which park? (Denver, Boulder, Golden: rental, moving to, activities)

[movin' on up]

as part of my visit to denver in a few months i wanted to spend a day or 2 at one of the state parks or other rec area near denver (w/i 45 min drive). because the outdoors are a big reason that i'm considering moving to denver, i thought that it would make sense to check out a park that i would have access to on any given weekend for a run, hike, bike ride, kayak trip, etc.

so what parks to you recommend? i like all outdoor activities (non-motorized).

we also plan on checking out the city parks when we're there but i'm having trouble finding out if there's a place where i can rent a bike to ride on the many paths.

thanks in advance for your insight.

[tfox]

For bicycle rentals, try Bicycle Doctor http://www.bicycledr.com/ , Cherry Creek Bike Rack http://cherrycreekbikerack.com/ . REI at 15th & Platte might have rentals, not sure -- I do know they will let you try out their bikes on their mountain bike test track as well as around Confluence Park.

[2bindenver]

Golden Gate outside of Golden. Waterton Canyon SW near Chatfield Res. Cherry Creek, Highline Canal...possibilities are, dare I say, endless

[tfox]

There are a ton of mountain parks -- most of the western half of Jefferson county is mountain parks, all within an easy drive of Denver. Genessee Park Lookout Mountain are some of Denver's large array of mountain parks. Roxborough State Park is another nice park in the sw metro. Red Rocks Park in Morrisson is worth going to as well Boulder also has a number of parks you can go to right in town -- if you park at the beautiful NCAR facility in south Boulder, you can access all of Boulder's Mountain Parks from there. You can also go up Eldorado Canyon near Boulder.

Really, if you just head in a car, drive west, you're going to hit lots and lots of mountain parks.

[movin' on up]

thanks for the great info!