16. East 7th Avenue Bike Route
City: Denver, CO
Category: Parks & Recreation
Description: This ride takes you through city streets, so watching for traffic is a must. But if you’re more interested in sampling Denver’s scenery and architecture than getting a real workout, this is a nice ride. Start just south of downtown at Broadway and East 7th Avenue, then head east on 7th and follow the bike route signs. You can take it for 4 miles before it dead-ends at Colorado Boulevard, through Denver’s oldest neighborhoods, replete with mansions and stunning old trees.
17. The Highline Canal
City: Denver, CO
Category: Parks & Recreation
Description: This Denver-area highlight was built in the 1880s and is now lined by huge cottonwoods in what amounts to a river of ancient trees through the city. This favorite trail runs from Waterton Canyon in the west to Aurora’s Environmental Park in the east. Depending on the time of year, the canal will either be swollen with spring runoff or bone dry. Watch for horses, as the dirt areas are popular with equestrians.
18. Platte River Greenway Trail
City: Denver, CO
Category: Parks & Recreation
Description: This major bike trail in Metro Denver runs from Chatfield Reservoir in the southwest to the city of Thornton in the upper north metro region. The trail passes through more than a dozen parks. Access points are legion; consult trail maps for details. Two popular access points are Confluence Park at 15th and Platte Streets near Lower Downtown and Ruby Hill Park near Evans Street and Broadway.
19. Adventure Cycling
City: Denver, CO
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (303) 699-2514
Address: 4361 S. Parker Rd.
Description: Adventure Cycling is convenient to those in the southeast part of Metro Denver.
20. The Bicycle Doctor
City: Denver, CO
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (303) 831-7228
Address: 860 Broadway
Description: Located near downtown Denver, the Bicycle Doctor is a full-service shop that works on bicycles when it’s not servicing skis. It also rents both.
21. Sports Rent
City: Denver, CO
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (303) 467-0200
Address: 8761 Wadsworth Blvd.
Description: This shop specializes in dirt bike, boat, personal watercraft, and ATV rentals.
22. Treads Bicycle Outfitters
City: Denver, CO
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (303) 781-1162
Address: 3546 S. Logan
Description: This shop rents everything from trail bikes for pavement to high-performance mountain bikes and has maps and brochures for sale. Additional locations are at 16701 E. Iliff Ave., Aurora (303-750-1671); and 10831 S. Crossroads Dr., Parker (303-690-2900).
23. Deer Creek Park Trail
City: Denver, CO
Category: Parks & Recreation
Description: This area is about 4 miles up Deer Creek Canyon from Wadsworth Boulevard, in the Jefferson County Open Space. Its steep trails aren’t for beginners or those who haven’t been working out. Deer Creek Park has one hiker-only trail.
24. Hayden-Green Mountain Park Trails
City: Denver, CO
Category: Parks & Recreation
Description: These intermediate trails also challenge riders. They wind through the park before climbing 1,200 feet to the Green Mountain summit. To get there, take 6th Avenue west to the Union Street exit, go south to Alameda Avenue, then right. The park is on the right side.
25. Mount Falcon
City: Denver, CO
Category: Parks & Recreation
Description: Several bike loops for riders with moderate technical skills can be accessed from the pavilion at Walker’s Dream Shelter. To reach it, take US 285 west past C-470 to the Morrison exit, then right. Follow the clearly marked signs. From the Morrison trailhead, you can head up the Castle Trail to the pavilion at Walker’s Dream Shelter. Avoid the area’s hiker-only trail.
26. Waterton Canyon
City: Denver, CO
Category: Parks & Recreation
Description: There are lovely, gentle trails around the Chatfield Recreation area, but up Waterton Canyon it gets a little more dramatic. No dogs are allowed because the canyon is home to a herd of bighorn sheep. A 6-mile dirt road heads up past Cottonwood Gulch, Mill Gulch, and Stevens Gulch to the Colorado Trail. To reach it, take Wadsworth Boulevard south from its junction with C-470, 4 miles to the Waterton Canyon Recreation Area sign, and turn left to park.
27. Aurora Reservoir Marina
City: Denver, CO
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (303) 690-1286
Address: 5800 S. Powhaton Rd.
Description: This newer facility is 7 miles east of Quincy Reservoir in Arapahoe County. Powerboaters pay it little attention, since gas motors aren’t allowed on the water, but the water is clean, and it’s popular with sailors and windsurfers. There’s a little marina with a general store where you can rent electric motorboats, rowboats, sailboats, sailboards, paddleboats, and canoes. It also features a paved bike path that stretches about 8 miles around the lake. You’ll find the reservoir by driving about 2 miles east of Gun Club Road on East Quincy Avenue and turning right at Powhaton Road. Hours vary depending on sunrise and sunset, but generally run from dawn to dusk, and visitors will be charged a daily vehicle pass fee.
28. Bear Creek Lake Park
City: Denver, CO
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (303) 697-6159
Address: 15600 W. Morrison Rd.
Description: There are three water areas here: Bear Creek Lake, Little Soda Lake, and Big Soda Lake. Bear Creek is mainly for fishing as it allows no motors greater than 10 horsepower. There also is some sailing. An admission fee is charged, and there are no rentals. The access point is easy to see off Morrison Road, once you exit C-470. Big Soda Lake is open to the public for nonmotorized boats and has its own Soda Lake Marina (303-697-1522) where you can rent paddleboats, kayaks, sailboards, and canoe. Big Soda also has a swimming area. Little Soda Lake isn’t open for public boating.
29. Chatfield Marina
City: Denver, CO
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (303) 791-5555
Address: 11500 N. Roxborough Park Rd.
Description: This marina for the Chatfield Reservoir includes a store with boating and fishing supplies, groceries, and take-out food. It’s Denver’s only on-the-water grill and deli restaurant with a patio and an observation deck. The season runs April through October. Fishing boats, pontoon boats, and paddleboats can be rented by the hour or by the day. Call ahead for reservations.
30. Cherry Creek Marina
City: Denver, CO
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (303) 779-6144, (303) 699-2501
Address: 4800 S. Dayton
Description: The marina is on the west side of the Cherry Creek reservoir; just follow the signs after entering. It has slips and rents pontoon boats, fishing boats, monohull dinghy sailboats, Sunfish, paddleboats, kayaks, and canoes.