Cheesman Park

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Parks

Colorado

Nearby: Denver Botanic Garden Sculpture Garden James N. Manley Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Cheesman Park is a popular urban park located in Denver, Colorado.

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Summary

It is one of the largest parks in the city and offers visitors a variety of recreational opportunities.

There are several good reasons to visit Cheesman Park. One of the main draws is its stunning views of the Rocky Mountains. The park is situated on a hilltop, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Additionally, the park is home to a number of historical landmarks and cultural institutions, including the Denver Botanic Gardens and the Denver Art Museum.

Some specific points of interest within the park include the Cheesman Park Pavilion, which is a popular spot for weddings and other events, and the Walter Scott Cheesman Memorial, which honors the park's namesake. Visitors can also explore the park's many walking trails, which wind through fields of wildflowers and around the park's two lakes.

One interesting fact about Cheesman Park is that it was once the site of a cemetery. In the late 1800s, the city of Denver decided to convert the cemetery into a park, and many of the bodies were exhumed and moved to other locations. However, it is rumored that some of the bodies were never actually moved, and that the park may be haunted as a result.

The best time of year to visit Cheesman Park is during the spring and summer months, when the flowers are in full bloom and the weather is mild. However, the park is open year-round, and visitors can enjoy winter activities such as ice skating and sledding during the colder months.

Overall, Cheesman Park is a beautiful and historic destination that offers something for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful stroll through nature or an afternoon of cultural exploration, this park is definitely worth a visit.

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.

Related References