Is Denver really that outdoorsy? (Colorado Springs, Fort Collins: to rent, neighborhood, camping)

[ScottyBoy]

My friend and I are going to rent a place in Denver this upcoming summer. We heard that Denver is a very "outdoorsy" town, meaning that most activities involve the outdoors. (i.e hiking, rafting etc).

The two of us enjoy the occasional climb or paddle, but we're not avid outdoorsmen.

So my question is: is Denver actually dominated by these kind of activities?

[zenkonami]

I'm gonna get hammered for this because I don't live in Denver (yet), but I've done a lot of homework on it.

Denver is (as if often repeated) on the plains and not actually in the mountains. It's effectively a high desert and brush type ecosystem, which means it's dry and relatively flat.

Now, the mountains aren't far, but the routes into them are sparse, including I-70 which is apparently a massive bottleneck most weekends headed up into the Rockies for climbing, hiking, skiing, etc... There's also some activity up and down the front range in Boulder, near Fort Collins, and down in Colorado Springs. Water sports, it seems, are not as popular (though some do exist) simply because there isn't that much water. I've seen photos of people kayaking the South Platte and some boating and fishing at some of the reservoirs, which might be worthwhile if it's not something you already have experience with elsewhere...otherwise it could be a bit disappointing.

That said, Denver and the surrounding cities have a MASSIVE interconnected park system, often running along former (and current) waterways (barely even streams in some cases.) In fact, Denver is somewhat famous for it's parks and seems to have plenty of outdoor recreation in that sense for everyone.

It's a city that seems heavily influenced by it's suburbs, even while the urban core is strengthening, and posts I've seen on here point to occasionally taking advantage of natural world for "outdoorsy" activities, but 95% of the time just trying to make a living and pay the bills - just as in any other city. I think Denverites are more active than people in a lot of other places (I'd find it hard not to be with a park system like that and such a blend of mountain and plains activities within just an hour or two) but I don't know that Denver is "dominated" by those activities.

Personally, I think the option is there and that's part of the appeal for me as opposed to some cities that lack those kinds of amenities.

[formercalifornian]

My family doesn't ski (gasp!) or kayak, and we're perfectly happy here. Denver is a moderately-sized city with all the normal city amenities. You won't feel out of place if you only occasionally partake of the vast outdoor recreational resources. However, Colorado is a gorgeous place with great weather, so don't be surprised if you eventually find the lure of the open spaces irresistible.

[2bindenver]

I don't ski either! But I am in Breck today. Glenwood Springs tomorrow and at the rec center in HR on Saturday look for me in the hot tub or the sauna.

Thank you. Thank you very much.

[DenverAztec]

Originally Posted by ScottyBoy

My friend and I are going to rent a place in Denver this upcoming summer. We heard that Denver is a very "outdoorsy" town, meaning that most activities involve the outdoors. (i.e hiking, rafting etc).

The two of us enjoy the occasional climb or paddle, but we're not avid outdoorsmen.

So my question is: is Denver actually dominated by these kind of activities?

Denverites, and Coloradans in general, are consistently ranked as some of the healthiest people in the country. Not that we all do similar activities but we do enjoy close to 300 days of sun and that makes us want to be outside. Low humidity and few bugs also makes being outside ideal. Denver is incredibly walkable and I am out everyday in the summer and fall for walks, most of the time in the winter and spring as long as it is not too cold or wet of a day. We have over 200 parks and yes, they are well used.

You can easily get to places to climb within 30 minutes to 45 minutes. Paddling a kayak can be done in the city or the hills. Hiking is very easy as well and not sparse with the road in as mentioned earlier. You just need to plan your trip in and out of the hills well and know alternate routes. The foothills are widely accessible for hiking with few problems.

I walked around Washington Park on 3.20.09 and here are some pics of a March day with temps in the 60s:













My new best friend, at least until the beer is gone!







Cool Senior!







Topped off with this!

[the3Ds]

Originally Posted by ScottyBoy

My friend and I are going to rent a place in Denver this upcoming summer. We heard that Denver is a very "outdoorsy" town, meaning that most activities involve the outdoors. (i.e hiking, rafting etc).

The two of us enjoy the occasional climb or paddle, but we're not avid outdoorsmen.

So my question is: is Denver actually dominated by these kind of activities?

I guess the bigger question here is why you would want to move to Denver? What about our city makes it appealing for your and your friend?

The short answer is yes, Denver is an outdoorsy city. Not everyone skis and kayaks, but most of us find ourselves outside a lot. My entire neighborhood comes alive after 5 with people biking, walking their dogs, taking their kids out, etc. I have lived in Phoenix and Florida and can say without hesitation that the people here in Denver seem to enjoy the outside a lot more than the other places. It's rated as the #1 healthiest state for a reason, but you don't have to be one of those "hike with a 50 pound backpack and camp for a week" types either. You'll find yourself wanting to be outside and will see people enjoying the parks right along with you.

[reginhild]

I would say that Denver is not an 'outdoorsy' city if you mean outdoor activities in town and right at the city border. Denver does have the usual city parks and ability to go biking or running in the city.

Denver is 'outdoorsy' in that, for a large city, there are lots of folks that enjoy outdoor activities that live in Denver. You can't just go out your door without a car for a typical outdoorsman type activity. They still have to travel to do their skiing, hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, mountain biking, whitewater rafting, kayaking.... Because of this, there are a fair amount of good outdoor stores in Denver such as Bass Pro and Gander Mountain Sports. ...although going to these stores does not an outdoorsman make!

If you are renting for the summer with plans of working, nightlife, and weekend outdoor trips, Denver is the largest city in Colorado with 1 hour drives to many outdoor activities. If you are renting for the summer with the goal of spending vacation time doing outdoorsman type activities - there are probably better places.

[christiaan90040]

Originally Posted by ScottyBoy

My friend and I are going to rent a place in Denver this upcoming summer. We heard that Denver is a very "outdoorsy" town, meaning that most activities involve the outdoors. (i.e hiking, rafting etc).

The two of us enjoy the occasional climb or paddle, but we're not avid outdoorsmen.

So my question is: is Denver actually dominated by these kind of activities?

You may want to also pay mind to the "Menver" reputation, you can google it, and the fact that the nightlife is a guy fest, pretty much

[denverian]

Originally Posted by christiaan90040

You may want to also pay mind to the "Menver" reputation, you can google it, and the fact that the nightlife is a guy fest, pretty much

If they're gay, that would be another plus

[Drew303]

Originally Posted by christiaan90040

You may want to also pay mind to the "Menver" reputation, you can google it, and the fact that the nightlife is a guy fest, pretty much

Aint that the truth!