Colorado is a great place to be when the weather warms up and you feel the urge to get outside. One favorite way to grab some fresh air is to have a picnic and enjoy a meal surrounded by nature, taking in the beautiful landscape and listening to the wind blow through the trees as birds chirp in the distance. Whether you are from the area or just visiting, you’ll be happy to find some quality locations to enjoy a meal outside. Here is our list of the top great spots to have a picnic and get out into nature in the Lone Tree, Colorado, area. 

Bluffs Regional Park and Trail 

Picnic Table by Paul Sableman is licensed with CC BY 2.0

A local favorite spot to picnic is Bluffs Regional Park and Trail. This prime location has everything a nature lover and picnic-loving person could hope for. Here you’ll find the colorful Colorado sunsets, or sunrises, in all their glory. Guests can marvel at the Denver metro area view and see how the city has changed and expanded. You’ll also find many plants native to the area and wildlife that call Colorado home. 

You can plan an entire day to hike out there using the 3.25 mile soft-surface trail. This moderately easy trail includes some hills, a small 200-foot elevation gain, and a great experience to take in the Colorado landscape. There is also a picnic shelter where you can enjoy a quick meal after your hike. While there is no electricity, a small portable restroom is available just in case. 

• Location: 10099 Crooked Stick Trail, Lone Tree. 
• Hours: One hour before sunrise and one hour after sunset. 
• Contact: 720-733-6990.

Centennial Center Park

Centennial Center Park is an 11-acre location near the Centennial Civic Center. This award-winning park first opened in 2012 and has since become a local favorite for Colorado residents. There are many activities to take part in as well as permanent park displays that showcase Colorado at its best. If you’re trying to show the kids a good time and want to be frugal, this is the place to go. There is an amphitheater, bicycle racks, a playground, and paved and unpaved trails. Take the bikes with you and ride along the trails before you stop and enjoy a meal at one of the many picnic tables. 

You can opt to have a simple sandwich lunch or make a whole day of your adventure, pack some burger patties and hotdogs, and grill your meal on one of the park barbecue grills. You and your children don’t have to worry about batteries running low on phones and other electronic devices because electrical power is available. 

While you digest, visit the main plaza to see the historical timeline of the Cherry Creek Basin and learn some fun facts about the Cherry Creek Watershed. Challenge the kids with the Viewfinder Walk, an interactive trivia challenge that takes guests through the park and teaches some interesting facts about our area. 

• Location: 13050 E. Peakview Ave., Centennial. 
• Hours: from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Nov. 1 through April 30, and from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. May 1 through Oct. 31. 
• Contact: 303-325-8000.

Bill Goodspeed Happy Tails Dog Park

Use your picnic outing as an opportunity to bond with the family furball as well. The Bill Goodspeed Happy Tails Dog Park is the only off-leash park in Northglenn and has become an asset to the community since it was established in 2003. The park is slightly over 10 acres and features a unique sculpture of a dog, called My Buddy. Take your four-legged companion on a walk or let them roam off-leash in the fenced area. There is water and some shaded structures to keep you cool. 

After your adventure, head to one of the two the picnic tables and enjoy a calm lunch from your favorite picnic basket. You can also grill something fresh on one of the barbecue grills. Just be sure to remember to pack Fido a few treats as well. The sentiment will be greatly appreciated and rewarded with licks. After lunch, let the kids play on the playground to work off any extra energy. 

• Location: 10824 Leroy Drive, Northglenn. 
• Hours: Sunrise to sunset.
• Contact: 303-280-7821.

Mountain Whitewater and Paddler’s Pub

For a different picnicking experience, visit Mountain Whitewater and Paddler’s Pub. For the outdoor enthusiast and rafting-obsessed, this is a must-visit. The rafting company has created an on-site pub and a family-friendly fun center where kids and adults alike can have fun playing and enjoying outdoor recreation. Even if you don’t want to raft, you can enjoy the beautiful views of the foothills, take part in a game of sand volleyball, play cornhole, try your skills at giant Jenga, or challenge a friend to giant Connect 4. 

Another good thing about this location is you don’t necessarily have to pack a picnic basket to enjoy a yummy meal. There are often food trucks onsite with a selection of some of Colorado’s best foods. A selection of light snacks is available for purchase from the pub, and the full delivery menu from LaPorte Pizza is also an option for hungry bellies. 

• Location: 1329 N. Highway 287, Fort Collins. 
• Hours: from 2 to 8 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, and from 2 to 11 p.m. from Friday through Sunday. 
• Contact: 970-419-0917.

So there you have it. Crème de la Crème of Lone Tree has just shared with you our list of the top places to have a picnic around Lone Tree. Whether you’re just stopping for a short lunch to get some fresh air in the great outdoors or are making a day of it and spending several hours admiring the landscape, these locations all have some unique offerings and provide a phenomenal experience. What do you think of our list? Did we mention a new spot for your next picnic in Colorado?

While you decide where to spend your next afternoon outdoors, consider Crème de la Crème of Lone Tree for your future child care needs. We have programs designed for before or after school care, daily day care needs, and even summer camps. Your outdoor-loving children will appreciate the water park, tennis court, baseball diamond, and koi pond. Call our staff at 773-309-4953 to schedule a tour of our facility and learn why this is the right place for your child.