Matthew Winters Park
Type … Hike, Woods Wander
Highlights … Views, Geological Features, Creek
Seasons … All Seasons (Recommend cooler months)
Difficulty with Kids … Easy/Moderate
Trail Details … I would wander Village Walk Trail (AllTrails)
Closest Town … Morrison or Golden
Shade … Not Much
Parking Situation … Plenty
Potty Situation … Pit toilets at trailhead
Stroller friendly?… Nope
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 100 yards from the trailhead is a wonderful creek with plenty of 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 but very quickly you are treated to sweeping views of what I call “Morrison Valley” where you can see Red Rocks Amphitheater in the distance. A great photo op!
If you keep straight on Village Walk for another .25 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 a 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 (from the tracks, it looks like 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.
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"