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Ellefson Park

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 Vail, 81657

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About

Ellefson Park is a small, quiet Town of Vail playground on Garmisch Drive in West Vail. It has swings, slides, big grassy fields and picnic tables, and in winter the small hills along its edge become an easy sledding spot for young children.

It suits families with toddlers and younger children staying in West Vail who want a calm alternative to the busy village playgrounds, and anyone after a simple picnic lawn close to home.

Summer and winter

In summer this is a swing-and-slide park with room to run on the lawns and picnic tables for a sunny afternoon. When snow falls, bring sleds for the gentle slopes at the park's edge. There is no fee and no booking; Town parks are available for casual gatherings on a first-come, first-served basis, and dogs are welcome on a leash.

Changes ahead

The Town's five-year capital plan, as reported in 2024, schedules the park's playground equipment for replacement with a custom-built play area in 2027. Vail designs its playgrounds in-house with an artist on the team, so the new equipment should give Ellefson its own theme. Expect construction at some point that year.

Getting there

The park is on Garmisch Drive on the north side of West Vail. The free Town of Vail bus runs a West Vail loop; check the route map for the nearest stop. Other West Vail options include Buffehr Creek Park, with charcoal grills, and Stephens Park, where dogs may run off leash.

Sources: Town of Vail parks and playgrounds, Discover Vail parks and playgrounds, Vail Daily on Vail's playgrounds. Checked September 24, 2026.

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Contact Information

Company Name
Ellefson Park
Location
2300 Garmisch Dr
Vail, 81657

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About Ellefson Park

Quick answer: Ellefson Park is a park at 2300 Garmisch Dr, Vail, CO 81657. Ellefson Park: a small, free Town of Vail playground in West Vail with swings, slides, grassy fields, picnic tables and winter sledding hills.

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Ellefson Park is a small, quiet Town of Vail playground on Garmisch Drive in West Vail. It has swings, slides, big grassy fields and picnic tables, and in winter the small hills along its edge become an easy sledding spot for young children.

It suits families with toddlers and younger children staying in West Vail who want a calm alternative to the busy village playgrounds, and anyone after a simple picnic lawn close to home.

Summer and winter

In summer this is a swing-and-slide park with room to run on the lawns and picnic tables for a sunny afternoon. When snow falls, bring sleds for the gentle slopes at the park's edge. There is no fee and no booking; Town parks are available for casual gatherings on a first-come, first-served basis, and dogs are welcome on a leash.

Changes ahead

The Town's five-year capital plan, as reported in 2024, schedules the park's playground equipment for replacement with a custom-built play area in 2027. Vail designs its playgrounds in-house with an artist on the team, so the new equipment should give Ellefson its own theme. Expect construction at some point that year.

Getting there

The park is on Garmisch Drive on the north side of West Vail. The free Town of Vail bus runs a West Vail loop; check the route map for the nearest stop. Other West Vail options include Buffehr Creek Park, with charcoal grills, and Stephens Park, where dogs may run off leash.

Sources: Town of Vail parks and playgrounds, Discover Vail parks and playgrounds, Vail Daily on Vail's playgrounds. Checked September 24, 2026.

Parks Playgrounds Kids Activities Family Friendly Free Sledding West Vail things-to-do things-to-do/parks-gardens

Amenities at Ellefson Park

  • Playground
  • Swings
  • Slides
  • Grassy fields
  • Natural area
  • Shelter
  • Covered picnic tables
  • Restrooms
  • Grills
  • Winter sledding
  • Limited parking

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Ellefson Park?
At 2300 Garmisch Drive in West Vail, Colorado, in the Davos neighborhood on the north side of West Vail. It is a small Town of Vail neighborhood park. (The Town's picnic guide also lists the park as 2485 Garmisch Drive; it is the same park on Garmisch Drive.)
Does it cost anything, and do I need to book?
No. Ellefson Park is a free Town of Vail public park, and there is nothing to book for a casual visit, no tickets, reservations or operator. Just go.
What is there for children at Ellefson Park?
A small playground with swings and slides, set in grassy fields with picnic tables. It is a quiet neighborhood playground, best suited to younger children rather than a big destination play park.
Can you sled at Ellefson Park?
Yes, the Town itself says "in winter, bring a sled." The small hills along the edge of the park make an easy sledding spot for young children. It is a bring-your-own-sled neighborhood hill: there is no tubing run, lift, rental or fee.
Is there somewhere to picnic, and are there restrooms and grills?
Yes to all three. The Town's picnic inventory for Ellefson Park lists 3 covered tables and no open tables, restrooms, and grills, with parking about 300 feet away.
Can I bring my dog to Ellefson Park?
Yes, on a leash. Dogs are allowed on leashes in all Town of Vail parks except Ford Park, and Ellefson is a leash park, the town's off-leash program, where dogs may run under voice control, exists only at Bighorn Park in East Vail and Stephens Park in West Vail. Clean up after your dog, and bring your own waste bags even though bags are provided around town.
Where do I park, and how do I get there without a car?
Parking is limited, that is the Town's own note for this park, and the closest parking is about 300 feet from the picnic area, in a residential West Vail neighborhood, so follow the posted signs. Without a car, the free Town of Vail bus runs a West Vail loop; check the Town's bus map for the stop nearest Garmisch Drive.
Can I host a gathering or reserve the picnic shelter at Ellefson Park?
You can gather there, but you cannot reserve it: the Town makes Vail's parks available for gatherings on a first-come, first-served basis, and no reservation is published for Ellefson's covered tables or shelter. Alcohol for personal consumption is allowed in town parks.
Is the Ellefson Park playground being replaced?
Yes, on the Town's current capital plan. The Town schedules Ellefson Park Safety Improvements for 2027: replacement of the playground equipment, about 15 years old, with a custom build, deferred from 2025 to 2027, with the budget increased from $300,000 to $350,000. Expect construction at some point that year. Like Vail's other play areas, the new equipment is custom designed and built by the Town's team working with artists.

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