Colorado makes it cheap to get outside. Most residents can add a state parks pass to their car registration for $29, kids get in free, and libraries lend park passes. The two things that catch people off guard are the altitude and the summer afternoon storms. Here’s how to use the cheap options and stay safe doing it.
At a glance
- Keep Colorado Wild Pass
- $29 a year, bought with vehicle registration [1]
- Kids 16 and under
- Free entry to state parks [1]
- Library backpack
- Free state park admission for up to a week, 307 libraries [3]
- Denver rec centers, 60+
- Free with MY Denver PRIME [4]
- High Line Canal Trail
- 71 miles through metro Denver [5]
The $29 state parks pass
When you register a car, motorcycle, RV or light truck in Colorado, you can buy the Keep Colorado Wild Pass for $29. It’s only sold through the DMV at registration, not at parks [1]. It gives car, bike and foot entry to all Colorado state parks for a year, or until your registration expires [1].
Colorado Parks and Wildlife says the pass saves 60% compared with the regular $80 annual parks pass [1]. It doesn’t cover national parks, local parks, state wildlife areas or state trust lands [1].
Two more ways to pay less:
- Kids: “Coloradans 16 years old or younger can visit state parks for free” [1].
- Lower income: CPW offers a $14 Centennial State Parks Pass to income-eligible residents. You can opt out of the Keep Colorado Wild Pass at registration and get this one instead [1].
| Pass | Price |
|---|---|
| Individual daily pass (no vehicle) | $4 per person |
| Affixed vehicle annual pass | $80 |
| Family annual pass | $120 |
| Aspen Leaf annual pass (Colorado residents 64+) | $70 |
Borrow a park pass from the library
If you don’t have the registration pass, check your library. Colorado Parks and Wildlife says 307 libraries take part in its Library Backpack Program. Patrons can borrow a backpack for up to one week, “which includes free admission to state parks” [3]. The packs may hold binoculars, nature guides, magnifiers and a nature journal [3]. It’s a good way to try a park before committing to a pass.
Denver recreation centers
Denver Parks and Recreation sells memberships at three levels: regional, local and neighborhood.
| Level | Annual | Single drop-in visit |
|---|---|---|
| Regional | $369 | $6 |
| Local | $249 | $5.50 |
| Neighborhood | $190 | $5 |
Annual membership prices shown are the standard rates before the 10% discount for paying annually in advance. Eligible members can save 10% by choosing this payment option.
Ways to pay less in Denver [4]:
- 60 and older: “MY Denver PRIME is a Free membership for Denver residents ages 60 and up.”
- Financial help: The city offers financial assistance for recreation programs. You need documentation, and you should apply at least two weeks before you register.
- Other discounts: 90% off for residents of the 80216 ZIP code, reduced prices for people with disabilities, and 50% off additional family members.
The High Line Canal Trail
The High Line Canal Conservancy describes the canal trail as 71 miles long, running from Waterton Canyon to Green Valley Ranch, just south of Denver International Airport [5]. It drops only about 200 feet over its whole length, so it’s mostly flat [5]. The southern half is mostly soft gravel; the northern half is mostly asphalt or concrete [5].
It passes through 11 jurisdictions, including Douglas County, Highlands Ranch, Littleton, Centennial, Greenwood Village, Cherry Hills Village, Denver, Arapahoe County and Aurora, and the conservancy says you can use it year-round [5]. There are gaps near mile 10 (Plum Creek) and mile 13 (South Santa Fe Boulevard), so check the conservancy’s detour notices before a long outing [5].
Altitude: start slow
Many Colorado trailheads, ski areas and mountain towns sit well above the Front Range cities. The CDC says unacclimatized travelers sleeping at 8,000 feet or higher are at risk of altitude illness, and that about 25% of visitors sleeping above that height in Colorado get acute mountain sickness [6]. Its advice for new arrivals: do only mild exercise for the first 48 hours at altitude, avoid alcohol for those first two days, and climb gradually [6].
If you just moved here or are visiting from sea level, take your first week of workouts easier than you would at home.
Afternoon thunderstorms
Plan summer hikes and long rides so you’re off high, open ground before storms build. The National Weather Service is blunt: “There is no safe place outside when thunderstorms are in the area,” and “When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors” [7].
How much is enough
The CDC says adults need 150 minutes of moderate activity a week, such as brisk walking, plus muscle-strengthening activity at least two days a week [8]. Vigorous activity counts at roughly double the rate [8]. Your first few days at altitude are the time to stay at the moderate end.
Sources
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Keep Colorado Wild Pass
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Parks pass information
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Outdoor Explorer backpack
- City and County of Denver, Recreation center memberships
- High Line Canal Conservancy, How to walk the Canal
- CDC Yellow Book, High-altitude travel and altitude illness
- National Weather Service, Lightning safety
- CDC, Physical activity guidelines for adults
Common questions
How much is the Keep Colorado Wild Pass?
$29 a year. Colorado residents can only buy it when they register a vehicle through the DMV. It covers vehicle, bike and foot entry to all Colorado state parks.
Do kids pay to get into Colorado state parks?
No. Colorado Parks and Wildlife says Coloradans 16 or younger can visit state parks for free.
Can I borrow a state parks pass from the library?
Yes. 307 Colorado libraries lend a backpack for up to a week that includes free admission to state parks, plus nature guides and binoculars or other gear.
Is there a free rec center membership in Denver?
For Denver residents 60 and older, yes. MY Denver PRIME is a free membership. Adults 25 to 64 pay $190 to $369 a year depending on the level of centers they want.