So Many Denverites will tell you that the outdoor opportunities are virtually endless, practically right out their back door. I would have to agree, 100%. If you are living in Douglas County, you have one such place in such close distance - you have to check it out.
Waterton Canyon is located off of Waterton Road in Littleton - follow the signs from C470 and Wadsworth after heading south on Wadsworth. It is a beautiful area maintained by Denver Water, even though it is outside of Denver. The trail itself is an easy dirt road with a very mild incline (my kids can handle this - its very mild!) that follows the Waterton Canyon of the South Platte River to the Strontia Springs Dam. You w ill find many hikers on the trail as well and it is also a very popular area for fishing - in fact, you will generally see people fishing their way up the canyon.
If you decide to make the trek with kids, make sure you bring some snacks and always bring plenty of water. It can get quite hot in the canyon and when our entire family rides this together, we tend to stop often for snacks or just goofing around. There are a few picnic areas throughout the canyon as well if you want to plan for a full picnic.
Before my kids were on bikes, this was the first trail that we took them hiking on once they were out of carriers. It is extremely easy since its a dirt road (no big rocks or roots for tripping little feet) and it a clear wide road that is nice for them to wander a little freely. We certainly didn't make it very far but it became a challenge to make it further each time. You will need to be careful of passing bikes though, although everyone is generally extremely courteous. Now that we are on the bikes, we are the ones watching out for the little one.
If you are looking for a more adventurous rider, at the end of the Waterton Canyon Trail that ends at the damn (about 6 1/2 miles) the Colorado Trailhead hits the trail and you can continue on. This will no longer be a dirt road, but a more traditional single trail and contains a number of switchbacks and is more strenuous offering a steeper climb (it rises approximatley 1000 additional feet) if you follow the Roxborough Loop or you could head in the other direction toward Buffalo Creek.
Another opportunity in Waterton Canyon is children's summer classes that are offered by the Thorne Ecological Institute at the Kassler Center in the canyon. We have not personally taken any of these but I have heard from a few people that their children have enjoyed them and it may be something worth looking into. According to their website they "connect kids to nature through hands-on environmental education".
On this particular trip that I brought the camera, we didn't get all the way to the Strontia Springs Damn as we were on a tighter time line that day. But if you have the time I would encourage you to complete the trail to the damn, its really fantastic.
Oh, and there is a small refreshment stand at the house in the parking lot. My kids love to buy popsicles there on hots days after our ride. They also offer a few bikes for rent, if you are in need for yourself or perhaps an out of town guest.
Neighborhoods that are extremely close to Waterton Canyon include Roxborough, Chatfield, Arrowhead, Southwest Littleton and the west side of Highlands Ranch.
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