After a soggy start to the spring and summer, temperatures are finally starting to heat up. It’s time to beat the heat with water fun around Metro Denver. Most people already know about the largest water parks in town including Downtown Denver’s Elitch Garden’s Water Park and Waterworld in Federal Heights, but here’s a guide to the lesser known parks, recreation districts, and attractions to help you stay cool when the temperatures rise.
Starting in Englewood, Pirates Cove Family Aquatic Center has something for everyone. While the main draw may be a thirty-five foot slide tower that supports 3 water slides, the park is also home to a twenty-five meter 6-lane lap pool, a leisure pool with a huge play structure, a relaxing lazy river, and concession stands. Located at 1225 W. Belleview Avenue, Englewood residents are eligible for discounted admission. Daily admission rates range from $6.50 – $8.50 and they’re open from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Visit PiratesCoveColorado.com for more information or to order tickets online.
Head East for the award-winning Centennial Center Park located at 13050 East Peakview Avenue. While the 11 acre park is open year round, the Nautilus Water Play Area is only open between Memorial Day and Labor Day from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. The park features 6 fireplaces, picnic tables, restrooms, convenient parking and bike racks. In addition to the water area, there are 2 age-appropriate playgrounds and 3 climbing walls. See CentennialCo.gov for additional park information.
The Surfside Spray Park is located in Lakewood at 5330 W. 9th Avenue, just west of Sheridan Blvd. Admission is $1 and grants access to several water features. The park boasts one main splash pad and a smaller splash pad for younger children, as well as a plethora of fountains and water guns. Surfside Spray Park also has 6 picnic tables, barbecue grills, and restrooms. Hours vary day-to-day so check the website before loading up the crew. Regular Season (May 28-Aug 16) hours are typically Monday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday, 1 – 6 p.m., Friday – Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. See Lakewood.org for more park information.
Further West on I-70, Evergreen Lake offers some truly unique water fun. While swimming in Evergreen Lake is not permitted, boating and stand up paddleboarding with the serene mountain backdrop provides a picturesque way to keep cool. The rental rate is $15.00 per hour with a 5 minute tutorial on how to avoid falling in. Reservations are not accepted for the 1 hour experience, but wait times aren’t usually to long and while you wait, you can walk around the lake or watch in amazement as other paddlers do Sridaiva Yoga or Pilates classes on the paddleboards. Drop in for the fitness classes or purchase a punch cards to reserve your board and save money. More information is available on stand up paddleboarding, boating and the fitness classes at EvergreenRecreation.com.
The Urban Slide is coming for one weekend only, June 27 – 28th. This 1,000 ft. long “Slip N Slide” will be set up at Coors Field at 2001 Blake Street, for the Denver stop in its national tour. Prices range from $10.00 for a single slide to $27.00 for an all-day pass. Hours of operation are noon – 6:30 p.m on Saturday and 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Sunday. There is a height minimum to slide of 44″. Check out the site at urbanslide.com for additional information and FAQs.
[…] The Denver metro area has tons of local spots for water fun! […]
Our daughter loves the fountains by the Union Square train station downtown.
We’ve heard great things about the Splash at Fossil Trace Aquatic Park in Golden — it’s supposed to be fun AND really inexpensive for Jefferson County residents – especially those who live in Golden!
Great list! Centennial Center Park is the coolest park I’ve ever been to!
Next to pirates cove, there is a Belleview Park, which has an awesome stream for the kids to wade in. We also like Civic Green Park in Highlands Ranch.
I’ve heard great things about Belleview Park too. It’s on my list! Thank you!