Our absolute favorite park in the Arvada area, Majestic View Park, hosts 80 acres of trails, a large playground, basketball and tennis courts, and Arvada’s very own nature center, Majestic View Nature Center.
We love spending an entire afternoon here! We usually start at the playground, where I let the kids climb, jump, and play tag (and, I’ll have to admit, sometimes I’ll even bring a laptop and park myself to work at one of the picnic tables if it’s open).
We’ll spend an hour or so walking the paved and gravel trails around Oberon Lake, looking for the resident crane and other birds and waterfowl. The trail behind the nature center goes behind the opposite side of the lake from the playground and offers a beautiful view of the park from a memorial bench placed there. The trail does not loop, so be prepared to walk back!
Majestic View Park Arvada Hours
The park is open from dawn to dusk.
Majestic View Park Amenities
Toilets: Yes – One portable vault toilet
Picnic Tables: One
Benches: Yes
Pavilion: No
Parking: Ample free parking
Walking Trails (paved): Yes
Hiking Trails (gravel or dirt): Yes
Dogs Allowed: Yes, on leash
Tennis Courts: Yes, reservable on
Basketball Courts: Yes
Majestic View Nature Center in Arvada, Colorado
Yes! Arvada has our own educational nature center! A favorite for local field trips, parents with children from toddler to elementary and upper-elementary school ages, the Majestic View Nature Center has a number of unique displays and exhibits to teach families all about our local wildlife and ecosystem.
Bring a picnic to enjoy on the outdoor picnic tables, or simply stop by for a take-home packet of family-friendly activities to do in your own backyard. This is a great place to beat the heat on a summer afternoon after making the trek on the paved walking trail from the playground parking lot. There is also ample parking right outside the nature center.
Majestic View Nature Center Hours
Open Tuesday-Friday from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm.
Closed Saturday (except for scheduled programs), Sunday, and Monday.
Visit the Majestic View Nature Center website for updated hours.
Events at the Majestic View Nature Center in Arvada
The nature center offers book club meet-ups for adults to toddlers’ nature walks and everything in between!
Our favorite events and courses have included:
Midday Meditation in Nature
Birding for Everyone
Navigation Skills for Families
Garden Workshops
Astronomy Nights
Nature Playdates
Nature Journaling for Kids
Nature Crafts
Important note: Entrance and parking at the Majestic View Nature Center is free, and there are many free programs to enjoy. However, some select programming does require a small registration fee between $5-$25.
Be sure to check out their calendar for the most updated Majestic View Nature Center programming. For events that require registration, you can do so on Arvada’s Civic Rec site. (It’s a little tricky to figure out — just find the subtitle “Nature Center Programs,” select your category, and find the program you’d like to register for.)
Wildlife at the Majestic View Nature Center and Park
There are a number of spots around the Nature Center and in the Park that are designated as protected wildlife spaces. It’s important not to disturb the grasses, shrubs, and animals in these areas. Learn more about how wildlife travels through the area at the nature center!
According to the Majestic View Nature Center page, the following wildlife has been spotted in the park!
Elk (very rare!)
Deer
Coyote (as recent as Spring 2024)
Bobcat
Black Bear (scat only)
Raccoon
Porcupine (rare)
Skunk
Fox Squirrel
Cottontail Rabbit
Carp
Bullfrog
Red-eared Slider Turtle
Western Painted Turtle
Muskrat
Monarch butterfly
Bats
Garter Snakes
Red fox
Ground squirrel
Mink
Woodhouse Toad
Ornate Box Turtle
Bullsnake
Black Bullhead Catfish
Bluegill
Snapping Turtle
Vole
Dagger Moth Caterpillar
Mountain Lion (very rare)
Plus, over 130 different species of birds!
The “Oberon Classroom” Project at the Majestic View Nature Center in Arvada, CO
Big news! The City of Arvada is replacing the current yellow house on the property with a new classroom space! The project is currently in the development and construction design and scoping phase. This phase centers on environmental impact, resilience, well-being, inclusion, and sustainability, as well as beginning the demolition of some of the current existing structure.
In the Summer of 2024, Phase 3 begins! Fundraising is essential during this phase to ensure all the planned programming can take place and we can make this an incredible community space for generations to come.
Donations can be made directly to the Majestic View Nature Center here!
Volunteering at the Majestic View Nature Center
If you’re interested in supporting the community efforts by teaching programming, leading activities, working in the garden, and more, read on! Volunteers must be age 13 or over, submit to a background check and interview, and meet other specific requirements listed here.
Looking for a family-friendly nature adventure near Arvada? We highly recommend a private tour of Rocky Mountain National Park! Just an hour-and-a-half to two-hour drive from Arvada, RMNP is a can’t-miss adventure, especially in the summer! Book your tour now!
Hi there! I'm Carly.
We love to travel, explore, and meet new people, so we're here to help you find the best Arvada has to offer!
— Carly