Participation is recommended within the Pueblo recreation scene, with many options to choose from.

For water-sports enthusiasts, Lake Pueblo State Park is the most visited state park in Colorado thanks to offerings such as jet skiing, tubing, wakeboarding, boating and parasailing. The lake is also a fishing hot spot for catches of trout, walleye, bass, crappie, bluegill and yellow perch.

Meanwhile, thanks to Pueblo's Whitewater Park, the city is quickly becoming one of Colorado’s main paddling destinations because of the park's great waves and eddies in one central location. Kayakers are welcome to navigate the eight drops within the half-mile course along the Arkansas River, with the best access point being at the Fourth Street Bridge.

Walk This Way

Downtown Pueblo is graced with a 32-acre Historic Arkansas Riverwalk that includes a scenic walkway, outdoor amphitheater, nature center, small shops, cafes, artworks and the recently opened Veterans' Bridge. Residents commonly visit the Riverwalk to exercise, while pontoon boat rides are the most favored activity of tourists. There is outdoor entertainment every Friday and Saturday night from May to September and an outdoor farmers market operates throughout the summer.

Tails of Adventure

The Pueblo Zoo, located in City Park, has more than 420 animals. Visitors can get up close and personal with farm animals at the Pioneer Ranch or see a shipwreck journey to habitats around the world at the Islands of Life exhibit.

The Nature & Raptor Center of Pueblo, located on the Arkansas River, also provides visitors with a wealth of wildlife viewing. A variety of animals and plants are housed within the center’s blend of natural habitats.

Putts and Slapshots

Pueblo is also home to golf venues such as Desert Hawk at Pueblo West, Elmwood Golf Course, Pueblo Country Club and Walking Stick Golf Course. Meanwhile, ice-skating enthusiasts can enjoy year-round open skating along with youth and adult hockey leagues at Pueblo Plaza Ice Arena.

Other top recreation destinations within the city include Runyon Field, which is home to two high school-sized baseball fields and two junior-sized diamonds, and City Bark at City Park, which features a 2.5-acre facility where dogs can roam free once they are inside the fence. City Park is also home to a Kiddie Rides attraction with 12 rides that include a carousel and a train.