Walking Among the Dead: Finding Peace in Fairmount Cemetery
Let's just say it out loud: walking in a cemetery can feel a little weird at first.
Maybe even creepy. There's something about all those headstones, the stillness, the awareness that you're walking among people who lived entire lives—loved, struggled, celebrated, mourned. It can bring up emotions that aren't always easy or comfortable. Grief, mortality, the weight of what it means to be human.
But here's what I discovered on my recent walk through Fairmount Cemetery in Denver: it can also be one of the most beautiful, peaceful, reflective places to walk in the entire city.
A Different Kind of Walk
I showed up on a winter afternoon. It was overcast, calm and the kind of soft gray day that feels like the world is wrapped in quiet. The paths were clear, the roads mostly free from snow and ice.. I put in my headphones, cued up a calming playlist, and started moving.
And almost immediately I felt peaceful.
There's no traffic to dodge. No cyclists flying past. No need to stay hyper-alert or share the path. Just you, the trees, the headstones, the sky. It's a place that gives you permission to slow down and to just be. A wonderful place to think, to reflect, and to let go. A place to work through whatever you came there carrying.
Curiosity and History
But here's the thing—walking in a cemetery isn't just about quiet reflection. It's also fascinating. Fairmount is like walking through Colorado's history book. As you wander, you can get curious:
Who were these people?
What did they do?
How did they live their lives?
What kind of trees are these?
Fairmount Cemetery is Colorado's largest arboretum, home to hundreds of varieties of trees and roses spread across more than 800 acres. Established in 1890, it's a living museum of both people and plants. You'll find governors buried here, U.S. senators,and war heroes. You’ll also find local educational pioneer Emily Griffith, philanthropist Helen Bonfils, the Boettcher family, the Brown family and so many others who shaped this state.
You can find a full list of Fairmount's famous inhabitants online if you want to explore further and maybe plan your walk around specific gravesites.
Why Walk in a Cemetery?
If you're looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, a cemetery offers something unique. It's quiet without being isolating and reflective without being heavy. It's a place with minimal distractions, so whether you're walking for exercise, working through a problem, or simply letting go of stress, you can focus entirely on your walk.
And in winter? When snow and ice make sidewalks treacherous and trails impassable, cemeteries are often your best bet for a clear, safe path.
Yes, it might feel strange at first. Yes, it might bring up big feelings. But that's okay. Sometimes we need places that invite us to sit with those feelings, to honor them, to walk through them, literally.
An Invitation
So if you're feeling curious, if you need quiet, if you're looking for a winter walk that's both calming and interesting, I encourage you to try Fairmount or any cemetery. Bring your playlist or walk in silence. Stop to read the headstones or just keep moving. Learn about Colorado history or simply notice the trees.
Walk among the dead and remember what it means to be alive.
For more information on Fairmount check out their website here.
Have you ever walked in a cemetery? What was your experience like? I'd love to hear about it.
