Looking for the best Fort Collins parks?
Situated in northern Colorado, Fort Collins is a vibrant city with plenty of outdoor activities and natural beauty.
Its location between the majestic Rocky Mountains and the Great Plains, make Fort Collins a paradise for outdoor lovers.
While the city is known for its vibrant downtown area and cultural attractions, there are also has many beautiful outdoor spaces in Fort Collins.
Fort Collins area parks offer stunning views of lush forests and mountain peaks.
Also Read: 26 Best Fort Collins attractions to visit now
Best Parks in Fort Collins, Colorado
Fort Collins is home to several parks ranging from community parks and neighborhood spaces to lush lawns and easy creekside trails.
Summer in Fort Collins is the best time to enjoy the city’s outdoor parks and playgrounds as well as to enjoy the amenities like tennis courts and dog parks.
Here are the best parks near Fort Collins to spend a day outdoors.
Fort Collins City Park
Fort Collins City Park is the perfect park to spend an afternoon in nature.
This large and sprawling park has abundant greenery and serene atmosphere.
Visitors can walk around the large beautiful lake and have a picnic on its shores.
Fishing in the lake and swimming in the park pool are also popular here.
The park has a large fun play ground with lots of climbing areas for kids.
The park also hosts many events in summer such as the Food Truck Rally which features live music, drinks, and great food.
The park is also a popular spot to watch the 4th July fireworks in Fort Collins.
The park looks pretty in autumn due to fall foliage and is the best park in Fort Collins for photo shoots.
In winter, you can enjoy cross country skiing and snow fun at the park.
You will also find several excellent Fort Collins coffee shops located near City Park.
The park is located close to many hotels in Fort Collins including the Elizabeth Hotel and the Armstrong Hotel, making it popular with tourists.
The park is located at 1500 W Mulberry St and is one of the best parks near Old Town.
Fossil Creek Park
Fossil Creek Park is a very scenic and serene multiuse park in Fort Collins, CO.
It is one of our family favorites when it comes to best parks in Fort Collins, Colorado.
The park has many sports fields including hockey courts, basketball court, baseball fields, and tennis courts.
The highlight of this park is a prehistoric themed playground.
Along with the prehistoric attractions, the park also has a skate park as well as splash park for kids.
The gated dog park is also very popular with doggo moms and dads.
The sheltered picnic areas are great to enjoy a meal outside with the family.
The park is located at 5821 S Lemay Ave.
Oak Street Plaza Splash Pad
While not a park, at Oak Street Plaza you will find the best Fort Collins splash pad!
The splash pad is surrounded by large shady trees and it is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
There is a seating area for adults and the water fountains are perfect for kids to dance their way through.
Oak Street Plaza Park is located at 119 W Oak St.
Spring Canyon Park
Spring Canyon Community Park in Fort Collins is a beautiful outdoor area with plenty of things to do.
From hiking trails that wind through the canyon to amenities like basketball courts and picnic tables, this park has it all.
Highlight of the park is Inspiration Playground, Fort Collins.
The Inspiration Playground play area provides a great place for kids to run around and explore, while the splash pad near the climbing structures is good for keeping cool in the summer.
The play area is also designed to be accessible for disabled children and allows them to play on the same equipment as everyone else – one of its kind feature amongst Ft Collins parks.
For those seeking adventure, the park also has numerous biking trails that offer up sweeping views of North Colorado’s countryside.
The park is located at 3156 S Overland Trail.
Twin Silo Park
Twin Silo Community Park is one-of-a kind and full of surprises!
The park is home to the tallest slide in Fort Collins—which extends between the two tall farm silo structures.
Wondering about the history of the silos?
This park in Fort Collins honors the agricultural heritage of the city and includes several other themed structures related to farming.
The park also has a BMX park, pickleball courts, and several miles of paved walking trails.
The Twin Silos BMX race track is very popular with families – read track details here.
The Twin Silo Park is also home to a dog park, where you can take your furry friends.
The community garden, bursting with colorful flowers, is perfect for taking a stroll in the spring and summer.
The park is located at 5564 Ziegler Rd, Fort Collins.
Old Town Square Splash Pad
Another great Fort Collins splash park!
This splash pad is located right in the heart of historic downtown and close to many attractions.
As a result, it is often crowded with tourists.
However, the area is large enough to accommodate several kids of all ages.
In the evenings, you can also see a light show at the splash park.
Sugar Beet Park
Sugar Beet Park has an interesting history and is one of the most unique parks in Fort Collins CO.
It is located in the same neighborhood as the Great Western Sugar Factory which operated in the early 19th century.
The park pays homage to the sugar beet industry which contributed to the early growth if Fort Collins.
This small park features a fun play area with a gigantic sugar beet play structure for kids.
This sugar beet previously used to be an exhibit at the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery and was later moved to the park.
Kids love the variety of unique play structures and the opportunity for free play at this park.
The park also has a zipline, picnic pavilion, walking trails, pollinator garden, and a basketball court.
The park is located at 607 9th St.
Troutman Park
Troutman Park is one of the oldest parks in Fort Collins, CO.
This park has an array of amenities including tennis courts, basketball court, walking trails over creeks and bridges, and a picnic pavilion.
Troutman Park also offers fishing opportunities at its small ponds which is stocked with catfish and trout.
You will also find squirrels, hares, duck, and geese at the pond.
The pond is also the perfect spot to observe various species of birds, some of which are rarely seen in other parts of Fort Collins.
The park has a few large playgrounds where kids can have fun while parents relax on a nearby bench.
The park is located at 500 W Troutman Pkwy.
Lee Martinez Community Park
Lee Martinez Community Park, managed by Fort Collins Parks System, is a great option for outdoor lovers.
The park includes plenty of beautiful paved trails that are perfect for walking, running, as well as biking.
The Poudre River trail also passes through the park.
It also has kids play area as well as sports fields.
The highlight here is the Farm at Lee Martinez Park!
At the farm, kids can interact with farm animals as well as enjoy pony rides.
The park is located at 600 N Sherwood St.
Poudre River Whitewater Park
Looking for hours of water fun?
Poudre River Whitewater Park, located near Old Town, is a great park for family outings.
In fact, it is one of the best parks in Northern Colorado for summer splashing.
You can enjoy activities like kayaking, tubing or paddle boarding in the river water.
The water is calm and good for families with small children.
The park does get full on weekends, best to reach early in summer.
The park is located at 201 E Vine Dr.
Rolland Moore Park
Rolland Moore Park is an often overlooked hidden gem in Fort Collins, Colorado.
This clean and awesome park has mountain views as well as lots of space to enjoy sports.
The park has tennis courts, baseball diamonds, as well as basketball courts.
The Spring Creek trail through the park is great for walking and hiking.
The park looks simply gorgeous in fall.
Rolland Moore Park is located at 2201 S Shields St.
Cottonwood Glen Park
Cottonwood Glen Park is a small park with plenty of open space, walking trails, and a fun kids play area.
You will also find picnic tables and grills perfect for a fun day out.
The park also has a small pond that attracts wildlife and birds year-round.
The pond is also popular for fishing and is a great place for kids to learn to fish.
The park is located at 3074 S Overland Trail.
Greenbriar Park
Greenbriar Park is a small and lovely neighborhood park that has several amenities for all ages.
The park is a great place for families, especially in the summer.
It has huge grass fields for a variety of sports activities and lots of shady trees for picnicking.
The newly renovated playground area is very popular with kids.
The small pond often has geese and ducks and is very serene.
The park is also popular to visit in winter.
The park is located at 730 E Willox Ln.
Avery Park
Avery Park is a fun neighborhood park with play areas, picnic tables, and clean bathrooms.
City of Fort Collins has also provided other amenities such as grills, water fountains, and bike stations.
A little creek runs through the park and it is popular for kids to play – nature’s own splash pad, Fort Collins!
You can even catch crawfish in the stream!
The park is located at 1101 Castlerock Dr.
Spring Park
Looking for one of the less crowded parks, Fort Collins, CO? Try Spring Park!
Spring Park is a nice park with decent sized play areas, picnic tables, and clean restrooms.
It also has baseball fields and well managed walking trails.
The park has plenty of large shady trees and is great place to spend time outside.
The park also has a creek running next to the Spring Creek trail.
The park also has a big hill which is popular for sledding and snow tubing in winter.
The park is located at 2100 Matthews St.
Looking for more ideas to spend time outdoors near Fort Collins? Looking for national and state parks near Fort Collins CO?
Read our post on 20 Best Day Trips from Fort Collins to read about Cache la Poudre River Canyon and Lory State Park.
Fort Collins CO parks are some of the most beautiful in the Centennial State.
From the popular Spring Canyon Community Park filled with activities for all ages to the prehistoric Fossil Creek Park, these parks are perfect for a relaxing day enjoying the city’s green spaces.
The outdoor time enables children to appreciate nature and take responsibility for the environment, which develops them into healthy well-adjusted adults.
Which are your favorite parks in Fort Collins, Colorado? Where are the best playgrounds in Fort Collins? Let us know below.