Denver's proximity to the Rocky Mountains makes it possible to spend a day skiing, snowmobiling, horseback riding, hiking, river running, sailing, fishing, hunting, mountain climbing, or rock-hounding and return to the city by nightfall. Within the city limits and nearby, visitors will find more than 200 miles of jogging and bicycle paths, over 100 free tennis courts, and several dozen public golf courses.

The city has an excellent system of Mountain Parks (tel. 303/697-4545), covering more than 14,000 acres, which are discussed earlier in this chapter in the "Parks, Gardens & Zoos" section.

Campsites are easy to reach from Denver, as are suitable sites for hang gliding and hot-air ballooning. Sailing is popular within the city at Sloan's Lake and in Washington Park (both Denver City Parks), and the Platte River is clear for many miles of river running in rafts, kayaks, and canoes.

The Denver Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau can supply detailed information about activities in the city. Information on nearby outdoor activities is available from: Colorado State Parks, 1313 Sherman St., Suite 618, Denver, CO 80203 (tel. 303/866-3437; www.coloradoparks.org); the U.S. Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region, 740 Sims St., Golden, CO 80401 (tel. 303/275-5350; www.fs.fed.us/r2); the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, 2850 Youngfield St., Lakewood, CO 80215 (tel. 303/239-3600; www.co.blm.gov); and the National Park Service, P.O. Box 25287, Denver, CO 80225 (tel. 303/969-2000; www.nps.gov).

Visitors who don't bring the necessary equipment have several rental sources. Sports Rent, 8761 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada, (tel. 303/467-0200), has just about everything imaginable, including bikes, in-line skates, canoes, camping equipment, skis, snowboards, snowshoes, ski racks, and clothing. Grand West Outfitters, 801 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203 (tel. 303/825-0300), rents camping gear and sells climbing gear, outdoor clothing, and other equipment. Grand West also has a rock-climbing wall in its store.