Cherry Creek State Park - Road Running

Review

Intro

The easy access that Denver has to non-pavement running destinations is one of the things that makes this city such a great place for runners. Less than half an hour from downtown, you can pass through the gates of Cherry Creek State Park and be surrounded by hills, woods and water, with views of the snow capped peaks to the west. 

What Makes It Great

Here, you can let your dog run free in the off leash dog park; you can rent a canoe, do laps on a road bike, or cruise on a longboard; you can go to the shooting range, view raptors soaring the park boundaries, or have a picnic. You can also run the trails, roads and paths of CC State Park to your heart's content. This park has it all!Many people train for triathlons here and you're likely to meet some pretty darn fit folks at this famed state park. It's relatively traffic free, especially during the week, and you don't have to worry about getting lost. There are vending machines in a few locations, but come prepared with water bottles, food, sunscreen and the like. Bring a swimsuit to take advantage of the swimming beach in the summer, and maybe you'll even be invited to do some jet skiing while you're chilling lake side. For runners, it's a bit of a dream come true, with modest hills, a variety of surfaces and natural views in all directions.For cyclists, you’ll love doing laps around this gorgeous and semi-wild location. People travel in both directions around the park’s internal roads and paths. The weather is almost always good and you can dress in layers with a light windbreaker to be just fine. It’s a great place to train because the hills are relatively small, and there are few cars and only a handful of other cyclists.

Who is Going to Love It

Whether you go solo or with a group, you’re likely to fall in love with this laid back State Park that really does have it all.

Directions, Parking, & Regulations

To park inside the park, you'll have to pay the day-use fee. But there is adjacent parking and street parking you can take advantage of, from where you can then run into the park for free.