Things to do in Avon Colorado

All the ingredients for a perfect family day or extended weekend begin and end in Avon. Experience Avon’s Harry A. Nottingham Park, recreational facilities, library and Main Street Mall, which are all centrally located along Lake Street for a one stop and play and relax experience. Free parking is available throughout the Town, complimented by free Avon Transit bus service.

Harry A. Nottingham Park

The crown-jewel of Avon, Harry A. Nottingham Park offers 48 acres of open space, including grassy fields for kicking soccer balls and playing catch, with sand volleyball courts, and basketball, pickleball and tennis courts available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Hard-surfaced recreational paths throughout the Park make it easily accessible for bikes and strollers. One of the most popular park attractions is the lake and beach swim area, where SUP and pedal boat rentals are available. Nottingham Lake has one of the most vibrant recreational lake scenes in Colorado, and paddling this little lake may be one of the most fun things you do all summer! Stand Up Paddle Colorado offers a variety of rentals, from sleek and fast, to big and stable enough for a whole family. Each rental includes a complimentary paddle talk and required PFDs. Nottingham Lake is also open to fishing, so remember your fishing license (available for purchase at many Avon retail stores) and fishing pole to enjoy the well-stocked lake. Bring a hammock, grillables and a good book, and you have the ingredients for a perfect summer afternoon. There are barbecue grills and picnic shelters in the park, as well as a brand-new playground called Destination Jump Splash Learn.

Destination Jump Splash Learn

Located in Harry A. Nottingham Park is Avon’s newest playground, Destination Jump Splash Learn, opened to rave reviews from children and adults alike in Spring of 2018. The playground features both traditional and nature-themed play equipment including swings, a zip-line, free standing climbing features, slides, and interactive equipment for children with all physical abilities. A Nature Play Obstacle Course provides a play space with decorative climbing boulders, a natural play ‘tunnel,’ and log steppers. The small creek allows children the opportunity to interact with the water, and the riparian learning areas give children the opportunity to learn about plants indigenous to Colorado waterways. Destination Jump Splash Learn is located on the north side of the Park near the Park restrooms.

West Avon Preserve Trail System

The Vail Valley has earned the prestigious designation of being a Silver-Level Ride Center, and the West Avon Preserve trail system is included in that designation. Located north of I-70 in the Wildridge neighborhood of Avon, the West Avon Preserve offers winding trails of all levels of difficulty from easy to strenuous. Hiking, biking and horseback riding are allowed uses while motorized vehicle use is not allowed on the West Avon Preserve trails. Wrap up your day with one of the best sunset hikes in the Vail Valley. Park at the Beaver Creek Point trailhead and head out to Beaver Creek Point to take in breathtaking views of Avon and Beaver Creek, or follow the 1-mile Our Backyard loop to get great Wildridge views. If you’re ready for some more intermediate and advanced mountain biking, check out the entire trail map here or visit www.mtbproject.com and search “Avon, CO” to get a better understanding of the trail system and its connections. Another West Avon Preserve trailhead is located across from O’Neal Spur Pocket Park in Wildridge, at the intersection of Old Trail Road and O’Neal Spur. From this trailhead, you can access the PB&J (Pumps, Berms and Jumps) bike trail, which offers big in-sloped corners, tight switchbacks and incredible views of Beaver Creek. Restroom facilities and a water fountain are available at the O’Neal Spur Pocket Park, and amble parking is available. The West Avon Preserve trails are a great way to end your day, and are perfect for families looking for a wide variety of terrain.

Walking Mountains Science Center

Less than a thousand yards from I-70, yet worlds away from the bustle of Avon, lies the beautiful Walking Mountains Science Center, an innovative natural science learning campus for residents and visitors of the Vail Valley. The ten-acre site, which boasts a stream, wetlands, pond, aspen forest and National Forest access, is a special place for learning and discovery in the natural world. Walking Mountains offers programming for toddlers, young children, teenagers and adults Join a Naturalist for a free gentle educational hike through aspen and riparian communities at our Avon location, and learn about the ecology and animal adaptations of this mountain environment. Come prepared to spend an hour outside with appropriate clothing, hiking shoes and water. All ages, FREE (at most locations).  No reservation required, just show up! Learn more at www.walkingmountains.org.

Avon Recreation Center

The Avon Recreation Center is a spacious multi-use facility with over 40,000 square feet of fun! Within its doors lies a variety of activities which will exceed you and your family’s fitness and leisure needs. The 15,000 square foot aquatics facility is incredibly family-friendly and includes a 5-lane lap pool, lazy river, zero-depth entry kids pool, 140-foot water slide, Aquaclimb climbing wall, diving well, hot tub, dry sauna and steam room. Whether you want to join a yoga class, use the state-of-the-art cardio equipment, swim laps in the pool, or simply relax and daydream while floating along the lazy river, the Avon Recreation Center and its staff can surely accommodate your needs. Learn more at www.avonrec.org.

Eagle River

The Eagle River offers an abundance of recreational activities, whether you’re looking for the adrenaline rush of white water rafting, or more interested in a relaxing float trip. A tributary of the Colorado River, the Eagle River flows over 60 miles from north of Minturn to west of Gypsum, where it joins with the Colorado. The Eagle River offers fantastic fishing, whether you’re an experienced angler or a novice fisherman. Fly fishing guide services throughout Eagle County offer full-day or half-day family-friendly trips, providing an excellent way to see Avon and the Vail Valley from the river. These trips are educational and a great way for anglers of all levels to refine their skills and increase their fishing knowledge.

Eagle Valley Regional Trail

The Eagle Valley Regional Trail is a notable amenity for residents and visitors, providing a safe, non-motorized route for pedestrians and bicyclists through Avon. The trail connects Avon to the nearby communities of Eagle-Vail and Edwards, and serves a wide range of age and ability levels. With benches tucked away on the river’s edge, it is a tranquil place to sit and enjoy the river. Be sure to check out the historic Avon waterwheel, a relic from the former Nottingham Power Plant. The self-constructed wood waterwheel was built along the Eagle River in 1928 and generated electricity for use by the Nottingham Family and nearby Avon Depot. The plant was designated a historical site by the Colorado Historical Society in November 2006, and it was restored in 2009.