Avid4 Adventure Journal

50+ Colorado Bike & Hike Trails, Climbing & Paddling Areas (+ Map!)

Written by Andrea Stutesman | June 24, 2019

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50+ Colorado Outdoor Family Recreation Areas

Parents often ask us where we take kids hiking, biking, paddling and climbing at our summer adventure camps for pre k - 12th graders. Below are a few of our top Colorado mountain biking trails, hiking trails, rock climbing spots and paddling areas for family outdoor adventures. So, grab the kids, bikes, paddles, backpacks or whatever and head out to these favorite Colorado outdoor recreation areas! What are you waiting for? No matter the season, adventure awaits for your entire family. (To get an email with a map of even more recreation areas where you can click each location and receive specific recreation area and trail information right on the map, fill out the form above!)

The list below is long, but it’s broken down by locations, so simply scroll down to find your community to find local outdoor recreation areas for your family. Of course, we hope you branch out and explore, too!

Boulder Area

Rock climbing

Boulder Canyon  | Crown Rock  | Elephant Buttress  | Gregory Canyon

Biking

Doudy Draw  | Eagle Trail  | Flatirons Vista | Marshall Mesa

Kayaking / Stand Up Paddleboarding

Boulder Reservoir  | Clear Creek | Whitewater Park, St. Vrain

Canoeing

Boulder Reservoir

Hiking

Green Mountain  | Mt. Sanitas  | Royal Arch | Shanahan Ridge

Denver Area

Biking

Hayden Park  | Van Bibber Open Space | Westerly Creek Green Space

Kayaking / Canoeing / Stand Up Paddleboarding

Aurora Reservoir

Hiking

Rocky Mountain Arsenal

Denver - Continued

Rock climbing

Clear Creek Canyon  | Morrison Cliffs | North Table Mountain

Biking

Bear Creek Lake Park  | Chatfield State Park  | Elk Meadow Park  | Hayden Park  | Hildebrand Ranch Park | Lair o’ the Bear | Mount Falcon Park | Van Bibber Open Space | Washington Park

Kayaking

Cherry Creek State Park

Canoeing

Sloan’s Lake  | Smith Lake

Stand Up Paddleboarding

Chatfield State Park

Hiking

Apex Park  | Cherry Creek State Park  | Genesee Park  | Mt. Galbriath Park | Red Rocks Park | Windy Saddle Park

Golden Area

Rock climbing

Morrison Cliffs  | North Table Mountain

Biking

Bear Creek Lake Park  | Flying J Ranch Park  | Hayden Park | South Valley Park | Three Sisters Park

Kayaking / Stand Up Paddleboarding

Bear Creek Lake Park  | Clear Creek | South Platte

Canoeing

Bear Creek Lake Park

Hiking

Matthews/Winters Park  | White Ranch Park | Windy Saddle Park

Highlands Ranch Area

Rock climbing

Clear Creek Canyon  | Morrison Cliffs | North Table Mountain

Biking

Chatfield State Park  | Dawson Butte  | Flying J Ranch Park | Hidden Mesa Open Space | Meyer Ranch Park | South Valley Park | Waterton Canyon

Kayaking

Chatfield State Park  | Clear Creek | South Platte

Canoeing

Chatfield State Park

Hiking

Deer Creek Canyon Park  | Hildebrand Ranch Park  | South Valley Park | Waterton Canyon

Have fun using this list to experience outdoor activities as a family! Can you think of any great spots we're missing? Let us know in the comments! 

To receive an email with access to our interactive map where you can easily get directions to each Colorado recreation area, information on specific routes and parks, park entrance fees, access to water, shade and bathrooms, trail recommendations and more, enter your name and email address on the form at the top of the page.