A free Jeffco Open Space nature center on a mountaintop above Golden. It has a social story you can read before you go, a backpack of sensory items to check out at the welcome desk, and a touch table, a practice campsite and a play room for kids.
Sensory supports. Free, social story, sensory backpack.
Nature center: Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, 10 am to 4 pm; closed Tuesday to Thursday. Preserve trails: daily, one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.
“At the Nature Center, they have backpacks that visitors can checkout and use during their visit. One focuses on nature and hiking, and the other has sensory items. I can stop by the welcome desk if I am interested in using these tools.”
“The Nature Center plays ambient nature sounds on overhead speakers during visiting hours. They are soft sounds, but I can always take a break in the Activity Room or outside if needed.”
“The green sticker means I can touch it.” “The red stickers on the exhibit remind me not to touch the display to help preserve it.”
Our note The social story is a free PDF on the center's page.
Our note The center displays taxidermy (preserved real animals). The social story says some people enjoy seeing them up close and others do not, and you can take a break.
Three things to know
“Lookout Mountain Nature Center is free to visit.”
Open Friday through Monday, 10 am to 4 pm. Closed Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
“Since the site is on a mountaintop, I will prepare for my visit by checking weather conditions so I can dress appropriately.”
More: inside, outside, contact
The center names these break spots itself
Louder
Quieter
Activity Roomquiet zone
Outside the nature centerquiet zone
Restrooms and a water station are down the hallway next to the welcome desk.
Inside: a touch table with antlers, furs and skulls, a tent with sleeping bags to practice camping, a room with animal puppets and books, and an Activity Room for art.
Picnic tables sit outside, where many of the preserve's trails start. The nature center is ADA compliant, including entrances, restrooms and parking.
“Cell phones rarely work on Lookout Mountain.” Phone 720-497-7600.
What the center doesn't say
not stated what is in the sensory backpack
not stated how busy weekends get
not stated whether the overhead sounds can be turned down
The nature center is open Friday through Monday, 10 am to 4 pm, and it's free. Read the social story together first. At the welcome desk, ask for the backpack with sensory items. Inside there's a touch table with antlers, furs and skulls, animal displays, a tent to practice camping in, and a room with puppets and books. Soft nature sounds play overhead. Change anything.
Common questions
What if my child won't look at the schedule or story?
That is common at first. Leave it where the moment happens, point to one picture at a time, and keep it low-pressure. Many kids warm up to it after a few calm tries, in their own time.
Can I make this in Spanish?
Yes. Every tool and this page exist in Spanish, and the printed page comes out in the language you choose. Use the language switch at the top.
Do I need an account?
No. There is no signup, and we don’t keep what you type; anything you save stays on your device. Make it, print it, done.
