You can enjoy it all without venturing far from the car, but the best experience is to take a hike. The loop mapped here begins on Creekside Trail, which is for hikers only (no mountain bikes) and has quite a few picnic tables along it. You can enjoy a packed lunch in the shade before setting out.

Cross the creek on Dipper Bridge, then join Bruin Bluff Trail for the tough part of the hike. It’s uphill, rocky in places, and on a sparsely treed hillside where the sun can be intense. The climb is brief, however, and not without reward. From this elevated vantage, you can see westward to peaks of the Rockies. The trail gets easier as it makes a descent back down to the creek. After crossing another bridge, turn on Creekside Trail once more and follow it toward the parking area, passing more idyllic picnic spots along the way. If you haven’t had your lunch by this point, it’s definitely the time.

Lair O’ The Bear Park is most popular in summer but is worth visiting at any time of year. Fall brings colors to the foliage. Winter brings ice to the creek and sometimes snow to the trails. A sunny day in winter can even be pleasant for a hike and a picnic. Note that some trails are shared with mountain bikers, though they should yield to hikers. Other trails in the park provide options for shorter or longer hikes than the one mapped here, so examine the map once you arrive and find the distance that’s right for you.

Sources: https://www.jeffco.us/1254/Lair-o-the-Bear-Park https://www.jeffco.us/DocumentCenter/View/9373/Lair-o-the-Bear-Park-Map