Everything NATURE

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The name Colorado conjures up images of snowy mountains, breathtaking hiking trails, and days spent outside under the sun. Metro-area families have a wealth of natural resources, such as parks, zoos, and nature centers, to help them take advantage of the temperate Rocky Mountain days.

Zoos & Animal Encounters Take your kids out and about to see real wild creatures—from butterflies to giraffes—at venues around town.

Buffalo Herd Nature Preserve See where the bison—direct descendants of the last wild buffalo in America—roam. Off I-70 at Genesee Park, Exit 254.

Butterfly Pavilion Visit the tropical conservatory where more than 1,600 butterflies fly freely. Other exhibit areas feature insects and sea invertebrates. 6252 W. 104th Ave., Westminster. butterflies.org

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Head an hour and a half south of Denver to America’s mountain zoo, featuring expansive views and 750 animals. 4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Rd., Colorado Springs. cmzoo.org

Denver Zoo Take a peek at everything from Amur tigers to Komodo dragons. Hand-feed giraffes in the Giraffe Encounter or walk under tigers at The Edge. City Park, 2300 Steele St., Denver. denverzoo.org

Downtown Aquarium View sea life, hundreds of fish species, and more. Take a seat at the restaurant to extend the stay. 700 Water St., Denver. aquariumrestaurants.com

The Wild Animal Sanctuary Observe bears, wolves, leopards, lions, and more from a 1.5 milelong elevated walkway. The sanctuary provides a home to exotic carnivores that have been abused, Visit some of Denver’s most entertaining residents at the Denver Zoo.

abandoned, or kept illegally as pets. 1946 County Rd. 53, Keenesburg. wildanimalsanctuary.org

State Parks Blue skies, fresh air, and open space make Colorado a great place to play outdoors. Whether you lace up your boots or hop on a bike, pack some water and sunscreen for a day of exploring at one of Colorado’s nature parks. Hike, bike, swim, boat, or fish in the warm seasons or snowshoe or cross-country ski in the winter. The parks below are close to the Denver area. Visit cpw.state.co.us for a complete description of Colorado state parks, plus information on reservations and fees.

Castlewood Canyon State Park Hiking and rock climbing, along with a variety of children’s programs, make this a fun day-trip getaway just outside of Castle Rock. Activity backpacks with discovery tools, a trail guide, and more for kids may be checked out at the visitor center to use while hiking. 2989 S. State Highway 83, Franktown.

Chatfield State Park Nestled against the foothills, Chatfield offers hiking, biking, boating, fishing, and camping, along with a seasonal swim beach. 11500 N. Roxborough Park Rd., Littleton.

Cherry Creek State Park Set near Denver Tech Center, families can enjoy camping, picnicking, bird-watching, boating, fishing, and seasonal swimming. 4201 S. Parker Rd., Aurora.

Roxborough State Park Hike among red rock formations or participate in an educational program at this Littleton gem. 4751 E. Roxborough Dr., Roxborough.

Nature Centers and Botanic Gardens Enhance your experience in the great outdoors with a visit to one of these informative centers.

Bear Creek Lake Park An indoor nature center features wildlife displays and information. Naturalist-led activities for all ages take place year-round. 15600 W. Morrison Rd., Lakewood. lakewood.org/bclp

Bluff Lake Nature Center Explore native habitats, waterfowl, and wildlife. Enjoy family days and after school programs. 3400 Havana Way, Denver. blufflake.org

Carson Nature Center This facility offers interactive displays and year-round programs about the history of South Platte River along with kid- and family-friendly programs. 3000 W. Carson Dr., Littleton. ssprd.org/nature

Denver Botanic Gardens Acres of specialty gardens, including the Mordecai Children’s Garden, kid-friendly events, and classes make this a favorite destination for families. 1007 York St., Denver. botanicgardens.org

Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms

This working farm, located along the banks of Deer Creek in southern Jefferson County, serves up plenty of fun for children and families. 8500 W. Deer Creek Canyon Rd., Littleton. botanicgardens.org Marvel at the year-round beauty during a visit to Denver Botanic Gardens at York Street.

Hudson Gardens Get your daily dose of nature, and be sure to visit the miniature model garden railroad that crosses bridges and waterfalls at this expansive facility. 6115 S. Santa Fe Dr., Littleton. hudsongardens.org

Lookout Mountain Nature Center Wildlife displays and areas for kids, along with numerous year-round activities, make for a special foothills trip. 910 Colorow Rd., Golden. jeffco.us/parks

Majestic View Nature Center Visitors can enjoy exhibits, hands-on displays, classes for kids, and more than 80 acres of nature to explore. 7030 Garrison St., Arvada. arvada.org/nature

Plains Conservation Center Discover the natural wonder of Colorado’s high plains. Events include full-moon walks, prairie preschool, and wagon rides. 21901 E. Hampden Ave., two miles east of Tower Rd., aurora.plainsconservationcenter.org

Thorne Nature Experience Kids connect with nature through various hands-on programs. Thorne’s summer camp is a fun way for kids to learn and adventure. 1466 N. 63rd St., Boulder. thornenature.org

Family Hikes for Every Season Colorado is a hiking state. Sun, rain, or snow, families head out for a daily dose of nature. Thanks to countless trails for all skill levels— from easy walk to challenging climb—parents don’t have to look far to find kid-friendly hikes any time of the year. Check out our picks for the best seasonal hikes close to Denver.

Summer

Chautauqua Park, Boulder

Looking at the sea of families and hikers who regularly hit the trails at Chautauqua before brunch, one could easily mistake the Boulder spot for a place full of easy hikes. However, hiking Chautauqua can be less or more challenging, depending on your choices. Trails range from short meandering paths through the meadow to steep all day hikes to the surrounding flatirons and peaks. Traffic and parking can be difficult, so get there early (as early as possible with kids) or watch for the Park to Park Chautauqua Shuttle on summer weekends. bouldercolorado.gov

Fall

Kenosha Pass, Near Grant

The backdrop of many fall Instagram posts, Kenosha Pass is a popular hiking spot for family photo ops and a view of golden groves of changing aspen leaves. Just under an hour and a half southwest of Denver near Jefferson and Grant, Kenosha Pass is home to both easy hikes and a 10-plus-mile trail, making the trip customizable for families based on ability. The impressive views of the glimmering aspen leaves, and Families can explore the lives of Colorado’s prehistoric inhabitants during a hike on Dinosaur Ridge Trail in Morrison.

if you’re lucky, a light dusting of snow, make Kenosha Pass a classic fall hiking spot. fs.usda.gov

Winter

Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park

When temperatures linger below 30 degrees, snowshoes allow hikers to stay on the trails. Rocky Mountain National Park, just 10 minutes from Estes Park, takes families away from I-70 traffic and ski resort chaos with views of snowcovered mountains and a variety of trails. After snowshoeing at family-friendly Emerald Lake Trail, explore Estes Park. The popular town is filled with places to sip hot chocolate or eat a hearty meal. Entrance into the park is $25 per car and snowshoes are available to rent for $5 per day at Estes Park Mountain Shop. nps.gov/romo

Spring

Dinosaur Ridge Trail, Morrison

Dinosaur Ridge is known for its historically significant dinosaur tracks and bones—it’s the site of the first stegosaurus discovery, after all. With more than 15 fossil and geologic sites and a short, 2-mile round-trip trail, even the youngest hikers enjoy this dino-studded spot. When the spring thaw brings the return of warm days, inspire curiosity and wonder with a visit to this trail. After the hike, stop at the visitors center for a guided tour or head to the Morrison Natural History Museum, a short drive down the road, for more dinosaur learning. dinoridge.org

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