John Denver Sanctuary

As a John Denver fan, I figured I would love this place, but it exceeded expectations. The flowing water and manicured grounds provided by this little sanctuary are incredibly well conceived. The fall colors during peak week made the garden pop. Highly recommended during the first week of October for anyone looking to breathe in some peace and serenity, not just those who appreciate Denver's songwriting. Insightful quotes and beautiful scenery are a perfect way to reflect, regardless of your taste in music.

Just beautiful, peaceful and as John Denver fan very emotional.. went for John Denver week in October, you don’t need to buy tickets to get in, have been to Aspen twice and hope to go back again, this time I would go in late Spring. There are lots of beautiful things to see and do, I went for two weeks. Aspen is beautiful!

Hard to explain, but if you are a die-hard JD fan, you'd understand the peacefulness and serenity of the park. My only miss on this place is the limited number of lyrics etched in granite. The top 7 obvious ones, but so much more could be done! Still a 5 star rating!

I have waited so long to visit this place and it did not disappoint. Tranquil, peaceful, serene. Everything he would have wanted it to be. I was a bit nervous considering my achilles surgery and recovery. I trained for this little trip. To see "Everything," there is a little climbing or stepping down on rocks, but you, for the most part, are on flat surfaces.

so pretty here! i’d recommend people go here for a leisurely walk, time alone, or even to read a book. very quiet yet a big area so there are a lot of places to relax or sit down. very clean bathrooms as well.

This is such a wonderful place. We're big fans of John Denver, but even those unfamiliar or those who hate his music can appreciate the beauty of this place. Running water, well tended plants and landscape. It was amazing.

Beautiful and tranquil park alongside the river, right near downtown Aspen. Clean and well designed, nice tribute to John Denver. Very peaceful

The John Denver Sanctuary in Aspen, Colorado, is a breathtaking tribute to the legendary singer-songwriter. Nestled along the banks of the Roaring Fork River, this serene oasis is a must-visit destination for fans and nature lovers alike. The sanctuary beautifully blends the natural splendor of Aspen with Denver's heartfelt lyrics, engraved on stones throughout the park. Walking through the lush gardens, you can feel an intimate connection to Denver's spirit and his love for the environment. The sanctuary's meticulously landscaped grounds feature native plants, tranquil water features, and inviting walking paths that invite visitors to pause and reflect. It's not just a memorial but a living testament to Denver's environmental advocacy and his timeless music. Whether you're there to pay homage or simply to enjoy a peaceful retreat, the John Denver Sanctuary offers an unparalleled experience of beauty, inspiration, and tranquility. It's a place where Denver's legacy lives on, harmonizing perfectly with the stunning natural backdrop of Aspen.

It's a nice little park in downtown Aspen. It's very easy to hike and quite beautiful. It is small and kind of easy to get lost. But still a great experience

Cool spot that's super peaceful and very close to the downtown. Highly recommend checking it out.

The sanctuary is beautiful but its serenity is scarred but the ear piercing gas leaf blower at a neighboring yard. It's 5pm on Thursday and the neighbor is blowing their entire tennis court. It's so loud you can't even hear the John Denver music along the path. The Sanctuary asks visitors to be quiet and respect the quiet - they should ask the same of the neighbor across the creek.

I had a semi-religious experience at the John Denver Sanctuary. It was a cool morning in July, I had a cup of coffee in tow, and classic John Denver songs top of mind. The sun was shining bright, I couldn't have asked for a more perfect morning. This is the most beautiful public park I've ever been to. The flowers, the water, the perfectly manicured stone trails, I was practically in shock the entire time. Sitting appropriately along the Roaring Fork River, I hope Aspen counts its blessings. If I lived here, I would come here for a morning walk 8 days a week. I'm a big fan of John Denver. I didn't really know what to expect coming here being it was a public park. However, once you find your way to his memorial you are immediately humbled by the man he was. A legendary musician and activist. His lyrics plastered on gorgeous stones aren't the best photo opp, but are perfect for a solace, in person experience. It's a fitting tribute to a dynamic figure. Slow down and take a look around. It's what John would've wanted. Throughout the park, there are meaningful quotes from famous figures. Don't miss out on this special place when in Aspen. It's calming, just like a John Denver ballad.

THE PERFECT ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH Take Me Home... to the serene John Denver Sanctuary in the heart of Aspen. Meander around this stunning park for free, and discover who wrote so many familiar songs. Feel the Sunshine on Your Shoulders as you stroll along the Roaring Fork river. Some Days are Diamonds when you can savor nature's beauty in such a glorious setting. Boulders scattered along the well-groomed trails feature quotes from Denver's popular songs. Enhance your experience by watching the docudrama "Take Me Home" before you go. You'll want to be Leaving On a Jet Plane to come back again.

Beautiful morning walk through the sanctuary! Peaceful & serene. Great to walk along the river.

Lovely this is. Serene is the landscape of rocks, flowers, and, trees against the majestic Colorado sky and mountains. Rocks beautifully engraved honoring John Denver's lyrics. A quiet childhood memory of "rocky mountain high" & "autograph" always being played on all of our family car trips. CHEERS!

This was a lovely place to check out near downtown Aspen, whether or not you are a John Denver fan. It was my first time in Aspen and we came here while on a morning stroll after breakfast. There's one main path clearly marked with signs and from there, you can veer off to explore and read inscriptions on rocks, take a seat by serene ponds, or amble by the river. It's not a big park (at least the sanctuary part of it), so it won't take too long to walk through, but there are plenty of spaces to hang out and take in the scenery, too. Whether you have hours to spare or thirty minutes, this was such a nice spot to enjoy while in town.

A hidden treasure not so hidden. Bring the kids to enjoy beautiful contained paths or don't and enjoy your peace and quiet.

We had a great time exploring John Denver's Sanctuary and the surrounding parks and trails. What a beautiful tribute with lots of quotes and gorgeous landscape. It left us researching John Denver and really sad for the way he died, but grateful that his life's impact resulted in such a beautiful tribute and park for many to enjoy. If you have kids, keep going. You'll reach a lovely little park and a couple swings. Keep going.

This is a really cool spot just a few minutes walk away from downtown Aspen. It is definitely worth a walk through the sanctuary if you are in the area -- it is incredibly peaceful with streams, plants, quotes, rock formations, etc... A great [and free!] place to zone out and relax a bit, to drink your morning coffee, or just to enjoy some nice scenery.

Absolutely Stunning! There are several large boulders with lyrics by John Denver inscribed onto them. Many people love to take their dogs out on walks as they take a stroll through the mini trail along the river. You can also lay on the grass and just relax as you enjoy the parade of beautiful dogs pass you by. Either way, the view is so serene and you'll definitely not want to miss this place if you're visiting Aspen. Enjoy~

I stopped in here with my fiance while we were visiting Aspen to experience the sanctuary. We loved the water features and rocks as well as the songs etched into rocks. Considering it was free it was an amazing visit! I'd highly recommend a visit in.

This had been on my bucket list to visit. I'm so thankful I had the opportunity to come. Shed a few tears, meant so much to be here. Grateful it exists so those of us touched by John Denver have a place to go and "feel" him and his work. I absolutely loved this place.

Awesome located along the water to walk around and take in the beautiful scenery and natural appeal of Aspen! Very special place for couples and Families alike.

Whether you are passing through or visiting for the weekend, please make a point to check this peaceful and relaxing space out. Dedicated to the memory and life of John Denver, this is home to a four acre sanctuary to help bring some calm to everyone's hectic life. Did i mention it's free?! Yes free! And open to kids of all ages as well as dogs. I heard nothing but great feedback prior to visiting but to see it for myself made all the difference. The space itself is surrounded by a river with smaller streams running through the sanctuary and large boulders with lyrics and quotes by John Denver himself inscribed onto them. There are many different mini trails you can explore or feel free to relax by his sound garden and take in the peace and calm views. It is located perfectly in the heart of downtown Aspen making it a quick hop and a skip away by foot. Since there is no public parking at the sanctuary, there is a parking garage close by which charges $1.50 per hour. Grab a blanket, some snacks and indulge in the ever so calm surroundings of John Denver Sanctuary. You will not be disappointed

Beautiful park, with relaxing atmosphere, and nice trails to walk. The song garden has big boulder with John Denver's inspiring writings carved in. Nice place to visit.

Amazingly beautiful park area , I love how the community has so many green spaces. Water access here makes this fun for all ages

What a lovely place! I caught a few brookies in the streams adjacent, walked around the park to read each of the memorial stones, and enjoyed the sculpture. Stumbling upon this place was such a happy accident. It's beautiful, and as I sit in my office working, I hear Rocky Mountain High on the radio, and suddenly all I can think about is his Sanctuary. Whoever designed that place really loved John Denver, and shaped that earth with the spirit of his music. Aspen is a bit of a strange place for "Mr. Sunshine on my Goddamn Shoulders" John Denver, but that opulent city can afford the upkeep - so what are you going to do, huh? Lovely place! I miss it. Down the road you'll find an expensive grocery store that houses a revolving carousel of fresh ice cream. Do it! John Denver demands such!

Beautiful setting to enjoy. Great place to relax and take a stroll. The stones here are etched with motivation and it's fun to find them all. During the winter months it is pretty chilly but nestled in the mountains you can take in such beauty and serenity which feels far removed from town despite being in the middle of it all.

This is an essential must do. So very relaxing. Great place for a walk. I would highly recommend that you visit this sanctuary.

Insanely gorgeous place to be if you're in Aspen. Sun or snow, take the chance to stroll in this beautiful spot. There's a creek and many places to sit. Among the large rocks, you can read inscriptions of Denver's inspiring lyrics. Psst, this is a wonderful date spot. Bring out a picnic with some wine and you'll impress your date. ;) Just be ready for the friendly dogs (with other guests) to come by and greet you!

Dedicated to the memory of John Denver, this four-acre park/sanctuary is a beautiful little park filled with steles (monuments) inscribed with some of his songs. It is a park for contemplation and introspection; a place to observe a quiet branch of the Roaring Fork River, trickling through flowered, rolling terrain, footpaths, a bridge, an occasional fish, and nature at its finest. The landscape looks as though it was designed by one of the world's great landscape designers, but I'm sure it's mostly natural (except for the steles). This park is well worth an hour or more of your time. An added bonus would be to take along some of John Denver's music to listen to while you're touring the sanctuary. It's within a short walk of downtown Aspen.