Some would say that the mountains near Denver, with so many outdoor recreation opportunities, are nature's version of an amusement park. But what make screaming down a roller coaster track different from, say, screaming down a mountain on skis, are all the things nature can't provide; the neon lights, the carnival atmosphere, the funnel cake. Denver happens to be blessed with the best of both worlds. Below you'll find four amusement parks full of splashes and thrills that don't make you leave civilization behind. 

When it comes to theme parks, some people prefer tradition over technology. For them, creaky wooden coasters are as exciting as their steel juggernaut cousins. Lakeside Amusement Park, in operation since 1908, has the carnival games, the merry-go-rounds and the drop tower that have entertained generations of families. Free parking, picnicking, and affordable ticket prices make a visit to Lakeside as timeless as its rides. 

Teenagers and thrill-seekers are forever in search of the biggest and best theme park rides. For them, Elitch Gardens, located within walking distance of downtown Denver, won't disappoint. Elitch has a number of big, steel coasters like the Mind Eraser, which sends riders through corkscrews with arms and legs dangling. It also caters to families, with kid-friendly rides, concerts, shows, and water rides. To cap things off, Elitch Gardens puts on a fireworks display each night before closing.

Less than 30 minutes away near the town of Golden, CO, Heritage Square presents an entirely different amusement park experience. Nestled against the foothills, this miniature town is more like a community of attractions than a single destination. At its heart is a street of shops and a dinner theater. Surrounding the village are a host of attractions like a go kart track, human maze, alpine slide, and other amusement park rides. With events taking place year round, there is always something fun for the family at Heritage Square. 

No amusement park list would be complete without a water park. As it happens, Denver has one of the country's best. With 46 rides that range from kiddie-pool play areas to speed slides and fully-enclosed water slides, Water World, just 15 minutes from Denver, provides the best way to cool down on hot Colorado days. The sprawling, landscaped park has many great waterside patches of grass perfect for picnics and summer lounging. Water World has a number of lazy and wild river rides, as any water park worth its inflatable tubes should.