Things to Do in Centennial, CO: High Line Canal Trail, Creek Trails and Dove Valley

By Prerna Kapoor, CLHMS | REAL Brokerage | November 2, 2026

Centennial does not have one big lake or one big main street, so “things to do” here mostly means trails. According to Wikipedia’s Centennial page, the city’s open spaces are usually paired with recreational trails and parks, including the High Line Canal Trail, Willow Creek Trail, Dry Creek Dam and DeKoevend Park. The same page says the city incorporated on February 7, 2001.

If you are weighing Centennial as a place to live, my Living in Centennial guide covers the bigger picture. And if you would like to see homes near the trails below, my free buyer guide is the easiest first step.

The High Line Canal Trail

The High Line Canal page says the canal runs about 66 miles, and roughly 60 miles have been improved as a recreational trail. It is open all year to hikers, bikers and joggers, and along some segments to horses. It is closed to unauthorized motor vehicles, and the surface ranges from hard-packed dirt to concrete.

The canal passes through Douglas, Arapahoe, Denver and Adams counties. In 2024, Denver Water transferred ownership of a 45-mile segment to Arapahoe County, with a conservation easement held by the High Line Canal Conservancy. Because several agencies look after different stretches, rules can differ from one section to the next, so check the managing agency before you go.

Dry Creek Dam, DeKoevend Park and the Creek Trails

The Centennial page also names Big Dry Creek and Little Dry Creek trails along with Willow Creek Trail. I read nothing there about acreage, hours or facilities for DeKoevend Park or Dry Creek Dam, so I will not guess. The city’s own parks pages are the place for current details.

What I can say from watching buyers here: people often tell me they want to know which trail is closest to a house before they care about almost anything else on the list. That is an easy thing to map, and I am happy to do it with you.

Dove Valley and Centennial Airport

Just outside the city limits, Dove Valley is an unincorporated area that borders Centennial. Wikipedia says it hosts the Denver Broncos’ headquarters and training facilities, and that the Pat Bowlen Fieldhouse was built on that campus in 2014. It also says Denver Summit FC plans a training center there, with a temporary 12,000-seat stadium planned to open in 2026, so check the team for current status.

Centennial Airport sits next door in unincorporated Arapahoe County and opened in 1968 as Arapahoe County Airport. If a home is near the flight path, read my notes on what to check near Centennial Airport first.

IKEA and the I-25 Side of Town

Interstate 25 roughly divides the city, and the page says most business and entertainment centers are west of it. IKEA Centennial opened on July 27, 2011, and is described as the second-largest IKEA store in the United States. Getting around between the two sides is its own question, and my south Denver commute times post goes through it.

Quick answers

How long is the High Line Canal Trail? The canal runs about 66 miles, with roughly 60 miles improved as a recreational trail, per Wikipedia.

Is the airport inside Centennial? No. It is adjacent to the city, in unincorporated Arapahoe County.

Are there fees or hours for the parks? The pages I read do not say. Check the City of Centennial and the managing agency for each trail.

If you would like me to line up a few Centennial homes with the trails you would actually use, I’m always happy to. No pressure. Sources (Wikipedia): Centennial, Colorado; High Line Canal; Centennial Airport.

Prerna Kapoor | REALTOR® | Luxury Home Specialist
REAL Brokerage | 720-949-5450 | info@prernakapoor.com
CLHMS • RENE • PSA • ABR | International Sterling Society Award Winner

Prerna specializes in residential real estate across Parker, Aurora, Lone Tree, Castle Pines,
Highlands Ranch, Cherry Creek, Greenwood Village, and Centennial. She speaks English, Japanese,
and Hindi.