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Outdoor Recreation

About Outdoor Recreation

Outdoor Recreation offers a variety of outdoor activities for all ages! Programs include climbing at Genesee Ropes Course, group hiking in the mountains, teambuilding programs, stand up paddleboarding, adventure programs and more.

My Outdoor Colorado

Winter Programs

Ruby Hill Rail Yard (all ages)

Due to Public Health Order capacity limits for outdoor activities, physical distancing requirements and additional COVID-19 restrictions, the Rail Yard at Ruby Hill Park will not open for the 2020/2021 season and the sledding hill will be closed until further notice. Denver Parks and Recreation will continue to work with public health officials to determine how to safely open park amenities and facilities.

Learn to Ski & Ride (youth)

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there are currently no Learn to Ski & Ride programs being offered at this time.

Snowshoe Trips

Spend the day snowshoeing and leave the planning and driving to us! Our experienced guides will lead you on snowshoe outings to beautiful destinations. Enjoy the peace and tranquility that snow brings to the mountains. We provide snowshoes and hiking poles. If snow conditions are not adequate, we'll just hike (lower activity cost indicated below).

Cost: $20 ages 18-64 | $10 ages 65+

Transportation: Provided – see trip for pickup/dropoff location.
What to bring: Wear warm, non-cotton clothing, layering underneath waterproof pants and jackets. We recommend starting with a base layer, then a warm mid-layer such as fleece, completing with a waterproof/windproof layer such as snowpants and jackets.

You'll also need to bring a backpack with:

Hat and gloves
Warm boots
2 full water bottles
Lunch and snacks
Extra warm layers

Check back later for upcoming activities!

Cross-Country Skiing

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there are currently no Cross-Country Skiing programs being offered at this time.

Youth Adventure Programs

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there are currently no Youth Adventure programs being offered at this time.

Multi-Day Adventures

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there are currently no Multi-Day Adventures being offered at this time.

Spring, Summer & Fall Programs

Youth Adventure Programs

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.

Upcoming Activities:
Check back later for more Youth Adventure Programs!

Multi-Day Adventures (Adults)

Our all-inclusive adult excursions 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!)

Upcoming Activities:

Check back later for more multi-day adventures!

Stand-Up Paddle-boarding (Adults)

Both beginners and experienced paddlers 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 – see trip for pickup/dropoff location below.

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
Waterbottle

Lunch and snacks (only for 4 hour programs that take place over the lunch hour).

Upcoming Activities:

Check back later for more stand up paddleboarding dates!

Hiking Excursions (Adults)

Spend a day hiking and leave the planning to us! Our experienced guides will lead you on hikes to spectacular destinations!

Transportation: Provided – see trip for pickup/dropoff 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

Price: $20 | 65+ $10

Upcoming Activities:
Check back later for more hiking excursions!

Genesee Challenge Course

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!

For more information call 720-865-0680 or email at outdoor.recreation@denvergov.org.

Upcoming Activities:

Check back for more Genesee Challenge Course events!

Group Programs

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.
Ages: 6+
Cost: $10/person (group provides transportation)
We can provide transportation for up to 26 participants. The cost would be $20/person.
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.
Ages: 11+
Cost: $44/person
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.
Cost: $10 (without transportation), $20 (with transportation)
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