaching plains below the foothills of the Front Range. Popular activities here include hiking and mountain biking on more than 15 miles of trails. There are also several renowned rock climbing routes at this location.
Photo Credit: Georgialh (Wikipedia Creative Commons).
South Valley Park (Photo) Credit Adam-Springer (iStock)
5. South Valley Park
South Valley Park near Littleton is a beautiful landscape with dramatic red rock formations. The mountain biking and hiking trails here are great options for beginners or those looking for a leisurely outing in level terrain.
Author’s Note: Climbing the sandstone rocks is prohibited in the park due to the highly erosive nature of the rocks.
Photo Credit: Adam-Springer (iStock).
Chatfield State Park (Photo) Credit Ken Papaleo
6. Chatfield State Park
Chatfield State Park near Denver offers some of the best water activities along the Front Range in Colorado. Kayaking, paddle boarding, boating, and fishing are common activities here. The park is also home to nearly 200 campsites, along with numerous hiking and mountain biking trails and scenic views sure to satisfy.
Photo Credit: Ken Papaleo
Roxborough State Park (Photo) Credit Adam-Springer (iStock)
7. Roxborough State Park
Known as Denver’s ‘backyard jewel,’ Roxborough State Park encompasses nearly 4,000 acres of natural beauty. Find unique red rock formations, abundant plant life, and diverse wildlife at this park.
Photo Credit: Adam-Springer (iStock).
Castlewood Canyon State Park (Phtoto) Courtesy Colorado Parks and Wildlife
8. Castlewood Canyon State Park
Nestled in the quiet community of Franktown is Castlewood Canyon State Park. This Front Range destination provides great views of the foothills, canyons, creeks, and more.
Photo courtesy of Vic Schendel via Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Spruce Mountain Open Space (Photo) Credit Seth Boster, The Gazette
9. Spruce Mountain Open Space
Found just outside of Denver, Spruce Mountain Open Space near Castle Rock is another popular Front Range destination. Home to approximately 8.5 miles of trails suited for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking, views of the Front Range are easy to reach here.
Photo Credit: Seth Boster, The Gazette.
Fox Run Regional Park (Photo) Credit Seth Boster
10. Fox Run Regional Park
Fox Run Regional Park in Colorado Springs is filled with ponderosa pines that glow with a vibrant green during summer months. The park also features two ponds perfect for a serene experience along the Front Range in Colorado, as well as multi-use trails, a climbing rock, gazebos, and playgrounds.
Photo Credit: Seth Boster, The Gazette.
Ute Valley Park (Photo) Credit Miguel Vieira (flickr)
11. Ute Valley Park
Ute Valley Park is one of the most popular recreational areas along the Front Range in Colorado Springs, and for good reason. The park features awesome trails with views of unique rock walls, arches, Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs, and more.
Author’s Note: Rattlesnake encounters are common at Ute Valley Park. Be aware of the space around you and look carefully where you step.
Photo Credit: Miguel Vieira (flickr).
Garden of the Gods (Photo) Credit Sean Pavone (iStock)
12. Garden of the Gods
One of the most well-known public parks in the country is found in the foothills of the Front Range. Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs is a must-see destination whether one is driving through the park, embark on an all-day adventure via hiking trails, or stroll along the paved route. Horseback rides are also a popular activity here.
Photo Credit: Sean Pavone (iStock).
Garden of the Gods (Photo) Credit RondaKimbrow (iStock)
12. Garden of the Gods (cont.)
Even just the shortest of walks at Garden of the Gods can reward visitors with stunning views of this destination’s iconic red rocks. Look out for a few notable sandstone formations such as Kissing Camels, Siamese Twins, and Balanced Rock.
Photo Credit: RondaKimbrow (iStock).
Red Rock Canyon Open Space (Photo) Credit SWKrullImaging (iStock)
13. Red Rock Canyon Open Space
Red Rock Canyon Open Space is another popular park along the Front Range and it comes with a unique history. See the retired red rock quarry, hone your riding skills at the bike park, and let your furry friend roam off-leash at the dog park in this Colorado Springs open space.
Photo Credit: SWKrullImaging (iStock).
North Cheyenne Cañon Park (Photo) Credit Leslie James
14. North Cheyenne Cañon Park
Waterfalls, babbling streams, jagged rock cliffs, and dense pine forests can all be found tucked into North Cheyenne Cañon Park in Colorado Springs. This park encompasses unique features found deep within the foothills of the Front Range. Reach the summits of Mount Rosa, Mount Cutler, or Mount Muscoco for breathtaking views of Colorado Springs and beyond.
Author’s Note: This park sees very high-volume traffic year-round. Parking along the paved road up the canyon is prohibited outside of designated lots. If parking lots are full, venture onto other Colorado Springs parks just minutes away, such as Red Rock Canyon Open Space or Cheyenne Mountain State Park.
Photo Credit: Leslie James, OutThere Colorado.
Cheyenne Mountain State Park (Photo) Credit Miguel Vieira (flickr)
15. Cheyenne Mountain State Park
Cheyenne Mountain State Park offers hiking, wildlife viewing, camping, and mountain biking year-round along more than 28 miles of trails in Colorado Springs.
Photo Credit: Miguel Vieira (flickr).
Cañon City trails (Photo) Courtesy Ashlee Sack, Fremont Adventure Recreation
16. Hogbacks Open Space
Perhaps one of the most historically unique Front Range parks in Colorado is Hogbacks Open Space in the Royal Gorge Region. Scientists say parts of Colorado used to be under water, but see the fossilized evidence for yourself along the park’s hiking and mountain biking trails.
Author’s Note: Due to the clay-like nature of trails in the area, safety closures are enforced during and after precipitation events. Check trail conditions here.
File photo. Photo by Ashlee Sack, Fremont Adventure Recreation.
Oil Well Flats (Photo) Credit Jeff Gratzmiller
17. Oil Well Flats
Often called the most extensive trail system of the Royal Gorge Region, the Oil Well Flats park is located in the southern portion of the Front Range. It’s a popular spot for mountain bikers who seek glorious single track rides.
Author’s Note: Due to the clay-like nature of trails in the area, safety closures are enforced during and after precipitation events. Check trail conditions here.
Photo Credit: Jeff Gratzmiller
Temple Canyon Park (Photo) Courtesy of Royal Gorge Region
18. Temple Canyon Park
A more secluded Colorado park is Temple Canyon Park in the southern Front Range. Along the Redemption Trail is a rock alcove, dubbed the “temple,” that the canyon is named after. It’s believed to be a past ceremonial site of the Ute Indians.
Photo courtesy of Royal Gorge Region.
Bear Creek Park, Denver area (Photo) Credit SeanXu (iStock)
Leave No Trace
Whichever route you take, be sure to follow the Leave No Trace principles in order to care for and protect Colorado’s diverse natural environments. Be aware of your surroundings to avoid encounters with wildlife, take safety measures to prevent emergencies in the wilderness, and always share your outdoor plans with someone outside of your adventure group.
Photo Credit: SeanXu (iStock).
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