Type: Trail, Loop
Difficulty: 2 / 10
Altitude: 5,312 ft
Elev. Gain/Loss: 8 ft / 8 ft
Dog Friendly: Yes, with leash
Jog-Stroller Friendly: Yes
Filed Under: Running
Washinton Park is a popular Denver area run. Any given saturday you may see several hundred runners and walkers at the park. The perimeter loop is a gentle, crushed gravel and dirt loop that circles the park. The loop is mostly flat, although there are a few very small hills. This is a great place for either a casual run or a tempo workout, ideal for runners of all abilities.
There is a water fountain on the north side of the loop at the fire station. There are bathrooms and another water fountain on the south end of the loop at the tennis courts, just about 30 feet north of the path. Dogs are welcome, but leashed only and bring your poop bag.
Hungry after your run? Head six blocks west to Pearl Street for some great (and a little pricey) restaurants. Or, for cheaper and eclectic faire, head east 8 blocks to University Blvd. And, for some of the best locally made ice cream in Denver, go to Bonnie Brae Ice Cream shop at the corner of Ohio Ave. and University Blvd. - a scrumptious post-run treat!
From I-25, take the Alameda Exit. Drive East. At S. Downing Street, take a right and drive South until you reach the North end of the park at E. Virginia Ave.
Also from I-25 you can take the S. Corona St. exit and head North. S. Corona becomes S. Downing St. The South border of the park is E. Louisiana Ave.
Coming Denver, the major East - West street near the park is Alameda Ave. University Blvd. is the major North - South street in the park.
Once at the Park, you can enter at the West side (S. Downing St.) or the North side (E. Virginia Ave.). Parking is free, be mindful of zones for parking and of bikes zipping by and around you. You can also park in the neighborhood around Washington Park.
Comments
sean said ...
There is a shorter run in the park that runs clockwise along the inner paved road that circumnavigates the park and goes around Smith Lake and Grassmere Lake. This inner loop is 2.26 miles long. Combine the inner and outer perimeter loop and you will almost have a 5 mile run.
I also agree that Bonnie Brae has the best ice cream in Denver!
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