Outdoor Recreation offers a variety of outdoor activities for all ages! Programs are offered throughout the year and include climbing at Genesee Ropes Course, group hiking in the mountains, teambuilding programs, stand up paddle boarding, adventure programs and more.
Learn more about Outdoor Recreation offerings in the following sections:
It’s time to crank up the adventure on your summer vacation and school breaks! Outdoor Recreation (ODR) staff will lead a small group of kids on fun, educational adventures each day of the program. Transportation provided! ODR staff picks-up and drops-off at a designated Recreation Center.
Our all-inclusive excursions are designed for adults and provide the opportunity to experience a variety of adventures across Colorado. At least one trip is offered each season. Trips are small groups lead by experienced guides and include:
- Transportation
- Equipment
- Misc. fees (park entry, rentals, tour fees, etc.)
- Shared lodging (cabins, yurts or tents depending on the adventure)
- Most food (we cook together as a group!)
Spend a day hiking and leave the planning to us! Our experienced guides will lead you on hikes to spectacular destinations! Transportation provided from designated pickup/drop-off location.
What to bring: Wear comfortable clothes and sturdy sneakers or hiking boots.
Bring a backpack with the following:
- 2 full water bottles
- Lunch and snacks
- Extra warm layers and rain gear
Both beginners and experienced paddlers ages 18+ are invited to join Outdoor Recreation for an evening or day on the water! Trained staff will teach the basics of standup paddle boarding (SUP), after which you’ll paddle with the group with assistance readily available. All equipment included. Open to beginners along with more experienced paddlers!
Transportation: No transportation is provided for Sloan’s Lake and Evergreen Lake outings. All other programs include transportation from a designated pickup/drop-off location.
What to Bring: Please dress in clothes that can get wet and wear secure sandals (no flip-flops) or shoes that can get wet. Please also bring/wear:
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Water bottle
Lunch and snacks (only for 4 hour programs that take place over the lunch hour).
Located in Genesee Park, just 20 minutes west of Denver, Genesee Challenge Course is set in a beautiful stand of Ponderosa Pines overlooking the continental divide. There are roughly 60 low and high elements that allow us to create a program specifically designed to achieve your group’s goals.
Learn more | Download the brochure(PDF, 2MB)
Minimum Group Size: 8
Maximum Group Size: 100
Ages: 8+ (we also have programming for 6 and 7 year-olds if you have a mixed age group, it’s just not on the elements)
Groups that we work with: We work with a variety of groups ranging from schools to scouts to corporate groups. We can even accommodate families and private groups of 8 or more!
Season: May-October (we also offer Urban Teambuilding during the other seasons where we come to your location)
Length of Program: We offer half and full-day programs ranging from 4-6.5 hours.
Staff to Participant Ratio: We aim to have one staff for every 12-15 participants.
Types of Programs: We have low elements that focus more on teambuilding and are on the ground or a few feet of the ground. WE also have high elements that involving climbing to height in a harness attached to a rope and focus more on individual challenge. We can create a program that works to meet your goals which may be lows-only or both lows and highs (we do not do highs-only programs).
Custom Programs: In addition to challenge course programming, we also have camping, hiking and rock climbing at the site. We can create a custom multi-day program for your group that involves various activities!
- Bike Park Permitting
Denver's bike parks are available for hosting instructional programs and events. Learn more about how to request a permit.
- Youth Discovery Program
Bring your group to Echo Lake at the base of Mt. Evans this winter! This full-day program involves snowshoeing around the lake, environmental/ecology activities, and a campfire. Transportation for up to 26 participants optional for additional cost.
- Rock Climbing Program
Spend the day increasing teamwork and challenging your group. We’ll hike approximately 45 minutes to a backcountry rock climbing site and teach your group how to belay and climbing techniques as we spend the day at the crag prior to our return hike.
- Hiking/Snowshoeing
We’re happy to work with your group to plan and lead hiking or snowshoeing trip! We can provide transportation (for smaller groups) or meet you at the trailhead.
- Camping
Stay with us at Genesee Experiential Outdoor Center. Combine camping with your challenge course experience, rock climbing or hiking for a multi-day adventure. Or we can plan a front-country or backcountry excursion for your group elsewhere. Let our skilled staff handle the planning, leadership and risk management for your group! Cost: varies by activity and location
Denver Parks and Recreation (DPR) is developing an Outdoor Adventure and Alternative Sports Master Plan. The plan will identify nontraditional outdoor recreation trends, best practices, and how DPR can better leverage its current assets while identifying new opportunities (i.e. partnerships, mountain parks, etc.) over the next 20 years, specifically focusing on equity. The planning process will consist of:
- Inventory and needs assessment (including gap analysis)
- Community outreach to identify needs, priorities, and opportunities
- Exploring and leveraging partnerships to deliver programming
- Creating a phased implementation and financial plan
The Outdoor Adventure and Alternative Sports Plan builds off DPR's Game Plan for a Healthy City and Strategic Acquisition Plan(PDF, 4MB).
Learn more & get involved
My Outdoor Colorado (MOC)is a visionary approach to connecting youth with the outdoors through strategic partnerships that provide access to nature education, recreation and skill-building opportunities. Access to the outdoors fosters a greater appreciation of the natural environment, provides opportunities to build an ethic of stewardship, and helps youth experience potential careers in the outdoors.
Learn More
CLOSING March 20, 2025: The last day for Ruby Hill Rail Yard with features.
Learn to Snowboard!
A free Learn-to-Ride event with instructors from Winter Park Resort will be hosted Sat. March 22 and Sun. March 23 from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Free rental snowboards, boots and helmets will be available on a first-come, first-served. Participants under 18 years of age will need a parent or guardian to sign a waiver. Please bring identification for equipment rentals.
The Ruby Hill Rail Yard officially opens for the 2025 season this Sunday, January 26, 2025. This season, the rail yard features newly designed rails, boxes, and configurations to accommodate skill levels from beginner to advanced. Open to both snowboarders and skiers, the rail yard remains free to the public. Weather permitting, the rail yard will be open until March.
In addition, starting Friday, January 31, 2025, DPR will be offering FREE rental equipment, including snowboards, boots, helmets, and snow tubes, on Fridays from 4 p.m. – 9 p.m., and Saturdays & Sundays from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. This initiative is designed to make winter sports accessible to all.
Free community events at the rail yard will include:
- Burton Mystery Series – Saturday, February 8, 2025
- Snow Pirates Co. Event and Competition – Saturday, February 22, 2025
- CoreNation Rail Jam – Saturday, March 1, 2025
- Denver Learns to Ride Day – Last Saturday before Rail Yard Closure (TBD)
Ruby Hill Park, home to the rail yard, is located off South Platte River Drive and West Florida Avenue. Park hours are from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., and the Rail Yard is lighted daily from 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. Volunteers will be present during the lighted hours for upkeep and to assist visitors. The Ruby Hill Rail Yard is free and open to the public.
The Ruby Hill Rail Yard was created in 2007 as a collaboration between DPR and Winter Park Resort to offer a premier winter sports experience in an urban setting. Winter Park Resort contributes its technical expertise in rail park design, while DPR manages the location and operations. Over 35 dedicated volunteers work each season to help bring this project to life.