Burn a few calories with these outdoor activities in Denver

August 26, 1:07 PMDenver Outdoor Recreation ExaminerDarcie Gudger

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Brief visits to Denver can be rewarding if you know where to go. Obviously you can't see it all in a few days, but you can leave satisfied that you had a true Colorado experience.

The City and County of Denver has a visitors' website suggesting things to see and do. But if you love the outdoors, check out the places to visit in the table below. Most places have a wall full of brochures for you to take and look over. If you can't make it to a desired spot, remember there's always next time!

Best 3 Afternoon, Outdoor Adventures around Denver, Colorado

1. Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Wondering what to do in Denver if you're only here for a short visit? One must-see is Red Rocks Amphitheatre. There is nothing else like it on the planet and not only is it a mere 30 minute drive from downtown, it gets you feeling like you're in the mountains.

No matter how you enjoy Red Rocks, bring your camera. You may find yourself having an Ansel Adams moment or two.

Visitor Center Hours: May - September 8AM -7 PM, October - April 9AM - 4PM

Park Hours: 5AM - 11PM

Driving Directions: From Downtown, take 6th Avenue West to Kipling. Head South to Morrison Road. Head West past C-470 through Morrison. The entry ways to the park are on the right side of the road and well marked.

2. Chautauqua Park in Boulder, Colorado

Chautauqua Park in Boulder is a popular and spectacular place to hike. No need to trek out to Utah to see arches, the Royal Arch will do just as well to take your breath away. You need to start at the Bluebell shelter at the end of Bluebell Road. Head into the canyon then climb up and over the ridge.

From the shelter the hike is .8 miles. The hike is very steep. Moderate for Coloradans, but strenuous for folks not used to mountain hiking.

A much longer hike is the Mesa Trail. It's about 6.9 miles long and a gentler hike. Many of the Chautauqua trails branch from Mesa. You'll see meadows and aspen and evergreen forests. Wildlife loves to hang out along the flatirons.

3. Washington Park

Centered in one of Denver's oldest neighborhoods, the park was desigend at the turn of the twentieth century by a German landscape architect named Reinhard Schuetze.

54 spectacular gardens dot the park. One is said to resemble Martha Washington's garden from Mt. Vernon. Marigolds the size of softballs create stunning borders to taller, leafier plants. Jog off the main path to get a closer look and shoot some photos.

Washington Park is 165 acres in area, holds 25,000 plants, 2.6 miles of paths for running, jogging, biking and rollerblading. It has tennis courts, a full-amenity recreation center and a rental center for bikes, surreys and paddle boats. Wheel Fun Rentals is located in a little hut next to the boat house. Mountain and road bikes can be rented for $10/hour. For water sports, paddle boats and canoes are rentable. The perimeter of Smith Lake is .6 miles if you are keeping track of distance. Baby joggers and rollerblades are for rent at Wheel Fun as well.

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