Matthew Winters Park (Village Walk to “The Rock”)
Type … Hike, Woods Wander
Highlights … Views, Geological Features, Creek
Seasons … All Seasons - Recommend cooler months due to lack of shade
Difficulty with Kids … Easy to Moderate due to a few short steep sections
Trail Details … 1 Mile, Out and Back to “The Rock” (AllTrails)
Closest Town … Morrison or Golden
Shade … Not Much
Parking Situation … Plenty
Potty Situation … Pit toilets at trailhead
I’m always in search of places to hike with the kids during winter months when most of the higher alpine spots are snow-covered. This typically means going “down the hill” from Evergreen towards Golden / Boulder / Morrison. We used to come to Matthew Winters Park when the kids were babies because it’s the perfect woods wander, where you don’t need to make it any sort of distance to have fun.
About 200 yards from the trailhead is a wonderful creek with shaded picnic tables, the perfect spot to hang out after a hike along the trail. The trail from the main trailhead (Village Walk) has a bit of an incline to it but very quickly you are treated to sweeping views of what I call “Morrison Valley”. A great photo op!
If you keep straight on Village Walk for another 1/4-mile or so, you’ll reach a large rock on the right that’s fun for kids to climb and to hang for awhile. Honestly, we rarely make it past this point! Between playing in the creek, hitting a small section of the trail, and climbing “The Rock” we’ve spent multiple hours exploring this beautiful place!
TRAIL TIPS
Creek fun. If visiting the creek, bring an extra set of shoes and/or clothing for littles. There are picnic tables available so a blanket isn’t necessarily needed.
Lookout for Bikers. This is a common biking route so be aware when you are on the trail and playing near the rock (bikers often use the rock area to practice tricks if hikers aren’t there).
Be aware of snakes. As with most of this valley and surrounding areas, you are in rattlesnake territory. I’ve never seen one personally but have heard of sightings so just be aware.
MAKE A DAY OF IT
Morris + Mae Food Hall. Only about a 3-minute drive from the trailhead is Morris + Mae Food Hall. They have several food vendors and a little market/bar area which will make for a fun pit stop after your hike.
Ozzi’s Ice Cream. Or head towards Ozzi’s Ice Cream in Morrison - a quaint, old-school ice cream shop with a great outdoor patio.
The creek when the kids were littler :)
So green in the summer time
My cutie nephew on Village Walk
January on the trail
Views from "The Rock"
Hours of throwing rocks from "The Rock"