Evergreen, Colorado is full of activities for every age. Families looking to keep kids entertained don’t have to go far to find fun adventures that both children and adults can enjoy. Thanks to the beautiful weather and welcoming community, most activities are free or inexpensive so there is something for every budget.

Whether visiting for a day, a week or if you live in this charming mountain town, you can find some family fun in the following list of activities.

Have a picnic at Evergreen Lake

In the heart of Evergreen is a beautiful mountain lake with picturesque picnic settings. After hiking the easy loop around the 40-acre lake children can continue to burn energy in the grassy park while viewing the local wildlife that frequents the area. Bird watchers will find an impressive array of species along the raised path through the marsh. And the local herd of elk love to visit the lake for a cool drink of water.

During the summer months, you can rent stand-up paddle boards, kayaks, and paddle boats for floating on the water. And in the winter there is ice skating on multiple rinks once the water freezes.

Both children and adults enjoy the view of the waterfall that cascades down the damn at the east end of the lake. The pool at the bottom is an excellent location for dipping your feet into the mountain water and splashing next to the ducks.

Bring your fishing gear for a chance to catch a trout. The lake is regularly stocked with beautiful Rainbow Trout and anglers have been known to catch massive fish from the pleasant lake-side fishing locations.

Visit the shops and restaurants on Main Street

A short walk from the Alpen Way Chalet you’ll find the charming shops, restaurants, and bars in downtown Evergreen. Start your day with an espresso and breakfast at one of the local coffee shops then browse the boutique stores. Kids will find souvenirs and toys at Evergreen Crafters and the Crystal Garden seems to mesmerize children with baskets of inexpensive crystals that they can sift through.

Most of the downtown restaurants are kid-friendly with a casual atmosphere. Campfire Evergreen is perfect for kids as it has outdoor seating, firepits, and a playground to enjoy. Or, try Beau Jos Pizza where you can have dinner or lunch overlooking the creek.

When the parents are ready for an adult beverage, Revival Brews has board games and a patio to keep the kids entertained. Then, you can finish off the day with a scoop of ice cream from Baskin Robbins. Kids love to take their sticky ice cream cones to the shady tree overlooking the creek next door.

Take a historical tour of the area

As discussed in a previous post, Evergreen has a rich history and some convenient locations to learn about the original settlers of the area. The Church of the Transfiguration is on a beautiful campus that dates back to the 1800s. Kids love to see the huge bell tower and play in the grassy meadow. There is also a fantastic nature center operated by the Evergreen Audubon Society next door to the church. Visitors can see wildlife up close and learn more about their surroundings. The “touch table” is a crowd-pleaser as children get a chance to feel animal fur and antlers as well as some live animals that reside at the center.

Visiting the Hiwan Heritage Park and Museum is another great family activity. Nestled in a grove of beautiful ponderosa trees, the historical property gives children a glimpse into life for the original homesteaders of Evergreen. There are free tours as well as a workbook of fun activities for kids to participate in.

Get Creative

Visitors of all ages can enjoy the art scene in Evergreen. You’ll likely notice the magnificent sculptures all around town. Thanks to the Center for the Arts Evergreen, you can download a map of the sculptures and tour the rotating exhibit that spreads across town. The same organization hosts events and art classes for all ages. Sign up for a drop-in class, or stop by the gallery to view the latest exhibition.

A great option for a hands-on activity is Go Paint pottery studio. Artists of all skill levels (even those who don’t consider themselves creative) have fun picking a piece of pottery and adding their own flair by painting it. Reservations aren’t required and in addition to painting pottery, grown-ups and kids can build fairy gardens.

Go for a hike and play at a playground

Known for beautiful scenery and outdoor activities, Evergreen is the perfect place to take a hike. There are countless options and some of our favorites are listed in a previous article. Alderfer Three Sisters is a short drive from the Alpen Way Chalet and has miles of trails ranging from easy loops to intense full-day summits. Those with small children might prefer the flat and open Bluebird Meadow off the West Trailhead and adventurous kids can climb the rocks along the Homestead Trail.

A classic playground with swings and slides is a surefire way to see a child’s face light up. Stagecoach Park is just off of Hwy 74 but feels a world away with a large playground that even includes musical instruments as well as baseball and soccer fields. Kittredge Park is a local favorite with all the playground equipment you would expect plus a small beachy area on the creek for cooling down on hot summer days.

The Alpen Way Chalet is a warm and welcoming lodge for families. We invite you to bring the kids and enjoy our mountain town.

There are multiple rooms, suites, and even a cabin to choose from so that families are comfortable and have all the amenities needed. The lodge is in a beautiful mountain setting with room to play and relax alongside Little Cub Creek and it is centrally located for quick access to all the activities in Evergreen. We hope to see you soon!