FunKidsActivities

High Line Canal Trail

Denver, CO 80224, USA

Overview

Category:Hiking with Kids
Location:Denver, CO

Expert Summary

Detailed Insights

The High Line Canal Trail is a long, picturesque natural trail (with segments referenced up to 71 miles) offering abundant natural beauty, including wonderful trees, diverse birds, and beautiful mountain views. It features specific amenities like playgrounds and notable areas such as Long's Pine Grove, making it suitable for families. There are frequent opportunities for wildlife spotting, including bunnies, deer, snakes, and even coyote prints in the snow. Despite concerns about signage and some amenity shortcomings, many sections are described as 'incredible and absolutely worth traveling.'

Key Highlights

  • Beautiful natural scenery with wonderful trees and a 'country lane' feel.
  • Features playgrounds, making it suitable for families with children.
  • Offers beautiful mountain views along the way.
  • Excellent opportunities for wildlife spotting, including birds, snakes, bunnies, deer, and coyote (especially prints in snow).
  • Long's Pine Grove is a noted nice area for kids and pets.

Standout Features

  • Dedicated playgrounds for children.
  • Stunning mountain views and diverse natural scenery.
  • Specific points of interest like Long's Pine Grove.
  • Rich wildlife presence, offering an engaging experience for kids.
  • The overall 'beautiful' and 'incredible' natural aspects of the trail.

Perfect For

Suitable for children due to the presence of playgrounds and opportunities for wildlife viewing. Long's Pine Grove is specifically mentioned as a 'nice area with kids'.

Ideal For

Families seeking a scenic hike or leisurely walk in nature.
Parents looking for a trail with play areas for younger children.
Wildlife enthusiasts and those who enjoy nature photography.
Dog owners who are responsible and willing to pick up after their pets.
Anyone looking for a natural escape with a 'country lane' feel.

💡Pro Tips from Reviews

  • Plan restroom breaks in advance as facilities are seasonal.
  • Bring your own trash bags to pack out any waste due to limited trash cans.
  • Exercise caution and watch your step for dog waste on the trail.
  • Consider visiting during snowy conditions for an enhanced wildlife tracking experience (animal prints).
  • Bring a map or use GPS, especially if exploring the north end (around mile 71) or other poorly signed sections.
  • Avoid visiting after dark due to the lack of lighting.

Things to Consider

  • Lack of sufficient trash cans, requiring visitors to pack out their own waste.
  • Lack of adequate lighting, potentially making it unsafe or difficult to navigate after dark.
  • Restrooms are seasonal, which can be an inconvenience.
  • Numerous dog owners do not pick up after their pets, leading to unsanitary conditions on parts of the trail.
  • Poor signage, especially at the north end (around mile 71) where it's not signed for 1-2 miles, and at other random turns.

Price & Value

Not mentioned in reviews.

Accessibility & Special Needs

  • No specific accommodations mentioned.

🍎Food & Drink Policy

  • Not explicitly stated, but the lack of trash cans implies a 'pack it in, pack it out' policy for food and drink.

🚗Parking Info

  • Not mentioned in reviews.

👥Crowd Levels

  • Not mentioned in reviews.

🛡️Safety Features

  • Lack of adequate lighting is a reported concern for safety, particularly after dark. No other safety features were highlighted.

When to Avoid

  • Families requiring readily available and year-round restroom facilities.
  • Visitors who are sensitive to pet waste or unsanitary conditions on trails.
  • Those who rely heavily on clear signage for navigation.
  • Visiting after dark due to reported lack of lighting.
  • If you forget a means to dispose of trash.

What People Say

What's Great

  • Spacious play areas (mentioned in 2 reviews)

Recent Reviews

Karen Kropp

Karen Kropp

3 months ago

What a beautiful trail. Wonderful trees, birds and playgrounds.

Joel H

Joel H

6 months ago

Fantastic trail with a feel of a country lane. Beautiful mountain views along the way.

zainab almadhlouh

zainab almadhlouh

4 years ago

It’s nice trail. I just wish if there is some more trash cans and lighting. Long's Pine Grove is along the trail. Nice area with kids and pets. The only issue with area is the restrooms (seasonal).

Nicolas Gohmert

Nicolas Gohmert

4 years ago

Lovely trail that I lived near the 47 mile mark. Covered in snow you will find hundreds of prints of animals roaming around. So far we have seen snakes, bunnies, deer and once even a coyote. I have to take one star off due to the many dog owners who simply don't pick up after their pets. There are places you would rather float across the grass

Caleb S.

Caleb S.

8 months ago

This is a nice trail, but the signage leaves a ton to be desired. The north end of the trail if you go to mile 71 is not signed at all for the last 1-2 miles. Additionally, in other places the trail randomly turns with no signs. That said… this is a beautiful trail and is absolutely worth traveling. The good parts are incredible and absolutely worth it.

Contact Information

Denver, CO 80224, USA

View on Google Maps

Opening Hours

Monday: 5:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Tuesday: 5:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Wednesday: 5:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Thursday: 5:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Friday: 5:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Saturday: 5:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Sunday: 5:00 AM – 11:00 PM

Quick Stats

Overall Rating
4.7
Total Reviews139
Recent Reviews5