Denver Museum of Nature and Science Park

Before or after your Denver Museum of Nature and Science visit — or as a standalone free outing — the nature play area outside DMNS is one of Denver's best-kept playground secrets. Designed by Earthscape, the outdoor play space takes its visual cues from Colorado's Rocky Mountain landscape, featuring bighorn sheep-themed climbing structures, massive boulders, crawl-through tunnels, and natural textures that give the whole area an adventure-in-the-mountains feel.

For families visiting DMNS, it is a fantastic pre-visit way to burn off energy before the indoor exhibits, or a way to decompress after a long museum day. For families who just want a unique outdoor playground without paying museum admission, the play area is completely free and accessible from the parking area along Colorado Blvd.

Kids aged 2-10 are the prime audience here. The physical design rewards climbers and crawlers, with enough variation in challenge level that younger and older kids can each find something appropriate. The bouldering elements are especially popular with 5-8 year olds who want to feel like real mountain explorers.

The site is exposed and sunny — bring sunscreen and hats year-round, especially in Denver's intense summer sun. There are no food vendors directly at the playground, so pack snacks and water. The play area has limited shade, so early morning visits on summer days are the most comfortable.

Parking is available in the DMNS pay lot or on nearby residential streets. The location adjacent to City Park means you can pair this stop with a walk around the lake, a visit to the Denver Zoo, or a picnic on the grass for a full half-day outside.