[mr_dove]

I'm looking for the most basic trails in the Denver area to get my 8 year old started.

I've checked around the cherry creek lake area but all the dirt sections I've found are extremely short.

At this point I'm looking for dirt trails with little or no rocks/roots and very little climbing. He has a single speed bike with no shocks.

 

[Ithnu]

There is a trail that goes along the bottom of Green Mountain from 1 parking lot to the other.

 

[cecil]

im not from colorado but visited friends who live in lakewood we rode at red rocks there were a lot of real cool trails. i live on the eastcoast and have kids, dont under estimate your 8 yr olds ability. both of my kids at that age and younger were desending rooty tight trails after a couple rides

 

[Full Trucker]

Check out Bear Creek Lake State Park, might be just what you're looking for. And once you get a gauge of their strength, you may be able to take them on something more climb-y but still smooth, like Lair-o-the-Bear? And who knows, like Cecil said maybe they'll surprise you!

 

[SkaredShtles]

Other good kid-options are South Valley (the Bugling Elk Trail), Flying-J up in Conifer, 3-Sisters from the meadow parking lot, and Elk Meadow in Evergreen.

I would *not* recommend the Green Mountain lower trail or Matthew Winters/Red Rocks until you get a better idea of the kid's abilities. Unless you're just planning on doing the short Matthew-Winters loop... but that's pretty short.

 

[Nick]

Check out Bear Creek Lake State Park,