matthews/winters park

You can get in about 9 miles of hiking, with some fairly rocky terrain and some decent elevation gain.I use it in the spring as I beging to train for 14er season. Mt. Falcon in Morrison and especially Bear Peak in Boulder are additional good training routes.

This is one of our favorite hikes close to Denver. There is a nice 4 1/2 mile loop over the Morrison Slide. Nice challenging climb to get your heart pumping. Great wildflowers in season. Nice little creek at the beginning and another part way. The first creek has a great little picnic area, with shallow wading water for young children. It is a mountain bike trail, but I have always found the riders to be polite.

Great hike to and from Red Rocks Amphitheater, about 7 miles round trip. Very scenic and relatively easy to do. Watch out for bikers, there are a couple parts with blind corners. However everyone we met a long the trail was very friendly. Once you get to Red Rocks, you can explore the amphitheater, there's a restaurant, gift shop and museum.

A conveniently located park to travelers and locals alike. Right off I-70 at the Red Rocks exit. Great spot for a picnic along the creek, lots of hiking trails that connect to Red Rocks Park as well. Restrooms and free parking. The scenic Hogback Trail is east, right across the highway. A natural park; no ballfields, concession stands, etc. Lots of tall grass so be wary of rattlesnakes in the summer.

A nice variety of trails in the easy-moderate range with a mix of sun and shade at all times of the year. The trail system connects to the Red Rocks trails and is just across the road from the trail along the top of Dinosaur Ridge. You can easily hike for a couple of hours or a full day if you have the desire and time. There is plenty of parking with restroom facilities at the trailhead.

Nice hiking trails and is close to Red Rocks Amphitheater. It's nice to combine the two for a great workout.

Close-in park that that features some of the same rock formations that make up Red Rocks park. A variety of nice trails for hikers and bikers. Also home to the world famous Dinosaur Ridge site which is worth a visit too.

Very convenient for out of towners to find and do a nice day hike. Lots of parking and can be either a short or long hike.

A quick drive up I-70 just into the foothills stop for a quick hike or bike. Limited parking at the entrance can be challenging. Bathroom and picnic facilities. A average 2 mile hike will get you to some great views of Red Rocks park. A more strenuous hike will get you incredible views of the city and surrounding area. Early spring flowers, mule deer, rattle snakes and geocaches will keep you on your toes.

Pleasant is the most I can say about this open space, which is well located adjacent to Red Rocks Park and on the other side of the hogback from Dinosaur Ridge. There's a small stream and a pleasant meadow that leads up to the hills, as well as a trail that leads down valley to Red Rocks Park. This was the site of an old town back in the gold rush days, but I found nothing to indicate it, other than interpretive signs. If you want a pleasant walk in an open space, fine, but this is not (in my view) a place to go out of your way to see.