When the Mile High City starts waking up from winter, Denverites are quick to get outdoors. The challenge for parents, babysitters, and nannies is always finding an activity that the whole family will love. Biking is a great way to see the city, and there is no shortage of bike paths in Denver. From professional riders to the littlest bikers, thousands of people hit the trails. Here are the best bike paths we’ve found that will please the kids — and the adults.
Greenway Trail, along the South Platte River via South Platte River Trail and Mary Carter Greenway Trail
Location:
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South Platte River Trail: Starts at East 104th Avenue/State Road 44 and East 120th Parkway in North Denver | Ends at West Dartmouth Avenue (Best place to start: Confluence Park, 2250 15th St., Denver, CO 80202)
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Mary Carter Greenway Trail: Starts at West Dartmouth Avenue and South Platte River Drive, Englewood | Ends at Viable Road in Chatfield State Park
This entirely paved, 30-mile trail combination is perfect for families who like to get out in nature but also want attractions along the way. The South Platte River Trail connects to the 8-mile long Mary Carter Greenway Trail, which runs from U.S. 285 in Sheridan to C.R. 470 and ends at the Chatfield State Park bike trails. If you’re starting near Confluence Park, the kids will love checking out the kayakers in the rapids. Elitch Gardens, the Downtown Aquarium, and the Children’s Museum are all accessible from this bike path.
If you ride farther south, in Littleton you can pull up at St. Patrick’s Brewery for riverside brews or Breckenridge Brewery, where you can grab a beer or quick snack from their outdoor food truck while the kids run around the outdoor oasis, complete with lawn games. If it’s an early-morning bike ride, stop by Nixon’s Coffee House and the Hudson Gardens, also in Littleton. If you bike far enough on the trail, you can reach Chatfield State Park, where there are tons of other connecting bike paths and room to explore. Be warned, this trail can get busy on the weekends during nice weather, so the more inexperienced riders may want to make it a short ride or sit this one out at one of the various parks along the trails.
Cherry Creek Trail
Location: Starts at Platte River Trail at Confluence Park (2250 15th St., Denver, CO 80202) | Ends at State Road 86 in Franktown
Also starting at Confluence Park, the Cherry Creek Bike Path follows its namesake, Cherry Creek, for more than 40 miles south to Franktown. Along this paved trail, you can stop off at Cherry Creek Shopping Center and Cherry Creek North, or if you’re looking to get out in nature, have a picnic at Cherry Creek State Park along one of the largest lakes in Denver and take a dip, if you’re so inclined. If history is more your thing, check out the Four Mile Historic Park to see the oldest house in the Denver area and learn about the pioneers.
You can also access the Cherry Creek Trail from the south as it runs through Castlewood Canyon State Park in Franktown, and ride north through Parker. The Cherry Creek Trail is known for being beautiful as you mosey through some of the nice tree-lined neighborhoods in the suburbs of Denver, but it can get congested in the downtown Denver area. As you ride farther south, it becomes less traveled and more relaxing. There is a higher climb to the Cherry Creek Dam that can be challenging, but otherwise, the trail is easy enough for kids to bike along.
Sand Creek Greenway
Location: Starts at South Platte River Greenway, with parking at 64th Avenue and York Street | Ends at the High Line Canal in Aurora at Tower Road and Colfax Avenue
Rated by “Westword” as the “Best Bike Path in Metro Denver,” the Sand Creek Greenway is popular with those looking for a path on the northern side of Denver. This 14-mile bike path has areas of both paved and unpaved trails. It starts in Commerce City, heads east through north Denver and Stapleton, and ends in Aurora. There are seven parking lots at trailheads to choose from. This urban trail also runs along Sand Creek, which offers a balance of city and nature scenery. (You’re sure to see some wildlife.) Stop at Bluff Nature Center, Morrison Nature Center, or the Aurora Sports Park and picnic in one of the numerous local parks along the trail, like the Central Park at Stapleton. If you’re looking to head west, Sand Creek Greenway also has connections to the South Platte River Trail and the High Line Canal Trail, among others. It can be tough for those not on mountain bikes on the unpaved sections of the trail, so use caution when riding. But overall, this trail is easy enough for beginner riders and isn’t has highly trafficked as some of the other Denver-area bike paths.
Clear Creek Bike Path
Location: Starts at Platte River Trail north of I-76 in Welby | Ends at Clear Creek Canyon Road and U.S. 6 in Golden
This 20-mile paved bike trail runs from Golden through the picturesque neighborhoods of Arvada and Berkeley to Denver’s South Platte River Trail. The trail follows its namesake, Clear Creek, which is the perfect backdrop for the whole family to enjoy while passing through various parks and lakes along the way. The path is smooth enough for beginner riders, but may get congested in busier parts of town. You can park for free at 10th Street and Washington Avenue near the Golden visitors center and explore downtown Golden’s various shops, restaurants, and museums. If the little riders are into trains, the Colorado Railroad Museum is a great activity stop! Or the family may be content watching the kayakers in the creek. It’s a popular spot to explore, especially in the summer months!
Bear Creek Bike Trail
Location: Starts at the Platte River Trail near River Point Parkway in Denver | Ends at Union Avenue in Morrison
Bear Creek Trail is a great bike path for families looking to bike on the west side of town, as it runs between Morrison, Lakewood, and Sheridan along Bear Creek. The trail is roughly 20 miles long. It’s paved and mostly flat, with some tougher exceptions as you head west. You can choose to do an out-and-back ride that ends in Morrison with a stop for ice cream or lunch at one of the local spots in the quaint downtown area, or plan to refuel at Bear Creek Lake Park with a lakeside picnic. Red Rocks Amphitheatre and Park is also bikeable from this trail and worth a trip if you’re making a day out of it!
