Enjoy Year-Round Outdoor Activities in Adams County, CO

Adams County Government

It’s no secret that people move to Colorado to have access to the state’s beautiful outdoor spaces. And if you are looking for a great place to live in the Denver metro area, you will find plenty of outstanding outdoor activities in Adams County, CO. During all four seasons, outdoor enthusiasts can be found exploring trails, parks and nature preserves. 

“Adams County is pretty dynamic. We have walking trails, lakes where you can go fishing, world-class golf courses, and all kinds of flora and fauna,” says Byron Fanning, director of the Parks, Open Space & Cultural Arts Department for Adams County. 

Fanning also notes the many community events that take place across the region, including Welby Days, Bennett Days, the Adams County Fair, Stars and Stripes Celebration, Pride Fest, Festival Latino and the Dragon Boat Festival. 

Explore the Parks’ Scenic Beauty

Adams County is full of places to enjoy the surrounding scenic beauty. The county is home to Barr Lake State Park in Brighton, a 2,715-acre park that includes 12 miles of walking trails. Fish and boat in the northern half of the park, then visit the wildlife refuge with viewing stations and a nature center on the southern half.

Other beautiful public parks include Clear Creek Valley Park in Arvada and Riverdale Regional Park in Brighton.

“One of the unique features of Riverdale Regional Park is the Adams County Veterans Memorial, which is a one-third scale replica of the USS Colorado,” Fanning says. “The bow juts out into the lake like you’re on a boat.” 

The park is 1,197 acres, which is even larger than Central Park.

Get Ready to Hit the Trails

Public multimodal trail systems extend for miles in Adams County. The Clear Creek Trail and South Platte River Trail are regional trails that run through Adams County and intersect at the confluence of Clear Creek and the South Platte River. While the Clear Creek Trail starts in Adams County, it runs all the way through Golden, a city in the foothills. 

“Our trails are often used not only for recreation but for regional transportation,” Fanning says. “We expanded our parking lots during the pandemic, and we continue to see our trailhead lots full.” 

It’s the connectivity of the trails that makes the region more walkable and promotes bicycle transit. 

Niver Creek Trail winds through Thornton, connecting Bell Roth Park and Pecos Park, and meanders through the Niver Creek Open Space. Little Dry Creek Trail connects to the Denver regional trail system, with a view of Stanley Lake on the route. 

Birds and Bison 

Several unique wildlife preservation areas in Adams County double as public green spaces, including Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge in Commerce City, Plains Conservation Center in Aurora, the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies in Brighton and Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge in Arvada.

The Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge is one of the largest urban refuges in the U.S. On the drive through the area, visitors can spot bison, deer, raptors and maybe even a bald eagle – among other native species. 

The Bird Conservancy of the Rockies’ mission is to conserve birds and their habitat. In Brighton, its Environmental Learning Center at Barr Lake State Park features trails and gardens where you’re guaranteed to watch native wildlife in their natural habitats. 

“We really shine on our guided programming. For instance, we have a Birding for All program for people with disabilities, and bird walks, which help make beginning birders more comfortable,” says Sarah Doxon, education manager at the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies. 

Facilities for All-Season Sports

With over 300 days of sunshine in the state, from summer golf season to ski season, Adams County caters to four-season sports. The region has a plethora of golf courses to enjoy. Popular courses include the Legacy Ridge Golf Course in Westminster, Buffalo Run Golf Course in Commerce City, and Todd Creek and Thorncreek in Thornton.

“Riverdale Dunes and Riverdale Golf Courses are two of the best-maintained golf courses in the metro area,” Fanning adds. “They’re also two of the most affordable.”

Only a select part of the country has access to elite skiing, and Colorado is one of them. Eldora Mountain is the closest outdoor ski destination, just a little over an hour away from Adams County. SNÖBAHN is a new indoor ski and snowboarding facility that recently opened in Thornton.

The premier year-round destination in the region is Hyland Hills Park and Recreation District, which maintains over 16 parks and offers the Centre at the Promenade, Greg Mastriona Golf Courses at Hyland Hills and Water World.