Sports and Recreation in Denver

One of the best ways to enjoy the beauty of Denver while getting exercise is the City Park Arboretum Tree Walk. This self-guided tour leads you through the arboretum’s collection of more than 3,000 trees with hundreds of unique tree species. The trail runs 3.1 miles and includes many tree specimen labels with both scientific and common names. Walkers are also able to access state champion listed trees, botanical collections, gardens, and other horticultural sites right from the trail.

Denver allows boating on three of their lakes: northwest Denver’s Berkeley Lake, Washington Park’s Smith Lake, and Sloan’s Lake. Berkeley and Smith Lake permits boats up to 12′. Sloan’s Lake permits boats longer than 12′ including motorized boats with up to 330 horsepower. All three lakes allow canoeing, sailing, rowing, and kayaking. Sloan’s Lake also allows water skiing. All Denver boaters must acquire permits and display them prominently on the right side of their boats. Check local listings for permit specifications and pricing for each lake.

The Denver Parks and Recreation Department has 13 indoor swimming pools and 16 outdoor pools, including lap pools, therapy pools, and children’s spray grounds. The outdoor pools are open from early June through mid-August.

Denver’s Outdoor Recreation Program includes the Genesee Experiential Ropes Course. This challenging course is designed for individuals who are striving to build confidence, trust, and communication skills as well as strengthen bonds, overcome challenges, and of course, have fun. The ropes give groups the chance to bond, learn, and grow through challenges that do not arise in normal day-to-day situations.

Denver is home to a variety of golf courses that are open year-round (weather permitting) from dawn until dusk. The city has some of the state’s top course conditions, all at affordable prices. Eighteen-hole courses in Denver include City Park, Evergreen, Overland, Willis Case, and Wellshire. All of them have a par of 72 except for Willis, which has a par of 70. Denver is also home to Harvard Gulch Golf Course with 9 holes (par 3), Kennedy Golf Course with 27 holes (par 3), and Aqua Golf, which is a water driving range that features 36 miniature golf holes.

Check local listings for the most up to date information about Family/Beginner Days, First Tee of Denver Golf Classes, and the Denver Golf Text Messaging Club.