Bounded on three sides by the North St. Vrain Creek and sandstone cliffs, LaVern M. Johnson Park is a year-round community favorite. With an abundance of recreational opportunities, such as picnic areas, RV and tent camping, playground areas, the Lyons Whitewater Park, a splash pad, and an ice rink in the winter, the park is the perfect getaway to escape, and take in the beauty of Lyons!
The Whitewater Park beckons to kayakers and tubers to drop in and go for a ride. The quarter-mile horseshoe-shape park has 8 features that are spread out and contain big pools and eddies.
LaVern Johnson Park is also home to wonderful picnic areas and shelter facilities that can be rented for events or parties. The park also has RV camping with full hookups that runs year-round, as well as tent camping, which is available April 1 through October 15.
LaVern Johnson Park is closed to the public for the following dates:
July 22 through noon on July 27, 2026
August 6 through noon on August 10, 2026
LaVern Johnson Park is subject to capacity limits. Once capacity has been reached the front gates are closed and no more visitors are allowed in, with the exception of those with reservations for camping, a shelter, or a picnic table. Capacity is often reached by noon on the weekends.
Camping >>
Shelter Reservations >>
Picnic Tables/Day Use Reservations
Picnic Tables are only able to be reserved online for weekends and holidays during the summer season, via ReserveAmerica.com . Users will need to select day use to see which picnic spots are available for reservations.
Equipment Rentals
LaVern Johnson Park now has a concessionaire who will be at the park daily during the busy summer season to rent tubes, stand up paddle boards, life jackets, river shoes and dry bags.
Learn more and visit Rays River Rentals.
Parking >>
Ice Skating (winter) >>
