Outdoor Recreation in Golden

Parks

The parks and recreation department of Golden has worked hard to provide open spaces where you can enjoy the natural beauty of Colorado. Whether you're looking for a place to relax on the grass, a good running track, a place to take the kids to run off some excess energy, or a place for a good pick up game, one of our many parks will fit the bill.

The Parks of Golden

It’s no wonder why so many of Golden's residents love the outdoors. Golden is surrounded by the natural beauty of Colorado, from the Rocky Mountains to Cold Creek. It’s hard to believe you’re so close to the urban crawl of Denver.

Explore the parks of Golden and truly appreciate the beauty of the land. You can find out more about the parks in and around the neighborhoods you’re interested in right here.

City Parks

Beverly Heights Park – Located on Goldenvue Drive and 19th Street you will find Beverly Heights Park. At the foot of Mount Zion, Beverly Heights Park is popular with bicyclists. You’ll also find a playground for the kids and a walking trail to enjoy the outdoors as you get a little exercise in.

Cressman Park – You can find Cressman Park on Mesa Court and Wyoming Street. As you might imagine, Cressman Park is located along the Cressman Gulch Trail. You’ll also find a playground here, and a picnic table.

Discovery Park – One of our newer parks, this little park features unique playground equipment. Rather than offering the typical jungle gyms made of metal bars, the younger residents of Golden can climb a dinosaur or a brass tortoise. Discovery Park also features a digging pit complete with dinosaur bones, a grass maze, and a climbing wall. Discovery Park is located on Illinois and 23rd Streets.

Golden Heights Park – Found on Quaker Street and West 2nd Place, Golden Heights Park is a favorite of sports enthusiasts. The steep hillside, climbing into the Rocky Mountains, makes for a great sledding area in the winter. You’ll also find a skate park, fitness loops, ballfield backstop, and eight soccer fields. Additionally, there’s a covered pavilion you can rent out during the summer.

Heritage Dells Park – Located on Kimball Avenue and Crawford Circle is a park tucked into the foothills. Originally built to serve the Heritage Dells Subdivision, this little park is a great place to sled in the winter. This is the midpoint of the Kinney Run Trail and contains a basketball court, a playground, and plenty of green hills.

Hockeystop Park – For fans of inline hockey, this park will be well known. You’ll often find pick up games here when the Recreation Department isn’t using the rink for official leagues.

Lions Park – As one might imagine, Lions Park was built by the Lions Club. Located at 10th Street, this park is home to the community’s grand Fourth of July celebration as well as the Golden Community Center. There’s plenty to do here. Fish from the picturesque little pond, enjoy Clear Creek’s Kayak Course, or enjoy the Sand Volleyball and Horseshoe pits.

Lions Ball Fields – Another project of the Lions Club, the ball fiend park is located on Maple and 10th Streets on the bank of Clear Creek. You’ll be familiar with this park and its two ball fields if you or a loved one are part of the boy’s baseball team or the senior, girls, and women’s softball teams. Also on site, you will find a fitness course and a basketball court.

New Loveland Mine Park – Built on the site of the New Loveland Mine, this park has been converted to a lovely green area for the neighborhood. There’s a playground and walking loop. Enjoy the view!

Norman D. Park – Made possible by a generous donation of land from the Perry family in memory of Norman D. Perry, this park offers views of the mountains and foothills of Colorado. You’ll find a trail for walking, a pet friendly drinking fountain, a playground, and plenty of picnic tables where you can eat lunch and enjoy the view.

Parfet Park – Found on Washington Avenue and 10th Street, Parfet Park is the oldest park in Golden. Built at the beginning of the 20th century, residents of Golden typically end up spending time here several times a year. July brings Buffalo Bill Days. The park is always alive with some event or another and is located conveniently near downtown. There are volleyball nets set up on the sand and grass. The stream is a popular fishing spot. The park is a stop along the Clear Creek Corridor and Regional Trail. It’s a favorite here in Golden.

Rooney Road Sports Complex – The sports enthusiasts in your family will be spending a lot of time here. Here you will find five sports fields used for soccer, lacrosse, and football.

Southridge Park – Located on Violet Street and 16th Avenue, this park has tennis and basketball courts, an in-line hockey rink, a playground, and a large open space that’s great for soccer games and lunch in the shade.

Tony Grampsas Memorial Sports Complex – With a great view of North Table Mountain, this park is a favorite for the active residents of Golden. Here you will find several ballfields, some of which are reservable by the general public, a sand volleyball pit, several horseshoe pits, a trail that winds through the Osage orange trees and cottonwoods, a dog park for the furry residents of Golden, an archery range and a bike park. There’s always something to do here.

Ulysses Sports Complex – Overlooking Golden, the view of the Platte Valley is just another perk of visiting the Ulysses Sports Complex on Ulysses Street. As you might imagine, you can enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities here. There’s always something on. There are five ball fields, a fitness loop for runners, bikers, and walkers, soccer fields and a batting cage that is available seasonally. The wide open space makes it a great place to fly a kite and the skateboard park is a favorite. Ulysses Sports Complex is also home to Home’s Run – a dog park with plenty of room for the fuzzy residents of Golden to run around.

Vanover Park – Located on Water and Ford Streets, Vanover Park is tucked alongside Clear Creek, offering a picturesque and peaceful atmosphere. Vanover Park was once home to one of Colorado’s oldest and largest Cottonwood Trees, though that tree has since been removed.White Ash Mine Park – The playground at White Ash Mine Park is built to accommodate many age ranges. They are zoned off according to age giving plenty of play spaces for toddlers on up to older children. It’s a good place for a pick up game of soccer or baseball, and the basketball court is built specifically for 3 on 3 games. You’ll find White Ash Mine Park on White Ash Drive

Trails

With mountains and forest all around, it's no wonder that Golden has so many walking trails and easy hikes. Take in the scenery and find out why so many of Golden's residents are the outdoor type.

Anyone will tell you, living in Colorado is experiencing some of the most beautiful land America has to offer. Just walking around Golden alone you can take in the natural beauty all around you. For the more adventurous, Golden is surrounded by rolling hills and mountains.

To keep our citizens safe even out in the wild, you’ll find over 24 miles worth of well maintained trails in and around Golden. There’s something for everyone no matter what your skill level or interest.

What are you waiting for? Get out there and explore the great outdoors today.

Apex Trail – Part of the Jefferson County Trail system, Apex trail travels throughout the eastern part of Golden. The trail is 2.3 miles long and ascends up to 1,500 feet. The occasionally steep way provides stunning views of Denver and Golden. The difficulty of this trail is moderate and crosses part of the Front Range of Colorado. As such, you might encounter a variety of wildlife.

Clear Creek Trail – A popular choice for obvious reasons. The Clear Creek Trails connect several schools to local neighborhoods, as well as the Golden Community Center and downtown Golden. You can take this trail to Wheat Ridge or use it as a route to get to several other trails in the Denver Metro area. Most parts of this trail are paved, so difficult here is easy.

Chimney Gulch Trail – Another trail in the Jefferson County trail system, this trail connects with the Windy Saddle Trail and Park. You will experience a climb of about 2,000 feet along this two and a half mile trail. Chimney Gulch Trail climbs to the summit at Lookout Mountain. This is a moderate and advanced skill level trail that crosses through pine forests, streams, and grass prairies.