Rooney Trail Loop

I loved this trail when I lived in Lakewood. It has a decent elevation gain, close to the city, spectacular views, and you can pretty much hike it year round unless you just had a winter snow storm (though you could just hike in snow boots!). I take the John O Hayden Trail from the Utah Parking lot along Alameda Parkway. You continue up this trail until it intersects with the Green Mountain Tra...

Skip the bar and spend happy hour hiking/biking this fun and easy loop. With convenient access from the Denver-Metro Area, this spot is perfect for a quick ride after work, or hike with your dog. The park has three parking lots, and the trail can be completed as a loop system (in either direction), from any of the three points. Accessing the Green Mountain Trailhead from the Florida parking lo...

Green Mountain Trail is a 6.5-mile loop and has a challenging ascent to the park's highest point. Because the mountain is one of the first to rise out of the plains, you get unique views of where the mountains meet the prairie and fascinating geology. The summit, at 6,857' offers stunning views of Denver and the plains to the east and impressive mountain peaks to the west. Because it is only ab...

The hiking trail starts at the parking lot located across from the Dinosaur Ridge Discovery center (which you should totally go check out!). Once you park you will follow the gated and paved Alameda Parkway towards the ridge. Along the way there will be several sites on the left until you reach the ridge. Once you start heading down the parkway there will be more sites with the third to last wi...

Red Rocks is a bustling park in the summer when its famous amphitheater is filled with concerts. In winter though, the park dies down and becomes even more quiet when snow is falling. Grab your camera and head to the park during a winter storm to truly enjoy the beautiful red sandstone formations capped with contrasting powder. Parking is available throughout the area with the Trading Post bein...

Matthews/Winters Park, which is part of the Jefferson County Open Space system, is proof that you do not have to go far from the city to enjoy the mountains. Nestled in the foothills between Golden and Morrison just off I-70 and C-470, Matthews/Winters is easy to access from Denver and any of the foothill communities. But don’t be fooled by its proximity to the city: this park is really beautif...