Aurora Reservoir Beach n’ Bike

Fun things to do with kids in and around Parker, CO.

My kids and I enjoy bicycling around the Stonegate neighborhood especially along Newlin Gulch down to Challenger Park, but we decided it was time to venture outside the neighborhood for a change of scenery. I had heard that there was a terrific kid friendly bike path looping around the Aurora Reservoir, so we packed up the car one morning and checked it out.

Also read A Fun Day With Kids at Waterton Canyon

Aurora Reservoir Bike riding

Aurora Reservoir is located off of E470 and Quincy Road and takes takes about 15 minutes to drive to from Parker. There is a $10 entry fee per vehicle to enter, but this gives you all day access to everything the park has to offer. And they offer a lot. Although our main focus was riding bikes, you can also fish (license required), swim, play on the beach area or the playground. They rent bikes if you didn’t bring your own and if you really want to get out on the water, you can rent pedal boats, fishing boats or even canoes and kayaks. We stuck around after our bike ride and made a day of it. So in addition to your bikes, pack swimsuits, flips flops, towels, beach toys and a big picnic lunch. If you forget the picnic, no worries as you can also purchase lunch from the full service concession stand located near the beach area.

The bike path is a wide, paved, 8-mile loop around the reservoir. I must admit that once my kids locked eyes on the water and beach, they were not as excited about riding all the way around the reservoir. Thankfully, beach time became their incentive to pedal faster and we rode the loop in just over an hour. This included several stops to catch our breath and re-hydrate. The loop is easy riding with some short hilly sections and some nice prairie views. We saw several water birds and even an antelope along the way. Although there are a couple covered picnic shelters and restrooms along the bike path, shade and protection from bad weather is limited once you are away from the marina/beach area. Keep that in mind before you start your ride. As always in Colorado, it’s best to go early in the day to beat the heat, the crowds and those pesky afternoon thunderstorms.

Aurora Reservoir Beach Area Swimming

We will definitely go back to Aurora Reservoir later this summer, but will skip the bike ride this next round since my kids have grand visions for a sand castle complex at the beach.

Aurora Reservoir information.

This awesome guest post was written by my good friend and neighbor Chrisy Schulz.