Bear Creek Greenbelt — Attraction in Lakewood

Peaceful and Beautiful – A Solid 2-Hour Nature Walk at Bear Creek Greenbelt

I recently spent a couple of hours walking through Bear Creek Greenbelt Park in the Denver/Lakewood area, and honestly, I was pleasantly surprised by how beautiful and peaceful it was. I hadn’t planned for such a long walk, but the trail just kept pulling me forward. If you enjoy a good balance of nature, fresh air, and low-key exercise, this is a great place to unwind.

The trail starts off pretty easy, and I appreciated how wide and well-maintained the main path was. Most of it is paved, but there are also stretches of crushed gravel and some natural surface routes if you want to step off the main drag. You can really make the walk what you want—go for a short stroll or do what I did and spend a solid two hours just following the trail and seeing where it takes you.

One thing I immediately noticed was how quiet and calm the area is. Even though the park is not far from busy roads and neighborhoods, once you’re a few minutes in, you feel like you’ve stepped into a totally different world. The sound of Bear Creek flowing nearby, birds chirping, and the wind moving through the trees all added to the sense of calm. It wasn’t crowded, but there were enough people around that it felt safe and welcoming—dog walkers, solo hikers, joggers, and a few cyclists.

The scenery is beautiful, especially if you enjoy creekside views, tall grasses, and shaded areas under big cottonwoods. At a few points, the trail opens up to wide grassy areas, and I noticed people relaxing on benches or having casual conversations along the path. It’s not the kind of place with dramatic mountain views or high elevation climbs, but for a neighborhood greenbelt, it’s serene, green, and filled with subtle beauty.

The walking itself is easy to moderate. There aren’t any steep hills, but the trail does have some slight elevation changes and a few spots with stairs or uneven terrain, especially near creek crossings and small wooden bridges. If you’re wearing decent shoes, you’ll be fine. It’s also nice that there are plenty of side paths and alternate loops, so you can make your walk as short or long as you like without getting bored.

There are restroom facilities at some trailheads and a few trash bins along the way, though I’d recommend bringing your own water if you plan to stay out for more than an hour. I didn’t see many fountains. I also didn’t notice any food vendors or cafés close by, so it’s more of a bring-your-own-snack type of place.

The trail is also dog-friendly (as long as they’re on a leash), and I saw a lot of happy pups enjoying the walk. Most people were pretty respectful of trail etiquette, which made the experience feel safe and easygoing.

Parking was free and fairly easy to find near Sheridan Blvd, but I imagine on weekends it could fill up fast. I went on a weekday morning and had no problem getting a spot close to the main entrance.

All in all, I’d give Bear Creek Greenbelt a solid 8.5 out of 10. It’s not flashy or filled with amenities, but it delivers exactly what you’d want from a nature trail that’s close to the city—clean paths, beautiful views, a calm atmosphere, and plenty of space to just move and breathe. After two hours of walking, I left feeling refreshed and centered. I’d absolutely go back, and next time I’ll bring a small picnic or maybe even try biking the full length.

Definitely worth checking out if you’re in the area and want a peaceful outdoor experience without...

This is one of my favorite parks to walk my dogs on leash, there are waste bag stations and many trash cans that are within reach here. A lot of ground to cover. All of the trails in any direction give a different view, a different scent for the dogs to follow, a different level of exercise. I've also seen ducks, owls, hawks, fish, turtles, you name it! I always recommend this park for meeting friends with their dogs, or suggesting to people that may be bored of the same walk around the same lake on the same path, like some of the parks closer to home. A few areas deeper into the woods are my favorite trails for shade and little hills for exercise, but I won't go into some alone if I see people camped out, which doesn't happen all too often. Watch out for some of the prairie dog burrows closer to the West part of the trail, but otherwise clean and...

Really nice public park with tons of nice paved trails. Lots of nice views all over, pretty little wooded areas with streams and lots of ducks and other wildlife. Lots of signs of beaver activity, but no beavers spotted on our trek. Highly recommended for a nice walk or ride if you prefer flatter, paved trails. Use caution if walking, many bicyclists blew by without announcing their presence and the unpredictable 4 year old that was with us wasn't always fast enough to get out of the way. Could use another set of toilets somewhere, but otherwise highly...