HomeColoradoBroomfield › McKay Lake Park and Open Lands

McKay Lake Park and Open Lands

4.8 ★★★★★ 381 Google reviews · Running trail in Broomfield, Colorado · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Loop distance
Not reported
Shape
Loop
Shade
Tree cover
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from McKay Lake Park and Open Lands' own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

LoopShadedScenicFlat & fastHillyTrailhead parking

Picnic spot, playground and trails-strewn park featuring a lake, bike jumps and free parking.

What runners say about McKay Lake Park and Open Lands

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (381 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 4 mentions

“The park is well-thought-out, the people are generally friendly, and everything is well maintained and clean.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 11 mentions

“Such a beautiful nature-focused park with lots of things for kids (and adults) of all ages to do!”

🌳 shaded & cool 3 mentions

“Only downsides are: there is only one spot for shade with 2 benches, and there were hundreds of wasps on the climbing areas.”

👟 good for all levels 2 mentions

“Such a beautiful nature-focused park with lots of things for kids (and adults) of all ages to do!”

Very nice trail around lake, with a little wooded area towards the north, near the farm. Plenty of benches and areas to stop along the path and take in the view. Always see people fishing a kayaking. The trail is also accessible to many other trails/paths in the area.

★★★★★ — Allyson , Jun 2023

Finally... a GREAT place for kids and teens hang out. McKay Lake Park and Open Lands offers a number of outdoor activities. The bike park hosts a pump track, skills loop & high level jump track (bring your helmet).

★★★★★ — Eddy , Jan 2019

This park is amazing especially if your child can climb and is adventurous. This would be my go-to Park. Only downsides are: there is only one spot for shade with 2 benches, and there were hundreds of wasps on the climbing areas. They weren’t very aggressive but there were just so many.

★★★★☆ — Jose , Sep 2019

Great park to walk. Lots of cool activities to here. Fish, raft, bike, and an awesome playground. The Housese surrounding the lands are beautiful. There's even a horse ranch near bye so you can see the horses. Great for kids and adults.

★★★★★ — Chef , Sep 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 381 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 15 mentions

“Such a beautiful nature-focused park with lots of things for kids (and adults) of all ages to do!”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 8 mentions

“The city of Westminster is updating the parking lot on the north side and the city of Broomfield has nice parking area near playground and bike parks on the south side.”

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⛰️ Hills / elevation 5 mentions

“Very fun to see them learning while they watch the older kids on the bigger hills.”

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🌳 Shaded / tree cover 4 mentions

“Only downsides are: there is only one spot for shade with 2 benches, and there were hundreds of wasps on the climbing areas.”

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🔁 Loop trail 2 mentions

“The bike park hosts a pump track, skills loop & high level jump track (bring your helmet).”

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Flat & fast 2 mentions

“Stairs made out of tree trunks, large flat boulders to climb, rope play sets, cargo net bridge and climbing net plus a few little slides built into the landscape.”

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Plan your run at McKay Lake Park and Open Lands

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
  • Phone+1 303-469-3301

Hours

Monday 5 am–11 pm
Tuesday 5 am–11 pm
Wednesday 5 am–11 pm
Thursday 5 am–11 pm
Friday 5 am–11 pm
Saturday 5 am–11 pm
Sunday 5 am–11 pm

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find McKay Lake Park and Open Lands

R8866177, Broomfield, CO 80023

Get directions

Running trails near Broomfield

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Quail Creek Park

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Shaded

Well-maintained park featuring a sports field, playground trails, gazebo and picnic tables.

under a mile away

Big Dry Creek Park

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ScenicDog-friendly

Public park with a playground, picnic areas with grills, sports fields, and trails, plus a dog park.

1.6 miles away

Willow Run Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 11 reviews

Broomfield, CO

1.7 miles away

Broomfield Commons Open Space

4.6 ★★★★★ 286 reviews

Broomfield, CO

LoopCrushed gravelLitScenic

Trails form different size loops around this vast, grassy open space for recreation & relaxing.

2.0 miles away

Anthem Community Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 421 reviews

Broomfield, CO

ScenicDog-friendly

Park with a pump track, soccer fields, picnic shelter, walking trails, and pond.

2.2 miles away

Hunters Glen Lake Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 285 reviews

Thornton, CO

140 miScenicDog-friendly

Peaceful park with a lake for fishing surrounded by a walking path and picnic tables.

2.6 miles away

All running trails in Broomfield, CO →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.