Evergreen has an abundance of things to do and that is one of the things that most attracted me to moving to Evergreen back in 2012. Whether you live in Evergreen or you are looking to visit Evergreen for the day, I have prepared an exciting list of things to do in Evergreen that will help you experience Evergreen to its fullest. Evergreen is located in the mountains just 25 minutes from Denver and is truly an outdoor playground submersed in beauty and nature.

Is Evergreen, CO Worth Visiting?

Is Evergreen, CO, worth visiting? As a resident, my enthusiastic response is yes – Evergreen is a tranquil sanctuary in the Rockies, boasting diverse outdoor pursuits from hiking vibrant trails to experiencing tranquility by a crystal-clear lake.gb

Evergreen Lake is the central hub of Evergreen and is the epicenter of many fun activities you can find in Evergreen. Depending on the season there are many different activities you can partake in. Evergreen Lake is a 40 acre lake with one acre park with picnic tables and grills available to the public.

Address: 29612 Upper Bear Creek Rd, Evergreen CO 80439

Phone: 720-880-1300

Taking a stroll around Evergreen lake is a must do, and a great way to immerse yourself in the beauty of nature and get some exercise at the same time. Evergreen Lake is a popular destination for locals to walk / run around the 1.5 mile lake and as a destination point to visit with friends. One of my favorite things about the lake is the abundance of nature. If you visit early in the morning you are likely to encounter deer and Elk playing in the water. There is also a wide variety of birds that inhabit the lake or that migrate to Evergreen Lake depending on the time of year. The Audubon Society maintains a bird viewing chart on the West side of the lake. I have seen eagles, cranes, cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Goose, Mallard Duck, Red Tailed Hawk, Hummingbird to name a few. In total there are over 162 species of birds that have been spotted at Evergreen Lake over the last 9 years. Other animals you may see at the lake are muskrat swimming in the Lake and an occasional moose.

2. Evergreen Nature Center at Evergreen Lake

The Evergreen Nature Center is located at the east end of Old Town Evergreen next to the Church of the Transfiguration on the Bear Creek (27640 Highway 74). It is open all-year round, but the days and hours vary by season, so call before you head over. It features a Touch Table where kids can feel real animal fur and antlers, and a room devoted to kids, with animal costumes, and a kid-size birdhouse to crawl in. Adults can get information about the birds and animals that live in the area, and there’s even a resident snake, salamander, and newt for visitors to meet. The nature center displays a variety of fur pelts, footprint molds, and educational materials about plants and animals that inhabit the Evergreen wilderness area. It is a great educational experience for the entire family and plenty of fun things to do for kids. I highly recommend it. You can get more info by calling 303-330-0489.

3. Boating, Canoeing, & Paddleboarding at Evergreen Lake

Evergreen Lake is a great place to rent a boat, canoe or paddle board starting at $8 and get out on the water and enjoy the day. What a great experience for the family and it also makes for a fun and creative date that is sure to win you points in that category. Boating season begins May 5th and ends September 3rd each year and is open daily from 8am to 7am. You can bring your own boat/canoe, but no motorized watercraft is allowed on the lake. Note, after school starts you can only rent boats during the weekend. For more information, contact the boat house at 720-880-1300 or by visiting the Evergreen Lakehouse website.

4. Fishing at Evergreen Lake

A great way to enjoy an afternoon at Evergreen Lake is to bring a fishing pole, picnic and get your fishing on. Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Tiger Muskie are the most common species of fish. Both live bait and fishing lures are permitted. Keep in mind you must have a fishing license in order to to fish at the lake or any public place in Colorado. If you are in to fly fishing you can also visit many fishing holes along Upper & Lower Bear Creek.

5. Ice Skating & Ice Hockey at Evergreen Lake

During the Winter months (December to early March – Weather Permitting) Evergreen hosts the world’s largest outdoor Zamboni groomed ice skating rink. It was also named by CNN as one of the world’s most beautiful ice skating rinks. There are also 10 drop-in ice hockey rinks with hockey nets for your enjoyment. It is sure not to disappoint, so bring the family and enjoy the beauty Evergreen has to offer. Ice skates are available for rent at the Evergreen Lake House. Admission starts at $7 per person. You can also purchase season passes if you are a local to Evergreen.

Hours: Special hours on holidays (hours below begin early January)

Monday-Thursday, 3pm-7pm
Friday, 3pm-8pm;
Saturday, 8am-8pm
Sunday, 8am-7pm

6. Shopping & Dining In Downtown Evergreen

Downtown Evergreen is a great way to enjoy the mountain charm Evergreen has to offer. There are plenty of retail stores, art galleries, restaurants, entertainment, and coffee shops to partake in that are sure to delight. Many of them, like The Muddy Buck or Little Bear Saloon are in historical buildings full of charm that are fun to experience. Downtown Evergreen can also be the center of events like the Annual Rodeo Parade, Annual Dam Duck Derby, Halloween Walk and the Holiday Walk (Christmas).

7. Hiking & Mountain Biking

Evergreen has an abundance of open space parks that you can hike and mountain bike. These consist of 29 parks in and around Evergreen with over 54,000 acres of recreational space. It is a great opportunity to get outdoors, exercise and breathe in the fresh mountain air. The abundance of open space parks within minutes of my house is one of the greatest benefits of living in Evergreen. I get out hiking every chance I can. Below is a list of 10 open-space parks that are located directly in Evergreen for your recreation and enjoyment. I highly encourage you to explore our open space parks.

Alderfer Three Sisters Park
Dedisse Park
Elk Meadow Park
Evergreen Lake (Hiking & Fishing Only)
Lair O’ The Bear Park
Maxwell Falls Lower Trail
Maxwell Falls Upper Trail
Mount Falcon Park
O’Fallon Park (Hiking, Biking & Fishing)
Pence Park

8. Road Biking & Motorcycling

Bear Creek Canyon is a popular scenic route that is part of the Lariat Loop where you will often find road bikers climbing or ascending the winding road. Many road bikers and motorcyclists will climb Bear Creek Canyon to arrive in downtown Evergreen to partake in breakfast or a beverage before returning back to Denver via Bear Creek Canyon. Bear Creek Canyon Drive is famous for its awe inspiring granite cliffs, diverse vegetation, immense number of wildflowers, and roaring mountain streams that flank the road. The creek roars over huge boulders throughout the length of the drive creating small waterfalls and swirling pools of water.

9. Evergreen Annual Festivals & Events

Evergreen is a very active community that hosts a variety of different festivals throughout the year. I personally enjoy the diversity of different activities that are going on throughout the year. My personal favorite is the Evergreen Lake Summer Concert Series and the Holiday Walk. All of these activities make for a great opportunity to get out and see your neighbors and friends in the community and have some fun at the same time.

Oktoberfest
Jazz Festival
Big Chili Cook-off
Evergreen Fine Arts Festival
Halloween Walk
Holiday Walk
Evergreen Lake Summer Concert Series
Dam Duck Derby
Rodeo Parade
Heart of the Egg Scavenger Hunt
Evergreen Plunge
Skate The Lake

10. Evergreen Golf

Evergreen has two beautiful golf courses for you to enjoy. Evergreen Golf Course is the only public golf course. It is an 18 hole executive course (par 69) equipped with a putting green, pro shop and Keys On The Green Restaurant. Evergreen Golf Course is comprised of rolling mountain hills and fairways lined with pine trees that flank Evergreen Lake that make this a great golf escape from the city. Elk sightings are common which add to the excitement. Pro shop phone number: 720-865-3430. The second golf course located in Evergreen is the Hiwan Golf Club, which is a private course. Get your clubs out today and go golfing in Evergreen.

11. Bonus – Skiing at Echo Mountain Resort

Yes, I said skiing in Evergreen. Evergreen has its own ski resort. Echo Mountain is the closest ski mountain to downtown Denver, clocking in at just 35 miles and 50 minutes. Echo Mountain is also one of the few resorts in the state to offer night skiing. Echo mountain has one of the more affordable season ski passes with adults passes at $249 and children (60-12) $149. The resort produces annual snowfall at 275 inches and a top elevation of 10,650 ft. Echo Mountain covers over 60 acres and also has a terrain park. The resort is open from Nov. 23, 2018 to Apr. 14, 2019. If you are into Skiing or snowboarding, come visit Echo Ski Resort and enjoy the Winter fun!

Now you have my personal recommendations for the top 10 things to do in Evergreen Colorado. This list is perfect for the weekend warrior who is visiting Evergreen as well as the new local resident of Evergreen. There is plenty to explore in Evergreen and I encourage to visit and explore all that Evergreen has to offer.

Contact an Evergreen Colorado Real Estate Agent

Shad & Claudine Phillips – Certified Mountain Area Specialist 303-218-6926
Have Questions? – Text @ 214-682-2113 – No Really, I Don’t Mind!

To learn more about Evergreen Colorado homes for sale or to receive email notifications when homes are listed for sale in Evergreen Colorado, call 303-218-6926 or contact an Evergreen Colorado REALTOR®.