Kid friendly things to do in Woodland Park, Colorado

Woodland Park is David’s favorite little mountain town. We visit often and have a pretty good idea of all the kid friendly things to do in Woodland Park.

When we were looking for houses to buy a few years ago, David REALLY wanted to move to Woodland Park. They have neighborhood deer that walk around the neighborhoods as much as squirrels do. And off-road trails galore!

We’ve stayed in several AirBnB’s here and even camp once a year for our son’s birthday in Woodland Park.

So yea, we know how to find the fun places for kids in Woodland Park!

There are a few things that really stick out for David as to why this is his favorite small mountain town.

• Off-road trails are in abundance. They have so many. We’ll share our favorites below.
• Neighborhood deer. Who doesn’t love to walk by a window or drive down the street and see beautiful deer.
• Small town feel surrounded by mountains. You are in the clouds here, with mountains all around!

But this post isn’t about David’s favorites. You came here to find fun places for kids in Woodland Park.

Kid friendly things to do in Woodland Park, Colorado

Dinosaur Resource Center

I put this place first because it is our favorite. It’s not that expensive and we spend hours here.

Dinosaur resource center is an educational dinosaur museum. There are guides that walk around to give you a tour or to answer your questions. They are super awesome people and you can certainly tell their knowledge of dinosaurs is next level. Usually my kids know more than adults (as most kids do) but to have an adult geek out about the dinos as much as your kids, is amazing!

When you walk in the main floor area, you are greeted by a typical museum setting with guides walking around. Then in the back corner is the kids interactive section. They have 2 places where the kids can “dig up fossils”. There is usually an educational movie playing on the TV. They have dino books that they kids can take off the shelf to read along with seating. A fun little corner to play at.

If you walk out to the atrium area, ok I’m kidding. There are two rooms that have window walls, same thing right?! These rooms change often. They display the skeletons replicas that they build or the artifacts that are for sale. Collectors and other museums will buy their work. There are some super awesome things in these rooms.

I said that they build skeleton replicas, you can watch them being made. My kids stand at the window like creepers just in awe of what is happening behind the window. Yes the paleontologist can see you, and they are super nice and wave or try and talk to you through the window.

I can talk about this place all day and how amazing it is for kids. It’s cool, just go.

AJ’s Pizzeria

Ok, so after you spend all morning at the Dino resource center, go across the street to AJ’s. I say across the street, but it’s across highway 24. The road is a 4 lane highway with a median. Walking across the street with the kids might not be ideal for you. So, hop back in the car and drive, it’ll take 2 minutes.

AJ’s obviously sells pizza but they sell other food. Pasta, salads, sandwiches and appetizers to name a few.

AJ’s has indoor and outdoor seating. The outdoor seating is large with umbrellas at the tables.

Aquatic Center

The Aquatic Center is indoors. They have a large slide that has you sliding down inside and outside of the building, which is fun. There is a low-depth splash area for littles and a lazy river for your older kids.

They also offer water fitness classes in the morning and private swim lessons for those that are interested.

Memorial Park

This is such a fun park. We call it the Woodland Park park. We were just here last weekend. I cooked dinner on our camp stove while the kids played on the playground and David tossed the ball around for Luna.

The park has a large play structure, bathrooms, pond you can fish at, and little creek with a bridge to play on. The neighborhood deer will even come to graze on the grass at the park.

Memorial Park in Woodland Park is also where the Farmers Market takes place too, which I talk about below.

Rent a Jeep

We have not rented a Jeep through this place, but I would highly recommend it. There are SO.MANY. places to off-road in Woodland Park. I say rent a Jeep because we are obviously bias. But they have ATV rentals also. I just don’t know if you can put a car seat in those…

Great Outdoor Adventures has guided Jeep tours as well as rentals. You are allowed to put your kiddos car seat in those. Also they offer maps to the off-road trails that are great for families. So instead of doing what we do… just wing it and see if a trail is good, they already know these trails well and can offer you first class service to all the “good spots.”

Go on Jeep trails

If you already own an off-road vehicle and want to explore on your own, we have a couple trails that we recommend for you.

*Warning- We are experienced and these trails are not hard for us. It would be best to watch the you-tube videos and/or go to Trailsoffroad.com and check them out there. Or if you have “The Book“, then take a look at these trails in there.

Hell Creek – This road has several different names but check out the post we wrote about it. Maybe this is a trail you’d like to venture out on.

Schubarth– Another fun trail with rock outcroppings to climb on. (The kids, not the Jeep)

Kids favorite trail (Hotel Gulch Winding Stairs) – This is a series of roads that we go on to make up “The kids favorite trail”. There is an epic lunch spot that we spot at every time.

Rule Ridge Loop– We’ve done this trail in the Jeep Gladiator and the Commander. The video is with the Commander.

Beaver Creek– We usually wheel this one in the snow. Some how it always works out that way.

Rampart Reservoir

Rampart Reservoir is a place you can spend all day at! The first time we came out to Rampart Reservoir was last year. We spent the day exploring and driving down every road that we could. Check out the post. It’ll go into great detail about the reservoir.

A quick run down… go hiking on some of their many trails in the morning. Pack a picnic lunch and bring your SUP board and spend all afternoon on the water. You can also fish on the bank. The best spot is in a cove area. 😉

Go Fishing

Our oldest son wants to go fishing for his birthday every year. Last year we camped at Diamond Campground and went fishing at the reservoir. He is the only one that caught a fish that day. Super proud dude!

There are some regulations to fishing, as usual. Check out the Forest Service page for more details.

Bergstrom Park

This park isn’t a playground park. It has a really cool old train cart, some neat structures, picnic tables and public restrooms. It’s a quick stop to learn a little about Woodland Park. Also you can park here and venture to the next location.

Antler Alley

This is a cute touristy attraction that is between the buildings downtown. If you’ve ever been to Jackson hole or seen pictures of the famous antler arch, this is very similar.

It makes for a cute picture and something fun to talk about. I mean, you are already walking around town, enjoying the ambiance, why not take a selfie with the Antler Arch.

Farmers Market

Every Friday Woodland Park has a Farmers Market. It’s very large and takes up every inch of sidewalk space at Memorial Park. Fruit and vegetables galore, as you’d imagine. Everyone has amazing food and crafts that they have all hand made.

The last time we were there, we got pretzels that were the size of our faces! Farmers Markets are fun places to visit. If you are in town on a Friday in the summer, go check this place out.

Gateway Park

This park is right next to the Elementary school. There are signs that tell you the park will be closed during school hours for the privacy of the school kids. They also have a porta potty there for kid emergencies. 🙂

This play structure is all wooden and HUGE! Wooden play structures are among a favorite with our kids. Reasoning… it’s different. And they usually have a better “climbability” than the plastic ones. And usually larger! A win in my kids book.

Red Rocks Campground Trail

We just found out about this gem! I really need to make a post about it. The place is that awesome!

Our kids love to climb rocks. (Maybe we should get them into rock climbing with harnesses and all that fun stuff) It’s the main reason why we love Garden of the Gods so much!

Red Rocks Trail is down highway 67 at the Red Rocks Group Campground on the right. Go straight back until you get to a fork in the road. Go right again and drive until you get to the power lines. Park there. Take the trial until you are awestruck by red rocks.

I have no idea if this is the “correct” trail, but it’s where we go. And we’ve spent HOURS climbing on the rocks and hiking in and out of the “canyons.”

Caution– You might lose a kid for a brief time. We play the Marco Polo game so I can find them. They get carried away crawling through the caves and holes. Sometimes they are hiding so they can scare me, it’s a fun game they play…

*Bonus- Kid friendly things to do NEAR Woodland Park

Above I listed many things to do with your kiddos IN Woodland Park. If you are staying in town, or close by, then you’ll probably have time to see a couple attractions that are NEAR Woodland Park too.

Kid friendly things to do near Woodland Park

• Wolf Sanctuary
• Pikes Peak Drive
• Santa’s Workshop
• Eleven Mile Reservoir
• Manitou Cliff Dwellings
• Cave of the Winds
• Visit Green Mountain Falls
• Florissant Fossil Beds
• Mueller State Park

These are all places fun places for kids near Woodland Park. Some are a bit pricey, but worth the experience in our opinion.

Wrapping up kid friendly things to do in Woodland Park

I gave you a list of fun places to visit with your kids in Woodland Park. AND I gave you a list of fun places to visit with your kids near Woodland Park too.

So if you are staying near Woodland Park then you’ll certainly have time to explore much more.

Once you visit Woodland Park I’m sure you’ll love it as much as David. 😉

Happy Trails!