WASHINGTON PARK LOOP TRAIL:
DENVER, COLORADO
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: October 21, 2025
Length: Washington Park Outer Loop Trail; 2.5 mile Loop
Washington Park Main Road Loop Trail; 2.3 mile Loop
Difficulty: Washington Park Outer Loop Trail; Easy. Flat, stone-dust trail.
Washington Park Main Road Loop Trail; Easy. Flat, paved road.
Directions:
Multiple parking lots and places to park.
Washington Park is surrounded by neighborhoods and was first developed by Architect Reinhard Schuetze in 1899. It is one mile long (North-South) by a quarter-mile wide (East-West), making it one of the largest parks in Denver. Multiple trails traverse the park. The wide, stone-dust Washington Park Outer Loop Trail, as its name implies, follows the outer boundary of the park. The paved Washington Park Main Road Loop Trail circles Washington Park and is mostly closed to vehicles. It consists of 3 separate Lanes: A 2-way pedestrian only Lane, a One-Way Bike Lane (Counter clockwise) and a Car/Bike Lane (where cars are allowed). Finally, 3 separate narrow trails circle Smith Lake Loop, at the Northern End of the park, Grasmere Lake Loop, at the Southern End of the park and Meadow Loop, in the center of the park. For more information visit; WASHINGTON PARK .
Starting from the Volunteers For Outdoor Colorado parking lot [Northwestern End];
Note; The 0.7 mile Smith Lake Loop starts here. I haven't checked out this trail.
The Washington Park Main Road Loop Trail (Cars allowed along this next section) travels South, past Smith Lake.
Note; The Washington Park Outer Loop Trail parallels along your right briefly. I haven't checked out this trail.
Pass by a parking lot and exit out to S Downing St, before passing by the Big Garden on your right. On your left is the Washington Park boathouse, playground, picnic areas & Recreation center. (No cars allowed along this next section) You then pass by open meadows and sports fields.
Note; The 1 mile Meadow Loop is along your left. I haven't checked out this trail.
Pass by more playgrounds, picnic areas and sport courts before coming to the Northern End of Grasmere Lake at 0.6 miles.
Note; The 0.9 mile Grasmere Lake Loop starts here along your left. I haven't checked out this trail.
Continue alongside the lake, before passing by some tennis courts at the Southern End of lake and the trail turns North, at 1.1 miles. Pass by an exit out to S Franklin St at 1.4 miles (Cars allowed along this next section). To your left are parking lots and the Mount Vernon Gardens. Continue past open meadows, sports fields and picnic areas on your left, before passing by the Recreation center and coming to the Southern End of Smith Lake at 1.8 miles. To your left is a parking lot and the Washington Park boathouse. Another exit out to S Franklin St (No cars allowed along this next section). Continue alongside the lake between both the Smith Lake Loop on your left and the Washington Park Outer Loop Trail on your right. Come to the Northern End of the park, where you'll find an exit out to E Virginia Ave at 2.2 miles (Cars allowed along this next section). Trail turns South, returning you to the Volunteers For Outdoor Colorado parking lot after a 2.3 mile Loop.
HH
BEFORE YOU SET OUT BE SURE TO READ THE
WAIVER OF RESPONSIBILITY AND DISCLAIMER
BIKE IT OR HIKE IT