35 miles of multi-use trails, including 15 miles of paved trails: Cherry Creek State Park offers nature experiences on a grand scale. The park covers 4,200 acres and surrounds a reservoir with a surface area of 880 acres. The paved sections are part of the larger trail network; the two figures help put the park’s scale in perspective without implying that all trails are the same.

Discover Trails and Nature

Wetland and upland habitats shape the nature preserve at Cherry Creek Valley Ecological Park. A section of Cherry Creek flows through it, and the Cherry Creek Regional Trail is also part of the area. Unpaved loop trails are available for walking, jogging and nature observation. The park’s habitats are home to birds, reptiles, amphibians and numerous mammal species.

At Quincy Reservoir, a specific trail length and seasonal wildlife viewing go hand in hand: the reservoir covers 288.7 acres, and a 3.5-mile trail runs along it. In summer, you can spot hawks, Great Blue Herons and American White Pelicans, among other birds. The Tollgate Creek Trail runs north from Quincy Reservoir and connects to the High Line Canal Trail at DeLaney Farm. This trail offers a free, 71-mile recreational route.

Nature observation is also a focus at Star K Ranch. The trail there offers opportunities to spot deer, Red-tailed Hawks and Great Horned Owls. The Morrison Nature Center at Star K Ranch has dog-friendly trails; visitors can also meet ambassador animals there. The combination of trails and wildlife encounters appeals to different interests without requiring a set itinerary.

Water and Insights into the Landscape

Kayaking is possible year-round at Aurora Reservoir. Availability may change, so check before your visit. Senac Creek Nature Center shares facilities with Aurora Reservoir, including an accessible fishing pier. Individual facilities may be affected by maintenance work. Interactive and rotating exhibits at the Nature Center teach visitors about Aurora’s ecosystems, food chains and the importance of water to natural and human communities.

Visitors can fish for largemouth bass and trout in the five lakes at South Platte Park. South Platte Park and Carson Nature Center also offer school visits, classes and nature programs year-round. Alongside activities on the water, educational opportunities are available throughout the year.

History to See and Experience

The 17 Mile House served as a rest stop for pioneers traveling the Cherokee and Smoky Hill wagon roads in the 1860s. Designated a County Heritage Area, it includes a historic residence, a red barn, a grain silo, a milk house, a shelter, two windmills and 32 acres of open space. The variety of buildings and the open grounds offer more than one focal point at this historic site.

Free open-house events open to the public take place at 17 Mile House Farm Park from April through November 2026. Due to limited capacity, reservations are strongly recommended. Check the specific event dates before traveling.

At Plains Conservation Center, reproductions of a homestead village and a tipi camp illustrate the lives of pioneers and Indigenous peoples of the Plains in the late 19th century. Wagon tours include wildlife viewing as well as stops at sod houses and a Cheyenne camp. Dates and plans may change; check the tour schedule if you plan to take this tour.

Discover more destinations: Englewood, Littleton, Aurora, Centennial, Castlewood, Sheridan, Greenwood Village, Glendale, Cherry Hills Village.

For the broader travel overview: Colorado.