I’m a Kentucky girl raising my family in the Colorado foothills, and summer is one of the reasons I love living here. There are lake days, beautiful parks, outdoor concerts, farmers markets, and little downtowns where you can happily spend an afternoon wandering.

In the foothills, enjoying the outdoors is a must. That doesn’t mean you need to climb a mountain or own an intimidating amount of hiking gear. Go fishing, paddle around a lake, take a walk, or pack a picnic and enjoy the view. Some days we’re kayaking; other days we’re roasting marshmallows. It all counts.

Another thing I appreciate: in my experience, there are fewer bugs to deal with than back home in Kentucky. Not zero—mosquitoes still manage to find the gathering—but I’ll gladly take fewer uninvited guests at the picnic.

Whether you’re visiting or looking for somewhere new to spend a weekend, here are summer outings around Evergreen, Morrison, Golden, Boulder, and Lyons, plus two family favorites near Pine and Bailey.

Evergreen Lake: Fishing, Paddling, and Water That Missed the Summer Memo

Evergreen Lake is a lovely place to spend a summer morning. Walk beside the water, go fishing, or get out in a kayak or on a paddleboard during boating season.

The lake is stocked with trout. Before casting a line, check the current fishing regulations and applicable Colorado fishing-license requirements. For boating, check Evergreen Park & Recreation District’s seasonal hours and rental availability.

Swimming isn’t allowed in Evergreen Lake, including for dogs. Life jackets are required for boaters and paddleboarders.

Below the dam near downtown, there’s a small area along Bear Creek where people cool off in the water. On warm days, it usually has plenty of people, so don’t expect a spot all to yourself. Follow posted signs and check conditions before entering the creek.

And the water? Still very much Colorado cold. The sunshine may suggest tropical vacation, but the water will correct that misunderstanding immediately.

Leave time afterward for lunch and exploring downtown Evergreen. A lake outing followed by food is a complete plan. You do not have to add six more activities to justify leaving the house.

Staunton State Park: Where Our Family Goes Fishing

My family goes fishing at Staunton State Park in Pine, Colorado. If you’re unfamiliar with it, this park has grassy meadows, impressive granite cliffs, hiking trails, and designated fishing areas, including Davis Ponds.

It’s a place to consider when you want time outdoors without making the entire day about covering miles. Bring your fishing gear, pack a picnic, and give yourself time to enjoy being there.

Check the park’s entrance-pass and fishing requirements before visiting. Catching a fish isn’t guaranteed. Somebody asking when we’re eating absolutely is.

Wellington Lake: Our Annual Camping Tradition

A little farther into the mountains near Bailey, Wellington Lake is a summer tradition for our family. We camp there every year, and it’s something we look forward to.

Sometimes we go just for the day. We swim in the cold water, kayak, and spend time together by the lake. When fires are permitted and there isn’t a fire ban, we cook hot dogs over the fire pit and roast marshmallows.

Nothing particularly complicated. Just a really fun summer day.

The water is cold enough to make you reconsider your enthusiasm on the way in. Somehow, we keep getting back in. Apparently, the memory of being cold wears off faster than you’d think.

Bring a jacket—even in summer. Wellington Lake is higher in elevation, and once the sun goes down, it gets chilly. Spending the afternoon in a swimsuit does not mean you’ll be comfortable sitting around in one that evening.

Check current day-use arrangements, camping availability, and fire restrictions before heading out. Then pack the warm layer. You’ll want it when it’s time for marshmallows.

Morrison: Dinosaurs and the Most Amazing Concert Venue

Morrison has two big reasons to visit: Dinosaur Ridge and Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

At Dinosaur Ridge, you can explore dinosaur tracks and fossil sites, with guided tours available. Check the current tour options before visiting. It’s an outing with something specific to discover, which can be a much easier sell to kids than “we’re going to walk around and appreciate things.”

Then there’s Red Rocks.

As far as I’m concerned, there is no more amazing concert venue. The enormous rock formations, open sky, and live music make it something special. If you can work a concert into your summer plans, this is the place I’d make room for.

You can also visit the park without concert tickets. Check public access before going, because events affect amphitheatre availability. The surrounding trails offer another way to enjoy the scenery.

Leave time to explore Morrison and get something to eat. And bring a layer for an evening show. Yes, again. My commitment to not being cold is very consistent.

Beautiful Parks—and Other People Who Also Discovered Them

There are so many beautiful parks in the foothills. Unfortunately, they are not a secret.

Summer weekends can get busy. An early start or weekday visit can help, and having a backup plan is better than spending your morning circling a parking lot while everyone’s enthusiasm slowly leaves the vehicle.

Alderfer/Three Sisters Park in Evergreen and Lair o’ the Bear Park along Bear Creek Canyon are two options to explore. Check official trail maps and current park notices, then choose a route that fits your group. Lair o’ the Bear also has picnic areas near the creek.

You don’t need to choose the longest trail. A shorter walk that everyone enjoys beats an uphill family argument disguised as recreation.

Stay on designated trails, use proper parking areas, and take your trash with you. These places are beautiful because they’re worth taking care of.

Golden: Tubing, Creekside Walks, and Time Around Town

For a summer water outing, look into tubing Clear Creek in Golden.

Check the current creek status, restrictions, and conditions before going. Water levels can change the experience considerably, and high water can lead to closures. A local outfitter can help with equipment and guidance; a properly fitted life jacket and helmet are recommended for tubing.

This is moving creek water, not the lazy river at a resort. Plan accordingly.

You can also enjoy the Clear Creek Trail without getting in the water, then spend time exploring downtown or stopping for food. Golden has local breweries to consider once the water activities are finished.

The dry option is available for those of us who prefer to retain feeling in our toes.

Boulder: Farmers Markets, Pearl Street, and Plenty Beyond CU

Boulder is home to the University of Colorado Boulder, usually called CU Boulder, but you don’t need a game on the calendar to find something to do.

Start with the Boulder Farmers Market. Browse local produce and food vendors, enjoy the atmosphere, and give yourself time to explore. Check the current Saturday and seasonal Wednesday market schedules before visiting.

Bring reusable bags and reasonable expectations about your self-control. “We’re just looking” gets less convincing every time something smells delicious.

Next, consider Pearl Street Mall, the outdoor pedestrian district with shops, restaurants, bookstores, and street performers. It’s a good option for an afternoon that doesn’t require hiking boots.

For something different, visit the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse, an intricately decorated teahouse gifted by Boulder’s sister city in Tajikistan. Stop for tea or a meal and take time to appreciate the building itself.

If you want more outdoor time, Chautauqua offers Flatirons views and hiking trails. Check parking and seasonal shuttle information before going, and choose a route that matches your group’s energy.

Boulder Reservoir is another option for a summer beach outing. Swimming is permitted in the designated swimming area during operating hours; check current access, fees, and conditions before visiting.

For an indoor change of pace, Fiske Planetarium on CU’s campus offers public astronomy programs, films, and music-and-light shows. Boulder also has breweries to explore, including Avery and Upslope, and seasonal outdoor music such as Bands on the Bricks.

You could easily make several different days out of Boulder. There is no need to cram all of this into one afternoon like you’re being graded.

Lyons: River Tubing, Picnics, and Live Music

North of Boulder, Lyons is another foothills town to put on your summer list. You can plan a day around the river, spend time at a park, or visit for live music.

One of its summer draws is tubing the St. Vrain at LaVern M. Johnson Park. The town lists a local outfitter for tube rentals and safety equipment. Check water conditions, closures, and participation requirements before going, and follow the outfitter’s guidance about routes and equipment.

LaVern M. Johnson Park also has picnic areas, playgrounds, a splash pad, and camping. You can spend time at the park and explore downtown afterward. Check reservations and event-related access before visiting.

Lyons is also home to Planet Bluegrass, which hosts RockyGrass and the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival. If outdoor music sounds like your kind of summer, check the calendars and ticket availability.

Festival weekends deserve advance planning. Small town does not automatically mean small crowds, and casually showing up sounds much better before you’re looking for parking.

What to Bring for a Summer Day in the Foothills

You don’t need an expedition’s worth of supplies for a picnic, but a few basics make the day easier:

• Water and snacks. Especially with kids. Hunger can change the entire mood of an outing.
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. A cool morning doesn’t mean you won’t need them.
• A jacket or warm layer. Particularly if you’ll be out after sunset or heading higher in elevation.
• Rain protection. Check the forecast and prepare for changing weather.
• Shoes suited to your plans. Choose for the trail or water activity you’re actually doing.
• Towels and dry clothes. Being wet is one thing. Riding home wet is another.
• A downloaded trail map. Useful when hiking is on the agenda.

Summer thunderstorms can develop by late morning or afternoon in the mountains. Plan around the forecast, and if you hear thunder, head to a substantial building or an enclosed vehicle.

What I love about summer here is the variety. We can go fishing, camp at Wellington Lake, spend a day on the water, or explore somewhere we haven’t gotten to know yet.

You don’t need an exhausting itinerary to have a memorable day. Sometimes a lake, a picnic, and a bag of marshmallows are plenty.

Bring your jacket, leave room for lunch, and remember that somebody is going to need a snack.

It might be me.