Facility Overview

Located on the southern rim of Denver’s iconic Sloan’s Lake, 1700 N Sheridan Blvd Parking (officially accessed via 5053 W 17th Ave) provides premier outdoor parking for visitors exploring West Denver, the Sloan’s Lake neighborhood, and the bordering city of Edgewater. This facility is an open-air surface lot operated under the auspices of Denver Parks and Recreation. It features a straightforward, single-level ground layout that eliminates the stress of navigating tight turns or narrow ramps common in multistory city decks.

Because the lot is completely open-air without ceiling beams or entrance gates, it offers unlimited vertical clearance. This makes the facility exceptionally suitable for all vehicle types, from standard compacts and sedans to high-roof camper vans, lifted pickup trucks, commercial service vehicles, and SUVs fitted with roof boxes, bike racks, or kayak carriers.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

This car park serves as the gateway to Sloan’s Lake Park—Denver’s second-largest urban park spanning 284 acres and housing the city’s largest open body of water (177 acres). Stepping directly out of your vehicle places you adjacent to the south shore's paved recreation loop, sports courts, and scenic picnic grounds. Key nearby attractions and destinations include:

• Sloan’s Lake Park & Perimeter Trail: Immediate direct access to the 2.6-mile multi-use walking, jogging, and bicycling loop, as well as paddleboard and kayak staging areas along the south bank.
• Empower Field at Mile High: Located just 1.8 miles directly east down W 17th Avenue (approximately 5 to 7 minutes by car or rideshare), making this area a convenient off-corridor rendezvous point for Denver Broncos home games, stadium tours, and major stadium concerts.
• West Colfax Arts & Dining Corridor: Situated two blocks south along West Colfax Avenue, home to popular cultural and culinary staples like Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Sloans Lake, Little Man Ice Cream Factory, Odell Brewing Sloan’s Lake Brewhouse, and Seedstock Brewery.
• Edgewater Public Market & Historic 25th Avenue: Just 1 mile northwest, offering food stalls, rooftop cocktail lounges, indie coffee shops, and boutique shopping.
• Downtown Denver & Ball Arena: Positioned roughly 3 miles east (a 10-minute drive), offering quick access to downtown business hubs, the Colorado Convention Center, and Union Station.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Ingress and egress are straightforward from West 17th Avenue, which runs along the southern boundary of the lake between North Sheridan Boulevard (Colorado State Highway 95) and North Federal Boulevard. Drivers arriving from the west or north can turn directly off Sheridan Boulevard onto W 17th Ave, while drivers from Downtown Denver can travel westbound along W 17th Ave or US-40 (Colfax Ave) before turning north onto Winona Court or Wolff Street.

For public transit connections, the car park is exceptionally well connected. The RTD Light Rail W Line at Sheridan Station (1198 Sheridan Blvd) is located approximately 0.6 miles south (a 12-minute walk or 3-minute bike/scooter ride), offering frequent, direct train transit straight into downtown Denver's Union Station and westward to the Denver Federal Center and Golden. Additionally, RTD Bus Route 51 operates along Sheridan Boulevard, and Route 16 runs frequent east-west service along nearby Colfax Avenue.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Open-Air Surface Parking: Generous outdoor stalls with wide turnaround lanes and zero overhead clearance restrictions.
• ADA Accessible Stalls: Clearly designated, paved accessible parking bays situated near sidewalk ramps and park entryways.
• Direct Trail & Park Access: Seamless connection onto the paved 2.6-mile lake trail loop, outdoor basketball courts, and grassy picnic fields.
• Public Transit Proximity: Walking distance to RTD light rail and key bus routes connecting across the Denver metropolitan area.
• Complimentary Daytime Visitor Parking: Open to parkgoers and community visitors free of charge during official park operational hours.
• Illuminated Grounds: Equipped with perimeter street lighting and park path illumination for early morning or evening visits.

Ideal For

• Park & Outdoor Enthusiasts: Runners, cyclists, walkers, and paddleboarders taking advantage of Denver’s premier lakefront green space.
• Neighborhood Diners & Shoppers: Visitors exploring the trendy craft breweries, bakeries, and taprooms in the Sloan’s Lake and West Colfax districts.
• Game-Day & Concertgoers: Savvy travelers seeking to avoid stadium gridlock by parking west of Empower Field at Mile High and taking rideshares, e-scooters, or bikes the final leg.
• Commuters & Transit Connectors: Drivers seeking a convenient jump-off point to connect with the RTD W Line at Sheridan Station.

Visitor & Driver Tips

• Observe Park Curfew: Sloan’s Lake Park is open daily from 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Municipal regulations strictly prohibit overnight parking; vehicles left after 11:00 PM risk being ticketed or towed by the city.
• Peak Arrival Strategy: The lot fills up rapidly on sunny weekend mornings and summer afternoons due to runners, dog walkers, and community sports leagues. Aim to arrive before 9:00 AM or after 4:00 PM to secure prime spaces effortlessly.
• Major Event Considerations: During large annual gatherings such as the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival, on-site parking at Sloan's Lake is heavily restricted or closed entirely in favor of satellite shuttles. Always check event traffic advisories beforehand.
• Secure Your Valuables: As with any popular municipal park, always roll up your windows, lock your vehicle doors, and keep all personal bags, electronics, and sports gear stowed out of sight in the trunk.