How to Spend 4 Hours in Denver: River Walk to Confluence Park and LoHi
Updated October 9, 2026
Four hours in Denver is enough for an easy walk from Union Station to the river. Cross the Millennium Bridge, see Confluence Park where Denver began, browse the REI flagship and end at a giant milk can of an ice cream shop.
Denver started where Cherry Creek flows into the South Platte River, and that meeting point is a short walk from Union Station. The route crosses the rail yards on a striking footbridge, follows the paths of Commons Park down to the water and ends in Lower Highland, the hillside neighborhood across the river. On the way, the outdoor store REI occupies a brick power plant from 1901 that once ran the city's streetcars. The walking is flat and mostly on paved paths beside the water. Denver sits about a mile above sea level, so the thin, dry air can catch you out even on a gentle walk. Carry water, and take it slowly at first if you've just arrived.
Navi is a text-based AI assistant that helps you keep your trip on track
- Text this plan to Navi with the button on this page.
- Tell Navi your flights, or the day and time you start.
- Navi fits the stops to your real times and texts you when it is time to move on.
The 4 hour plan, stop by stop
Stops and travel: 2 hr 23 min to 3 hr 13 min of 4 hours
This footbridge was built in 2002 at the end of 16th Street behind Union Station, carrying walkers over the railroad tracks to Commons Park. A single white mast leans over the deck, with steel cables fanning out to hold it up. It is a quick way on foot from downtown to the river, and the deck has a view along the tracks.
Tip: Pause at the top of the stairs on the downtown side, where the mast and cables frame the view toward the South Platte and Highland beyond it.
- Time here
- 10 to 15 min
- Website
- denvergov.org
NaviTime to head out from Denver Millennium Bridge for Confluence Park. It's a 6 minute walk if you leave now. Here's the link
Cherry Creek meets the South Platte River here, and in 1858 gold seekers camped along these banks in the settlements that became Denver. Today, the park has terraced steps down to the water and boat chutes where kayakers paddle in summer. Paved trails follow both streams out of the park. Trail work sometimes detours stretches of the riverside paths, so check the city's trail detours page if you plan to walk farther.
Tip: Sit on the stone steps where the two streams meet. In warm weather, people wade in, and kayakers often practice in the chutes just below.
- Time here
- 45 min to 1 hr
- Website
- denvergov.org
NaviTime to head out from Confluence Park for REI Denver Flagship. It's a 6 minute walk if you leave now. Here's the link
REI's Denver store fills the old Denver Tramway Company power plant, a brick building from 1901 that powered the city's streetcars until the last ones ran in 1950. Inside, the industrial shell holds a huge range of outdoor gear and an indoor climbing pinnacle. Even if you're not shopping, the building itself is worth a look, with its high ceilings and exposed steel.
Tip: Head toward the climbing pinnacle first, then upstairs for a look down over the floor. If you are heading to the mountains later, the staff can advise on current trail conditions.
- Time here
- 45 min to 1 hr
- Website
- rei.com
NaviTime to head out from REI Denver Flagship for Little Man Ice Cream, 16th Street. It's an 11 minute walk if you leave now. Here's the link
This ice cream shop is built into a 28 foot tall milk can on 16th Street in Lower Highland, a short walk up the hill from the river. Lines form on warm evenings. For each scoop sold, the shop sets aside part of the price for causes such as education and hunger relief. The flavors change often, with a few classics always on the board. Lower Highland around it mixes new apartment blocks with older brick houses and restaurants, and it makes a pleasant short stroll with a cone in hand.
Tip: Walk over the Highland pedestrian bridge from the REI side, and you'll come out a block from the milk can. Eat your cone on the bridge for a view back toward downtown.
- Time here
- 20 to 35 min
- Website
- littlemanicecream.com
Text Navi for navigation assistance
Navi can help you plan trips, monitor traffic and weather in real time, and get you from place to place on time. There's no app to download, just a number to text. There are many other everyday use cases for Navi that you can check on textnavi.com. The team has spent several months building Navi and we're excited to be launching in public beta. Please send any feedback you may have to feedback@textnavi.com.
Want Navi to run this plan for you?
More guides for Denver
3 hoursHow to Spend 3 Hours in Denver: Civic Center, Blue Bear and Larimer Square
Three hours in Denver is enough for a free walk across downtown. Start at Civic Center Park below the Capitol, meet the Big Blue Bear at the Convention Center, pass the D&F Tower and end the walk in Larimer Square.
6 hoursHow to Spend 6 Hours in Denver: RiNo Murals, a Food Hall and a Taproom
Six hours in Denver is enough to explore RiNo, the River North Art District. Eat at Denver Central Market, wander the painted alleys off Larimer Street and end with a beer at Ratio.
8 hoursHow to Spend 8 Hours in Denver: History Colorado, Wash Park and South Pearl
Eight hours in Denver is enough for a museum morning and a long walk around the lakes of Washington Park. Start at the History Colorado Center, take an Uber to Washington Park, then walk to Kaos Pizzeria on Old South Pearl Street for a late lunch.
6 hoursHow to Spend a 6 Hour Layover in Denver: DEN to Union Station by A Line
A 6 hour layover in Denver from DEN leaves room for a short trip downtown on the A Line, if your inbound flight is on time. See the restored Great Hall of Denver Union Station and get a coffee inside before the train back to DEN.
8 hoursHow to Spend an 8 Hour Layover in Denver: DEN to the Denver Art Museum
An 8 hour layover in Denver from DEN gives you time for the Denver Art Museum and its quieter neighbor. Ride the A Line to Union Station and the free 16th Street FreeRide to Civic Center, see both buildings of the art museum on one ticket, then walk around the corner to the Clyfford Still Museum.
10 hoursHow to Spend a 10 Hour Layover in Denver: DEN to Dinosaurs and City Park
A 10 hour layover in Denver from DEN is enough to reach City Park by train and bus. Spend a long visit at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, then walk to Ferril Lake for the view of downtown with the mountains behind it.