Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Lookout Mountain Nature Center

    4.8 (12 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 4:00 pm

    Lookout Mountain Nature Center Photos

    You might also consider

    More like Lookout Mountain Nature Center

    Recommended Reviews - Lookout Mountain Nature Center

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    David G.

    Beautiful Free attraction to visit. Friendly volunteer rangers. Supe comfy places to chill and gaze upon Denver.

    Sara N.

    I never knew this little park existed until I was looking for a place to take my troop not too far from the city. The staff was friendly and other than my girls shrieking on the path, it was a silent oasis in the metro area. This is close to the Buffalo Bill grave so if you are up here anyway, detour for an hour or so and give this place a try. And dogs are allowed both on the trail and inside the visitor center.

    Animal exhibit
    Leigh M.

    This is a great area to stop over just to get some Information about the surrounding area. There's some really cute areas for kids to interact with. There are furs, antlers, skulls and other items for kids to touch and feel. They have a small alcove as well with nature books, stuffed animals and other crafts to take part in. There's also a restroom on site and some short trails that are good for the little ones to take part in.

    So cold but so worth it
    Nicole F.

    Saturday, March 25th, 2023 We did the Lariat Loop Scenic Byway Scenic Overlook drive and one stop was the Lookout Mountain Nature Center Free private parking lot Walk/hike path Scenic views It was breathtakingly gorgeous and a very cold/windy day but very much worth it. We parked, bundled up, took a short walk, captured unforgettable photographs and simply sat on a bench taking in all the surrounding beauty and epic scenic views. We highly recommend the Lariat scenic root drive. One of the great things we did on our final day in Denver.

    Shelby G.

    Awesome little nature center at the top of the mountain. Inside, there are bathrooms, maps, binoculars, and information on the surrounding hiking trails. Use of the facility is free and the front desk is manned by a local nature expert.

    See all

    6 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of David G.
    226
    1070
    6842

    4 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 1

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Gina H.
    352
    726
    2456

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Ask the Community - Lookout Mountain Nature Center

    Is the mountain road leading to the nature center overwhelmingly scary? Narrow? Hard to maneuver?

    Nope, just steer clear of cyclists.

    View All 2 Questions

    Review Highlights - Lookout Mountain Nature Center

    You can't put a price on the view with the accessibility from Denver.

    Mentioned in 4 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Parks 4,965 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Mt. Galbraith Park

    Mt. Galbraith Park

    4.2
    (28 reviews)
    2.5 mi

    For its close proximity, you truly can't beat it. A 15 minute drive from my house is an absolute…read morewin. On a warm weekend, you probably won't score a spot at the parking lot. I'd say 25-30 spots? Keep in mind, this trailhead is POPPING. It's always busy, so know before you go. You can park at different places roadside, which will add to your hike total. The hiking trail is narrow, at times rocky, but mostly dirt. There are some nice views. If you're looking for a serene hike though, this definitely isn't it. I can't tell you the last time I encountered over 100 people on a hike. But again, it makes sense considering where it is. You get some nice views of the Great Divide and even the Coors brewery. There's not much shade, so sunscreen and a hat are a must. I'd probably do this hike again in the winter to avoid the crowds. It's one of the closest hikes to Denver and for the people who've never hiked a mountain I'm sure they'd love doing this one.

    I am from the flatlands of Texas lol. I am also a 11 time marathoner and this hike got me good! I…read morewas huffing and puffing all the way up! It was great! It felt like hiking 10 miles for hours, but was only 3 miles in one hour hahah. The only negative is there is no shade, so I got a really bad sunburn. I would give this a go again though! I will also say, we took a wrong turn at the loop and ended up going through a less traveled path. I'm not sure exactly where we went wrong but we ended up at the peak somehow. The trail was barely traveled on. It was strange. Either way a fun one!

    Photos
    Nightbird Gulch Trail | Instagram: @telephonesmoothie
    Nightbird Gulch Trail | Instagram: @telephonesmoothie
    Nightbird Gulch Trail | Instagram: @telephonesmoothie
    Nightbird Gulch Trail | Instagram: @telephonesmoothie
    Nightbird Gulch Trail | Instagram: @telephonesmoothie

    See all

    Nightbird Gulch Trail | Instagram: @telephonesmoothie
    Dinosaur Ridge

    Dinosaur Ridge

    4.2
    (194 reviews)
    4.2 mi

    Really neat and easy hike! The trail is completely paved and about 2 miles round trip, though a…read moregood portion is uphill, so you'll definitely get a little workout. It was really cool seeing the dinosaur fossils and footprints preserved in the rocks, and there are informational signs along the way explaining what you're looking at, which made it even more interesting. The trail is pet friendly, but there is very little shade, so it gets extremely hot during the day. Make sure the pavement isn't too hot for your dog's paws, and bring plenty of water for both you and your pup. We went during the day and were glad we came prepared. Overall, it's a unique stop that's definitely worth visiting, especially if you're interested in dinosaurs or looking for a short, easy hike with great history.

    My boyfriend and I came here after watching the sun rise at Red Rock Amphitheater! The hike here is…read moreA LOT of up but doable. You can also do the bus tour (it looked popular!) there is a gift shop and exhibit area. There are also several picnic tables here if you want to do lunch before the ridge. There is a parking lot or street parking. It was fun to see the Dino prints and Dino bones! You also get a nice view of the valleys and mountains around you at the top! Worth the stop, especially with kiddos! They would find this cool!

    Photos
    Instagram: @telephonesmoothie
    Instagram: @telephonesmoothie
    Instagram: @telephonesmoothie
    Instagram: @telephonesmoothie
    Instagram: @telephonesmoothie

    See all

    Instagram: @telephonesmoothie
    North Table Mountain Park

    North Table Mountain Park

    4.5
    (37 reviews)
    3.8 mi

    This is a Beautiful hike , about 8km round trip. It is a shared trail with bikes, so you need to be…read moreaware of bikers coming down or up the hill , but it was not a big deal. The views and wildlife opportunities are worth it and you get a workout to go along . Plenty of parking options at the beginning of the trail too.

    I went this past Sunday. I had previously visited early in the pandemic in June 2020. I walked…read morearound the Mesa in 3hrs recording 7 miles with dew people hiking. This time I went to Golden Cliffs trailhead on the south side. There were two trails (0.4 & 0.8 miles). The shorter looked more difficult indicating a steep climb to the rim. I chose the longer one. I was wrong. The 0.8 mile trail was less used and I had trouble finding the trail. I took several dead-ends that brought me to the base of the cliff for climbing routes using ropes & pitons. I eventually made the entire distance in 1.5 hrs. The trail map at the trailhead said most difficult and it was right. Once on top I took the North Table Loop trail 0.3 miles to Tilting Mesa trail. I hiked another 0.3 miles to Rim Rock trail (1.7 mile) which is a big loop going to the north rim. Weather was rolling in with heavier clouds and wind. On a clear day it would be hot. I took a video at the north rim at the 2nd highest spot on 6,551 ft. The highest is Lichen Peak at 6,552 ft. I finished the loop and headed back west. There are no restrooms/porta potties or water on the mesa top. So I descended to the west parking lot. The 0.4 mile segment is probably at 6-8% grade. I looked at the trail map. I could go back up to the top and negotiate the steeper route (0.4 miles) to the Golden Cliffs trailhead where I parked my car or take a circuitous trail (1.3 miles) along the west and south side. Very scenic and the trail was clearly visible. I startled a mule deer. So if your looking for a good hike, start on the west side and get to top for a level hike. Several trails go down the east side to access other trails including one that takes you to New Terrain Brewing.

    Photos
    Prickly, pear, cactus
    Prickly, pear, cactus
    North Table Mountain Park
    Flowers

    See all

    Flowers
    Red Rocks Park

    Red Rocks Park

    4.8
    (82 reviews)
    5.0 mi

    July 29-31, 2026 - Morrison, CO…read more A hike followed by lunch on the patio at the Ship Rock Grille is a great way to experience Red Rocks. Be sure to explore the amphitheater, and if you can fit a concert into your plans, don't miss it. It's an unforgettable experience. Just be prepared for Colorado's unpredictable weather. We arrived for the concert early and waited in the parking lot for the gates to open. It was sweltering, and everyone was dressed for the heat in shorts and tank tops. Once the gates opened and we made it through security, we were only a few minutes from entering the amphitheater when the skies opened up and it started pouring. Fortunately, we had packed lightweight rain jackets, so we stayed comfortable. Many others weren't as prepared and ended up soaked. The lesson? Do your research, check the forecast, but don't depend on it. Bring layers and rain gear, even if the day starts out hot. At Red Rocks, you can experience blazing sunshine and a thunderstorm within the same hour. But, it's absolutely worth every minute you spend here!

    This place is BEAUTIFUL! We went around brunch time, and it was an awesome site to see. I can only…read moreimagine how much more breath taking it is during sunset or sunrise. There is nothing more magnificent than seeing natural beauty created by our awesome God. The amphitheater was a sight to see. It's amazing that it was man made. There are a total of three marked hiking trails. We hiked the difficult and medium trails. They weren't that bad at all. The different elevation did make it tough at times, but what an accomplishment it felt when we finished. Also, the view along the way was great. So don't forget to stop and just look around! They also have an easy trail, which is nice, especially if you're taking small children. The visitor center was neat as well with some fun facts and history. There is also a Trading Post where you can purchase souvenirs. The shirts are crazy expensive, but if you shop in the clearance section, it is more affordable. If you're hungry, there is one restaurant there with reasonable prices, but of course more on the pricier side. However, I think it would add to the experience if you brought your own food and picnicked along the way or eat at the end. You can definitely spend a whole day here! It's great for a family outing, date, friends hang out, or even just to enjoy solo. I highly recommend visiting this place, especially if you're from out of town.

    Photos
    Red Rocks Park
    Red Rocks Park
    Beautiful rocks

    See all

    Beautiful rocks

    Lookout Mountain Nature Center - parks - Updated August 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...