South Denver is known for tree-lined streets, excellent schools, and a lifestyle that revolves around the outdoors. Whether you are a longtime resident or just moving to South Denver, one thing becomes clear fast: the parks here are exceptional. From sprawling urban green spaces to hidden neighborhood gems with miniature trains, there is an outdoor space for every family.
We have rounded up the 10 best parks South Denver has to offer, complete with what makes each one special, who it is best for, and which neighborhoods are just a short walk or bike ride away.
1. Washington Park
Location: South Downing Street and East Virginia Avenue, Denver
No list of the best parks in South Denver would be complete without Wash Park. Covering 165 acres in the heart of the city, Washington Park is the crown jewel of Denver’s park system and the beating heart of the Washington Park neighborhood.
What makes it special: Two lakes (Smith Lake and Grasmere Lake), a large recreation center, flower gardens modeled after George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate, volleyball courts, tennis courts, and one of Denver’s most popular running loops, a 2.6-mile paved path that circles the entire park.
Best for: Runners, cyclists, families with kids of all ages, picnickers, paddleboarders (seasonal boat rentals on Smith Lake)
- Multiple playgrounds scattered throughout
- Year-round rec center programming
- Farmers market on Saturdays in summer
- Off-leash hours at the southeast corner (check current city rules)
Nearby neighborhoods: Washington Park, Washington Park West, Bonnie Brae, Platt Park
📍 Washington Park
S Downing St & E Virginia Ave, Denver, CO 80209
🕐 Hours: 5 AM – 11 PM | 💰 Free
2. Bible Park
Location: East Yale Avenue and South Monaco Parkway, Denver
Bible Park is a local favorite tucked into the southeast corner of Denver proper. Named after a former landowner (not the book), this 22-acre park feels like a quiet countryside escape despite being surrounded by residential neighborhoods.
What makes it special: A large open meadow, mature cottonwood trees, gentle rolling terrain, and a genuine sense of peace. Bible Park hosts a beloved community garden and has a network of soft-surface trails that meander through the property. It is also home to abundant wildlife, and you will regularly spot hawks, foxes, and deer.
Best for: Families seeking a quieter alternative to the bigger parks, dog walkers, nature lovers, picnics
- Playground with modern equipment
- Community garden plots (apply through Denver Parks and Rec)
- Wide-open fields for kite flying, frisbee, and soccer
- Connected to the Highline Canal Trail for extended walks
Nearby neighborhoods: Hampden South, University Hills, Southmoor Park
📍 Bible Park
E Yale Ave & S Monaco Pkwy, Denver, CO 80224
🕐 Hours: 5 AM – 11 PM | 💰 Free
3. DeKoevend Park
Location: South Holly Street and East Orchard Road, Centennial
DeKoevend Park is one of the most popular family destinations in the South Denver suburbs. Managed by the South Suburban Parks and Recreation District, this well-maintained park packs a surprising amount of fun into its acreage.
What makes it special: A fantastic splash pad that runs all summer, an inclusive playground designed for children of all abilities, covered picnic shelters, and a paved walking loop. The splash pad alone makes this park a top-tier summer destination for families with young kids.
Best for: Families with toddlers and young children, summer water play, birthday parties, accessible recreation
- Free splash pad open Memorial Day through Labor Day
- Playground with sensory elements designed for all abilities
- Reservable picnic shelters
- Clean restrooms on-site
- Adjacent to trail connections
Nearby communities: Centennial, Greenwood Village
📍 DeKoevend Park
6301 S Holly St, Centennial, CO 80121
🕐 Hours: Dawn to dusk · Splash pad: Memorial Day – Labor Day | 💰 Free
4. Wellshire Golf Course and Open Space
Location: 3333 South Colorado Boulevard, Denver
Wellshire is not just a golf course. It is one of the most beautiful open green spaces in South Denver. The historic Wellshire Event Center, a gorgeous Tudor-style building, anchors the property, and the surrounding landscape offers rolling fairways, towering trees, and mountain views that feel a world away from the city.
What makes it special: A public 18-hole golf course that is both affordable and scenic, with a historic clubhouse dating to 1926. Even if you do not golf, driving along Colorado Boulevard with the course stretching out on either side is one of the prettiest views in South Denver.
Best for: Golfers of all skill levels, cross-country skiing in winter, scenic walks along adjacent paths
- Public course with reasonable green fees
- Beautiful event venue for weddings and gatherings
- Connects visually to the broader South Denver green corridor
- Adjacent to the Belcaro neighborhood
Nearby neighborhoods: Belcaro, University, Indian Creek
📍 Wellshire Golf Course
3333 S Colorado Blvd, Denver, CO 80222
🕐 Hours: Seasonal hours — call for tee times | 💰 Green fees vary · Public course
5. Cherry Creek Trail
Location: Runs from Confluence Park downtown southeast through South Denver to Franktown
The Cherry Creek Trail is one of the best multi-use trails in the entire Denver metro area. Stretching over 40 miles, it cuts right through the heart of South Denver and connects dozens of neighborhoods, parks, and commercial districts along the way.
What makes it special: This paved, mostly flat trail follows Cherry Creek through some of the most scenic parts of the city. The South Denver sections pass through mature cottonwood groves, alongside the creek itself, and through several parks. It is a genuine transportation corridor, and many South Denver residents commute on it year-round.
Best for: Cyclists, runners, commuters, families on bike rides, dog walkers
- Paved surface suitable for strollers and bikes
- Multiple access points throughout South Denver
- Connects to Cherry Creek State Park for extended adventures
- Well-lit and well-maintained in most sections
- Passes through or near Observatory Park and Hampden South
Nearby neighborhoods: Observatory Park, Hampden, Goldsmith, Holly Hills
📍 Cherry Creek Trail
Confluence Park to Franktown — multiple access points throughout South Denver
🕐 Hours: Open 24 hours | 💰 Free
6. Belleview Park
Location: 5001 South Inca Drive, Englewood
Belleview Park is an absolute favorite among families with young children, and the reason is simple: it has a real miniature train. The Denver and Rio Grande narrow-gauge train ride loops through the park and costs just a few dollars per person, making it one of the best-value family outings in the metro area.
What makes it special: Beyond the famous kid train, Belleview Park features a petting zoo (seasonal), fishing pond, multiple picnic shelters, playgrounds, and direct access to the South Platte River Trail. It is the kind of park where you can easily spend an entire day.
Best for: Families with kids ages 2 to 10, train enthusiasts of all ages, birthday parties, fishing
- Miniature train rides (seasonal, typically May through October)
- Small petting zoo with farm animals
- Stocked fishing pond (no license required for kids under 16)
- Large playground areas
- Direct trail connection to the South Platte Trail
Nearby communities: Englewood, South Platte corridor, southwest Littleton
📍 Belleview Park
5001 S Inca Dr, Englewood, CO 80110
🕐 Hours: Dawn to dusk · Train rides: May – October | 💰 Free entry · Train rides ~$3/person
7. Cornerstone Park
Location: East Geddes Avenue and South Niagara Way, Centennial
Cornerstone Park is one of those well-kept suburban parks that manages to feel both polished and natural. Located in the heart of Centennial, it is a go-to spot for families, sports teams, and anyone who wants a reliable, well-maintained outdoor space.
What makes it special: A large lake perfect for catch-and-release fishing, multi-use athletic fields, a modern playground, and a paved trail loop that circles the entire park. In winter, the gentle hills become a popular sledding destination for neighborhood families.
Best for: Families, fishing enthusiasts, soccer and softball players, winter sledding
- Paved 1-mile walking loop
- Fishing pier on the lake (stocked seasonally)
- Athletic fields for organized sports
- Sledding hill in winter
- Playground with climbing structures
Nearby communities: Centennial, Foxfield, southeast Greenwood Village
📍 Cornerstone Park
E Geddes Ave & S Niagara Way, Centennial, CO 80112
🕐 Hours: Dawn to dusk | 💰 Free
8. Hudson Gardens and Event Center
Location: 6115 South Santa Fe Drive, Littleton
Hudson Gardens is one of South Denver’s most beautiful and most unique outdoor spaces. Part botanical garden, part event venue, and part nature preserve, this 30-acre property along the South Platte River offers something truly different from a typical neighborhood park.
What makes it special: Sixteen individual themed gardens (including a fragrance garden, a rose garden, and a wetland area), a stunning outdoor concert venue, and peaceful walking paths along the river. Hudson Gardens hosts a popular summer concert series that draws top-tier musical acts.
Best for: Garden lovers, couples, families seeking a quieter outdoor experience, concert-goers
- Free admission to the gardens year-round
- Summer concert series on the outdoor stage
- Seasonal events including holiday lights
- Wedding and event venue
- Connected to the South Platte River Trail
Nearby neighborhoods: Littleton, Columbine Valley, Bow Mar
📍 Hudson Gardens & Event Center
6115 S Santa Fe Dr, Littleton, CO 80120
🕐 Hours: 9 AM – 5 PM (seasonal variations) | 💰 Free garden admission · Concert tickets vary
9. Writers Vista Park
Location: South University Boulevard and East Briarwood Avenue, Centennial
Writers Vista Park is a smaller community park that punches well above its weight. Perched on higher ground in Centennial, it offers some of the best Front Range mountain views you will find in any South Denver park.
What makes it special: Panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains from the park’s western edge, a well-designed playground, open fields, and a neighborhood feel that makes it a beloved local hangout. On clear days, you can see from Pikes Peak to Longs Peak.
Best for: Families with young children, sunset watching, photography, neighborhood gatherings
- Stunning mountain views (best at sunset)
- Modern playground equipment
- Open green space for free play
- Quiet and rarely crowded
- Walking paths through the neighborhood
Nearby communities: Centennial (Heritage Greens area), south Greenwood Village
📍 Writers Vista Park
S University Blvd & E Briarwood Ave, Centennial, CO 80122
🕐 Hours: Dawn to dusk | 💰 Free
10. South Platte River Trail
Location: Runs north-south through Englewood, Littleton, and beyond
The South Platte River Trail is the other major trail corridor in the South Denver area, and it is an outdoor lover’s dream. Stretching for miles along the South Platte River, it connects parks, nature areas, and communities from downtown Denver all the way south to Chatfield Reservoir and beyond.
What makes it special: A wide, paved trail that follows the river through cottonwood-lined corridors, past reservoirs, and through some surprisingly wild stretches. The South Denver portions, particularly between Englewood and Littleton, are especially scenic, with frequent wildlife sightings and a genuine feeling of escape.
Best for: Long-distance cyclists, runners training for races, families on bike rides, birdwatchers
- Connects to Belleview Park, Hudson Gardens, and Chatfield State Park
- Mostly flat and paved, great for all fitness levels
- Multiple trailheads with parking
- River access points for wading and wildlife viewing
- Links to the Mary Carter Greenway Trail
Nearby communities: Englewood, Littleton, Columbine Valley, Bow Mar
📍 South Platte River Trail
Runs north-south through Englewood, Littleton — multiple trailheads
🕐 Hours: Open 24 hours | 💰 Free
Which South Denver Park Is Right for Your Family?
With so many incredible outdoor spaces, choosing the best parks in South Denver comes down to what your family loves most:
- Best for young kids: Belleview Park (train rides!) and DeKoevend Park (splash pad)
- Best for runners and cyclists: Washington Park loop and Cherry Creek Trail
- Best for nature and wildlife: Bible Park and South Platte River Trail
- Best for views: Writers Vista Park
- Best for a unique experience: Hudson Gardens
- Best all-around family park: Washington Park and Cornerstone Park
One of the things that makes South Denver such a fantastic place to live is the sheer variety of outdoor spaces within a short drive, or even a bike ride, from almost any neighborhood. Whether you are chasing a toddler around a splash pad, training for your next half marathon, or just soaking in mountain views at sunset, there is a park here that fits.
Exploring a new neighborhood? Check out our complete neighborhood guides to find the South Denver community that matches your lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which South Denver parks are dog-friendly?
Several South Denver parks offer off-leash dog areas, including Eisenhower Park in the Denver Tech Center area and Bible Park’s nearby open spaces. Cherry Creek State Park features one of the largest off-leash dog areas in the metro, with over 107 acres of fenced space where dogs can run and swim.
Are there splash pads at South Denver parks?
Yes, several South Denver parks feature splash pads and water play areas that are popular with families during summer months. Cook Park and DeKoevend Park in Centennial are well-known for their splash pads, which are typically open from Memorial Day through Labor Day at no cost.
How much does it cost to enter Cherry Creek State Park?
Cherry Creek State Park charges a daily vehicle pass fee of $12, or you can purchase an annual Colorado Parks & Wildlife pass for $80 to $120, which covers entry to all Colorado state parks. The park offers over 4,000 acres of recreation including a reservoir, trails, and the large off-leash dog area.