The city of Boulder maintains over 60 public parks! This season, you should be out there enjoying them! But, what if you live in Longmont or one of our neighbor towns on the Front Range!? Thankfully, you still have dozens of park options to choose from!
Google Maps - Top Parks Near Boulder
Google Maps - Top Parks Near Longmont
Popular Parks in Boulder
Chautauqua Park - Trails and mountain critters abound at Chautauqua! The Chautauqua Trail itself is a 1.2-mile out-and-back path that is very popular with locals and tourists alike. It is also the Trailhead for over 40 miles of hiking trails, including the Flatirons, canyon paths, and all the way up to summits with views toward the Rocky Mountains. Wildlife that can be seen in Chautauqua include tons of birds, the Desert Cottontail rabbit, the Fox Squirrel, and cute Least Chipmunks (hint, they’re tiny).
Boulder Flatirons - Ah, the Boulder Flatirons. Even though these majestic beauties are not technically “mountains,” they are awe-inspiring in their own right. With five dedicated Flatirons trails, plus a number of side paths, the Flatirons provide tons of hike-ability, climb-ability, and views galore!
Boulder Reservoir - 700 acres of multi-use recreation await you at the reservoir! You and the whole family will have access to swimming at the beach, paddle-boarding, kayaking, boating, and more. Of course, if the water isn’t your thing, you can enjoy a pleasant picnic on the playground, a walk/jog around the park, biking, and wildlife viewing.
Flagstaff Mountain - Care for a challenging but rewarding hike? Then, try Boulder’s 4th highest peak, Flagstaff Mountain! As you climb to its peak at 7,283 feet, you get spectacular views of the Continental Divide, the Boulder range, and the plains to the east. You can even catch sight of wildlife such as deer, turkeys, bobcats, bears, raptors (hawks), and even mountain lions
Bear Peak Trail - Here’s one that will take nearly a full day - Bear Peak. As a Difficult-rated trail, you will want to ensure you’re up to the task. It is a steep 7.4 Mile round-trip, or 8.4 Mile loop that generally takes 3-5 hours to complete. Be cautious, as storms regularly roll through this area and can be quite dangerous. Your best bet is to be off of the mountain before afternoon and evening, to avoid any lightning threats.
Popular Parks in Longmont
Golden Ponds Park & Nature Area - This quaint 94-acre natural park with 4 ponds and 2.6 miles of trail is scenic and idyllic. Abundant birdlife flutter and splash around you, making it an excellent viewing location. 56 Acres of water surface span the 4 ponds, creating an environment ripe for waterfowl like great blue herons and cormorants.
Rough & Ready Park - Need a quieter park for you and the pup? Check out Rough & Ready! It is less populated than other parks most days, giving you and your furry friend plenty of space to run around.
Garden Acres Park - Play Ball! This park caters to the baseball/softball crowd with its ballfields, batting cage, and Cricket pitch(es). In addition to sports areas, it also has playgrounds, a pond, public art, and paved trails.
Union Reservoir Nature Area - This is a 736-acre body of water with access to several recreational activities. It is also one of only a few natural lakes in Colorado, carved out during the last glacial age of Earth. Activities include boating, camping, an off-leash/dog beach area for your pet, windsurfing, and swimming.
Hover Acres Neighborhood Park - This somewhat tiny, 10-acre park packs quite a punch! Amenities include basketball courts, BBQ grills/pits, a crawdad exploration area, horseshoe pit/court, playgrounds, and volleyball courts (sand). You won’t be disappointed by taking a trip over to Hover Park for the afternoon.
Popular Parks of the Front Range
If you’re willing to drive west of Denver a bit, the Front Range has a bunch of parks near Georgetown, Mt. Evans, and Grays Peak.
Eldorado Canyon State Park - Parks, hiking, and rock climbing - that’s what it’s all about here in “Eldo.” Especially all that rock climbing! With over 1,000 technical rock climbing routes, you’re bound to find the boulder that calls your name. If you’re not about to chalk up and climb though, you’ll appreciate hiking or biking over the 11 miles (885 acres) of scenic beauty on trails that range from easy to difficult and connect to mountain ranges outside of the park. Of course, you could also fish in or picnic right next to the South Boulder Creek. In the winter, Eldorado offers hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing to visitors.
City Park (Georgetown, CO) - This adorable town park is located smack-dab in the middle of Georgetown, making it the perfect spot to begin or finish a day-trip into the mountain region. Kids can explore the soft-plastic, textured playground while adults relax under the gazebo or out on the soft, grassy fields. Facilities also include picnic benches, a fireplace, stoves, and trash cans. Reportedly though, the only restroom facility is a porta-potty, so keep that in mind.
Hell’s Hole Trail - Here’s another challenging trail. But, let’s be honest, you knew that would be the case by its name. Here are the gory details, first. Hell’s Hole is an 8-mile out-and-back trail near Idaho Springs, Colorado that will test your hiking spirit! The trail starts with a thick and steep tromp through a large grove of aspen trees. As the trees thin, you are met with 2-3 miles of rocky path, and the steepness level decreases. Finally, you will reach the end of the trail at Hell’s Hole itself, an open meadow with alpine willows growing at the base of Gray Wolf Mountain. With an elevation gain of 1,912 Feet and a peak elevation of 11,522 Feet, this is a trail that will challenge anyone. As your reward though, the aspens are beautiful in Fall, and the views are gorgeous all year round. Additionally, you do have the option of horseback riding, instead of climbing it all yourself…
Mount Evans Scenic Byway - Looking for something a little “off-the-beaten-path?” This 28-mile stretch of highway outside of Denver is the highest paved road in North America. While not technically a park, it is a “fourteener” destination of Colorado, and the sights alone make up for any lack of playscapes and slides. The road snakes its way up nearly 9,000 feet of mountainous terrain, eventually climbing to the foot summit of Mount Evans. Along the way, you will pass Echo Lake, Walter Pesman Alpine Garden, Mount Goliath Trail, and Summit Lake. Any of those spots would be great as pit-stops or whole-day excursions. At the top, you will be greeted by a 0.25-mile trail to the 14,264-foot summit, incredible views, and fantastic panoramic picture spots. Be aware, this road is closed during parts of winter, and only open to cars up to the summit from Memorial Day until Labor Day.
Snake River Arm - Sunbathing, Dillion Lake, and plenty of natural landscape - what more could you ask for? Drop in here to enjoy nature with the relaxing sounds of river water running beside the walking trails area. Or, just soak up the sun in this secluded water spot.
Eisenhower - Johnson Memorial Tunnels - These tunnels aren’t technically parks, but they can lead you to several excursions. Heading out to Breckenridge, Vail, and the rest of the Rockies? These tunnel roads may become your best friend. About 1.5 miles of roadway allow you to travel under the continental divide in under 10 minutes, as opposed to over the divide which could take hours (depending on weather & traffic).
Top Family Parks in Boulder
Chautauqua Park - This park keeps its spot as a top-ranked park, even for kids! With several trails to choose from, you can create a “pick your own adventure” for the whole family day out.
Eben Fine Park - With access to a playground, picnic area, natural lands, a multi-use path, and tubing, you’re sure to find something “fine” here at the park!
Scott Carpenter Park - This is a great park for families, with playgrounds, swimming pools, a skate park, and more! You could spend a whole day at Scott Carpenter and still not “see it all.”
East Palo Park - Here’s another one that the kids will love! The park has a fantastic woodland-themed playground for little ones, especially toddlers. There’s also a sandpit, so bring your best castle-building skills. 🏰
Crestview Park - Hiding behind Crestview Elementary school is this gem in North Boulder. With a sandy play area, swings, a big grassy field, and toddler play structures, you and the kid(s) will find plenty of entertainment. Crestview park was renovated in 2015, but keep in mind that it does not have restrooms or barbeque pits.
Top Family Parks in Longmont
Niwot Children’s Park - Need a spot dedicated to young children? Then, look no further than Niwot Children’s Park. This park, which opened in 2016, boasts a host of kid-centric elements. Natural landscaping, several play structures, a large wooly mammoth, and fossils representing Colorado’s history are just a few of the features that you and the kid(s) can enjoy.
Golden Ponds Park & Nature Area - Easy parking, slightly tucked away from the busy streets, with beautiful lakes, rivers, and even a waterfall! The only issue with this park is some occasional plane noise overhead.
Steven Day Park - The exciting playscape, shady trees, and solid picnic tables make it great for a day out with the kids!
Kanemoto Park - Donated to the city of Longmont in 1966 by the Kanemoto family, this park is a 7-acre, renovated playspace. Several play structures dot the area, and a kiddy pool serves to cool everyone off. The park also features amenities such as basketball courts, outdoor fitness equipment, picnic areas, and paved trails.
Sandstone Ranch Community Park - A little bit of everything - Baseball fields, a playground, walking paths, soccer fields, skate park, and a lake! For adults and older children, there is even Wi-Fi available!
There are a ton of parks in and around the Front Range. Plenty to explore for you, the family, and even your furry friend. So, get out there and enjoy the sunshine today, before the storm hits tomorrow!
We at WK Real Estate want to wish you the happiest of times during this season. If there is anything we can help you with, please don't hesitate to contact us.