Our beloved Mile High City boasts thousands of acres of urban and mountain parks that are perfectly sublime for strolling, reading, picnicking, people watching, and lounging. The air is getting crisp, trees are beginning to flaunt their foliage, and now is the time for you to find your serene spot in nature around Denver where you can reset, recharge, and enjoy a bit of respite. Here are 14 prime locations to experience your daily moment of zen.

1. City Park

With its 330 luxurious acres, City Park is Denver's largest and most well known urban green space. This time of year it begins to burst with yellows, oranges, and reds and is the perfect setting for a spicy chai and a good read.

2. Denver Botanic Gardens

No matter the time of year, Denver Botanic Gardens will always be one of my favorite spots in the metro area to relax, roam, and slip into a restful state of meditation.

3. Wash Park

Nestled in south central Denver is the incomparable Wash Park, spanning over 160 acres and overflowing with fall foliage, gardens, lakes, lawns, and geese...lots of geese.

4. Sloan's Lake Park

At 177 acres, Sloan's Lake is our city's second largest park and is another fantastic place to boat, jog, bike, or laze about on a blanket and simply watch the world slip by.

5. Crown Hill Park

Tucked away between Wheat Ridge and Lakewood is the wondrously serene Crown Hill Park, operated by the Jefferson County Open Space. It boasts 242 acres of grasslands, trails, and a lovely lake, with plenty of shady shores for fishing and benches for reading and reflecting.

6. Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge

Over 15,000 acres of woodlands, wetlands, and grasslands just north of Denver are home to approximately 330 species of animals and a network of trails for your walking and wildlife viewing pleasure. A prime locale for a tranquil sunrise or serene sunset amongst the mule and white-tail deer, migratory waterfowl, and other magnificent beasts.

7. City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks

Along Cherryvale Road in Boulder is a series of peaceful parks and open spaces just waiting for you to take a leisurely stroll.

8. Clear Creek Trail

In the quaint little town of Golden, there's a trail that meanders along Clear Creek and offers many quiet moments of solitude. There are also a handful of mountain parks with fantastic fall foliage and terrific trails just outside of Golden, including Windy Saddle Park, Mount Galbraith Park, Centennial Cone Park, and Clear Creek Canyon Park.

9. Red Rocks Park

Matthews/Winters Park and Red Rocks Park near Morrison are two more scenic spots to loaf, roam, play, and enjoy bursts of fall color and sweeping views of Denver and the surrounding foothills.

10. Chatfield State Park

Hike, bike, lounge, or float a boat at this gorgeous state park in Littleton. (And don't forget about Bear Creek Lake Park in Lakewood and Cherry Creek State Park in Aurora!)

11. South Valley Park & Deer Creek Canyon

Just west of Chatfield Lake are two fantastic open spaces with awe-inspiring rock formations, breathtaking views of the rolling foothills, and a vast network of trails to wander.

12. Denver Mountain Parks

In fact, our beloved Mile High City boasts roughly 14,000 acres of mountain parks near the metro area, where the possibility for peace and tranquility is virtually endless!

13. Denver Urban Parks

And did you know Denver is also home to 250 urban parks totaling nearly 6,000 acres?!?!

14. Honestly, no matter where you turn, our city offers so much autumn beauty and opportunities for serenity. I urge you to go out and find your favorite nook in nature today!

Have you been to this Hidden Denver Destination?