Arvada: Van Bibber Creek Trail

Van Bibber Creek Trail, Van Bibber Park in Arvada

Distance: 2.3 miles round-trip
Difficulty: Easy
Cost: Free

Choose your own adventure among Van Bibber Park’s five miles of trails. Folks pushing strollers or who are in wheelchairs should follow the paved Van Bibber Creek Trail, which runs along the northern edge of the park and abuts some envy-inducing backyards. To make your legs burn just a little, opt for the 1.8-mile Outer Loop; the dirt footpath climbs (or descends) a brief but steep hill. Or, do as we did, and mix-and-match trails—we added in the gravel Jimmy Go Trail on a second circle around the open space—to fill your lungs with some fresh air before the workday begins. Between the chirping birds, ample greenery, and expansive sky, it’s easy to forget you’re in the middle of the city (and just off a major thoroughfare).

Who Will Love This Trail: Stroller-pushers; dog walkers; families; those seeking ADA-accessible paths

History Lesson: The peaceful park is named for Isaac Van Bibber, who, in 1859, settled a farm near the trail’s namesake waterway.