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Located less than two miles from the heart of downtown Denver, hiking this trail feels like an outing in the country.


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Map Key

3.2

Miles

5.1

KM

Loop

5,336' 1,626 m

High

5,311' 1,619 m

Low

57' 17 m

Up

56' 17 m

Down

1%

Avg Grade (0°)

4%

Max Grade (2°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Lake · Spring · Views · Wildlife

Family Friendly The whole family will enjoy picnicking, kite flying, watching the boats and much more!

No overnight camping allowed.

Description

This flat trail starts in the parking lot at 21st and Stuart Street. Head north on the path by the lake.

To complete the longer 3.1-mile route, head uphill through the trees at the fork by the next parking lot. Cross the street at Byron Place and continue uphill toward the first of two sets of tennis courts and playgrounds. Don’t miss the faces carved in the tree stumps at the edge of the playground. Continue downhill recrossing Byron Place toward the jetty and boathouse. Take the path out to the end of the jetty. Stop at the farthest point of the jetty to watch the ducks, geese, cormorants, hawks, pelicans, and sometimes even a bald eagle. Head back on the path between the boathouse and the boat docks to see the waterskiers take off.

Stay on the path around the edge of the lake. Near the corner of 17th and Sheridan you'll be hiking on the former grounds of Manhattan Beach Amusement Park (1881-1914) and current home of the annual July Dragon Boat Festival.

After the path finishes its route along Sheridan and you cross the pedestrian bridge, check out the WWII memorial to the 52 lost US submarines and the Colorado Mile High Diggers, WWII submarine veterans.

On the south side of the lake, take the next fork uphill through the trees along 17th Avenue. Historical interpretive signs will give you a clue to the history of the area and the 177-acre lake, the largest in Denver. The trail passes by the second playground and tennis courts. Sometimes you can see a turtle in the reeds along this part of the trail.

As you continue around the southeast edge of the lake, notice “The Denver” art sculpture. After you pass that, take the path that crosses Lake Shore Drive heading uphill toward Lake Junior High. At the corner of Mead and 20th, stop to enjoy the Frances Melrose Inspirational Garden. Read the engraved flagstone pavers about this great Rocky Mountain News writer.

Head back downhill to rejoin the lake path continuing to the parking lot where you began. Enjoy the magnificent views of the mountains from the east side of the lake and the city scape views from the west. Sunsets are ordinarily spectacular.

Lake Activities:
Cross country skiing, water skiing, sailing, kayaking, standup paddle boarding, rowing, kite flying, bike riding, fishing, softball, tennis, picnicking, 5Ks, festivals.

Contacts

Shared By:

David Thurman

Trail Ratings

  3.7 from 11 votes

#11421

Overall
  3.7 from 11 votes
5 Star
36%
4 Star
9%
3 Star
45%
2 Star
9%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#971

in Colorado

#11,421

Overall
47 Views Last Month
4,246 Since Feb 4, 2017
Easy Easy

92%
0%
8%
0%
0%
0%

Photos

The sun rises over Denver at Sloan's Lake Park.
Feb 4, 2017 near Edgewater, CO
The sun sets at Sloan's Lake Park.
Feb 4, 2017 near Edgewater, CO
Morning fog rolls over Cooper Island at Sloan's Lake Park.
Feb 4, 2017 near Edgewater, CO
Enjoy beautiful views of the Denver skyline from Sloan's Lake Park.
Feb 4, 2017 near Edgewater, CO

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Check-Ins

Jun 20, 2024
Megan Sneed
4.2mi — 6h 59m
Apr 21, 2022
Nicole Wagner
0h 43m
Jun 28, 2021
project busy
3.2mi
May 25, 2021
Sandy Navarrete
Oct 26, 2020
Mike Williams
5.5mi — 1h 36m
May 12, 2020
Lara Rose
The home trail. 3.2mi — 1h 00m
Apr 1, 2018
Ryan Harvey
3.2mi — 0h 30m
Feb 28, 2018
Katie Edwards
Logging old trails to see how this works
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