The Trails and Open Space Coalition (TOSC) is dedicated to advocating for parks and promoting responsible trail use. We created this resource to help you find new, less crowded spaces to visit in the Pikes Peak region. Please note, our suggestions below are generally less populated, however, with more people getting out and exploring, generally quiet trail may become crowded. If a parking lot is full, please find a different place to recreate or come back another time. It is important for us to be good stewards. If you can, please consider donating to the Trials and Open Space Coalition. We advocate for the creation and conservation of an interconnected network of trails and open spaces across the Pikes Peak region. You can help protect and maintain our trails and open spaces.
Thanks to the following businesses for supporting this project
Use the interactive map below to view activities or browse each category by clicking the buttons to the right.
Interactive map
Walks
ACACIA TO ALAMO: ART WALK
An easy 1.5 mile walk linking two of Downtown’s historical parks. Along Tejon Street, there are dozens of statues and murals to stop at and view. This walk is perfect for people looking for an easy urban walk and families with strollers.
ADAMS OPEN SPACE – FOUNTAIN
This quiet open space is nestled in downtown Fountain. Wide, hard-packed trails lead you throughout the open space. The trail from the library to the bridge leading into John Metcalf Park was just under a mile. Lots of beautiful trees and nice views of the gentle Jimmy Camp Creek. Great option for a playground-free family adventure or a quiet 2 mile run.
BEAR CREEK
Some parts of Bear Creek can be crowded, but we checked out the smaller trails meandering through the hills on the west side of the park. The second parking lot on Argus Blvd had tons of open spots and had easy access to a network of smaller and quieter trails. (Note: we did encounter a few bikes on these small trails, so be prepared to step off the trail to make way). The east side of the park was also quiet, but the main trail by the gardens was slightly crowded, so we’d suggest avoiding that area. Lots of other areas to explore!
BEAR CREEK PARK EAST
Great destination for families because it’s flat and there’s a creek. Several parking lots off W. Rio Grande near El Paso County Parks office. Plus you might see horses at the Equestrian Skills Course. Enjoy!
blair bridge open spACE
A good nearby alternative to the Garden of the Gods for a quick walk or for access to the Foot Hills trail. Blair Bridge Open Space is located on 31st street, a mile north of the entrance into the Garden of the Gods. A wide hard surface trail starts from a good sized parking lot. A tunnel connects to the Foot Hills trail, the trail going left into the open space goes north and south. This route goes north through the narrow track of land. The trail goes in a straight line up a hill that will give you a work out. There are great views of the Garden of the Gods to the south, Rampart Range to the west and city views to the north. This is recommended for families and people looking for a quick walk or jog.
BOULDER PARK WALK
499 N Hancock Ave Colorado Springs, CO 80903
This quick less than 2 mile loop is mild and flat, primarily on sidewalks. Shooks Run Trail is 12 miles long, you could extend your walk. Parking is available at Boulder or Mid Shooks Run Park.
Cheyenne Meadows Park & Fishers Canyon Creek Path
Neighborhood park that has picnic tables, benches, playground/basketball courts and large grass field. There is a .25 mile concrete path around the park. Fishers Canyon Creek Path is a small dirt path leading from the southern part of the park and goes east to Eastmeadow Rd. South of Cheyenne Meadows is a dog park next to Antero Elementary.
Cottonwood Creek Trail Loop
This is an urban 2.7 mile loop using natural and concrete paths/trails with 288 feet of elevation gain. Ample parking at Woodland Hills Park and with numerous neighborhood points of access. Great views of Cottonwood Creek and Pikes Peak. This trail is perfect for people looking for easy jogging and biking, birding and dog walking.
Fountain Creek Nature Center
The Fountain Creek Nature Center offers a .7 mile, stroller/wheelchair friendly loop. From the loop you can connect to Fountain Creek Regional Trail, which follows the creek and offers some great views and some spits for you to dip your feet in the gentle waters. Also a great spot for bird watching! We’d recommend starting at the Nature Center, as the parking lot tends to only have a few cars.
Fountain Creek Regional Park Loop
We found a nice, flat 1/2 mile loop at the Fountain Creek Regional Park. We were there on a beautiful spring day and we saw more geese than people. But if the trail happens to be crowded when you arrive, there is plenty of open space to spread out in the middle of the park. Great option if you’re looking for a place to walk with a stroller, teach your son to hopscotch, or fly a kite (activities of the few people we saw during our walk).
Garden of the Gods – Little known trail into GOG
While The “Central Garden” may be too crowded to allow “social distancing”, this little known trail provides views and solitude. Explore the Niobrara Trail on the Southeast side of the park.
Homestead Trail and high chaparral Open Space
Stetson Hills Blvd, Colo Springs, CO 80917
This moderate 3 mile trek takes you out on the Homestead Trail and shows you an access point for a loop in High Chaparral Open Space. High Chaparral Open Space has a small parking lot which provides convenient access for both the Homestead Trail and the Open Space. So, you have great options for taking a hike or a walk.
LA FORET TRAIL
La Foret Trail starts at Mary Kyler Park and meanders through beautifully landscaped neighborhoods. Neighborhood parks offer fun places to stop and explore, such as sand pits and ponds, making this a great family-friendly walk.
Memorial to Memorial Walk
Most people use the trail around Prospect lake for their outdoor exercise. But if you’re looking for a quieter more reflective 2+ mile activity, consider our Memorial to Memorial walk. We start at the fire fighter Memorial in the north west corner of the park and make our way to the Peace Officers’ and Veterans’ Memorials. If you haven’t had an opportunity to spend time at these three memorials in one of our most popular parks, we urge you to do so!
Monument Valley Park Loop
There is a paved parking lot on Mesa Road. The 1 mile loop starts with a walk through the Demonstration Garden and continues onto the wide dirt trail heading north. You will walk by a small pond and a rose garden highlighted by a huge American Elm tree. You will connect back to the sidewalk and head north to Uintah. You will turn east on Uintah and walk along the bridge. At the end of the bridge, you take a right back onto the trail and head south past Colorado College until you hit Mesa Road. From this point, you will finish by going over the Mesa Road Bridge back to the parking lot. This walk is perfect for families, stroller walks, jogging, dog walking and more.
northern stetson hill open space loop
This northeastern open space, near Peterson and Dublin, is the perfect place for a quick 20 minute walk or jog. There is a large dirt parking lot for public use next to the Fire Station. The first half of the loop is on the wide natural surface Sand Creek trail. The second half of the loop is a 4 foot wide natural surface trail that sneaks through a meadow along Sand Creek. This open space has a great view of the Front Range and is great for wildlife and wildflowers.
Palmer Lake Loop
Easy, short walk for families. Three parking lots provide plenty of space for cars. Access the loop from Highway 105 or County line Rd. You might see fishermen and kayaks/paddleboards enjoying this pretty little spring-fed lake.
Parks of Old Colorado City Loop
Old Colorado City is an excellent place to walk. With three historic parks and plenty of street-side art, there is plenty to take in for everyone. This walk starts at Bancroft Park and goes down Colorado Ave before cutting south to Vermijo Park. After walking through the massive tree lined green space, the loop goes back to Colorado Ave before making a turn south to Blunt Park. This little park has a basketball court and large trees. The loop ends with coming back to Bancroft Park.
Pinion Valley Park Stroll
This gem of a neighborhood park is located behind Ute Valley Park in the Pinion Valley neighborhood. It has easy access and ample on-street parking located around 3 sides and has multiple ADA pedestrian ramps. The sidewalk paths make a wonderful and kiddo-friendly figure 8 of 1.6 miles in length and there are multiple benches located along for resting and taking in the wonderful views. A bonus is access to Ute Valley Park just up Pinion Park Drive that allows a short walk up to the overlook that has a beautiful view of the park and out to the east.
Pioneer Park Wandering
Pioneer Park is a hidden gem and is tucked into the neighborhood along Mesa Road. There are a few access points, but the easiest neighborhood parking is along Panorama Drive. The park is nestled into the neighborhood and has a paved trail around 3 of it’s sides with a natural surface section needed to complete the loop. The grassy area is not expansive, but large enough to allow for spread-out family activities and picnics. While compact, there is ample space to let children wander and be on the lookout for the resident family of squirrels in the treeline along the western edge and the many birds that call it home. One of the most notable features is the very well-done monument to the early pioneers that called the Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak region home, be sure to spend a few minutes enjoying the stonework and see if you recognize any of the names engraved into the granite.
Rampart Park
ROCK ISLAND TRAIL – N MURRAY BLVD
We like this section of Rock Island trail because it’s got a little something for everyone. It’s paved, making it perfect for bikes and strollers. It also has a dirt path that runs parallel, perfect for solo runners. There’s sone railroad history and some cool rocks to explore. The trail intersects with some bridal trails, so you might even see some horses.
ROCK LEDGE RANCH RAMBLE
History is the focus of this walk at the Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site. This park just south of Garden of the Gods features farm animals, historic buildings and, during the summer, guides provide demonstrations of life on the farm during the 1800’s. Great for kids.
SAND CREEK NEAR BARNES
Where the paved portion of the Northern Sand Creek trail begins. Take a right out of the parking lot and take a half mile walk on a dirt trail or take a left and connect to the paved Sand Creek Trail. Slight uphill walk following the Sand Creek.
Sand Creek East Fork Trail
Sand Creek Trail from Stetson Park
Stetson Park is a great place to access the Sand Creek Trail. There are a variety of routes you can take, and you can make your walk as long or as short as you need. You can simply do a half mile loop around the park. Or you can access the Sand Creek Trail and do a 1 mile loop to the duckpond and back. Or you can extend your walk north towards Dublin. Great option for families.
Santa Fe Stroll
Looking for something short and scenic? The Santa Fe Trail Stroll might be a good fit. Trailhead along Old Denver Highway south of 2nd. Community art, interpretive signs, a growing orchard plus benches and tables. Enjoy!
Shooks Run from Good Neighbors Meeting House
As with many urban trails, sections of Shooks Run can get congested during peak times. We recommend checking out this walk in the morning. You will be rewarded with a whimsical walk through a warm and welcoming neighborhood, where most users practice responsible physical distancing practices.
SINTON TRAIL
Great options for a quick 20 minute walk (up to the pond and back) or for a longer 3.5 mile family walk. Trail is paved and crosses only 2 small streets. Slight uphill on way out with great views, but all downhill on the way back! Easy access from parking lot with tons of parking.
Skyline Trail
Wolf Lake Walk
Parks
Audubon Park
Candleflower/Meadow Ridge Loop – Via Briargate Trail
Cumbre Vista Park
Dublin Park
Dublin Park is a quiet neighborhood park that offers wide open spaces and a quick connection to Cottonwood Creek Trail. A great place to let the kids explore and play in the trees. A paved trail goes around the perimeter of the park making a nice half mile loop.
Explorer Park and the Briargate Trail
Explorer Park is located near Rangewood and Austin Bluffs. There is street parking by Explorer Elementary. Explorer Park has a great figure 8 loop through the park and has a large grass field and wild undeveloped area with dry chaparral habitat. There is a connecting path to the longer regional Briargate trail. This route goes down the wide dirt portion of this trail until Research before coming back to the park.
Fairfax Park to Buckskin Charlie Park
George Fellows Park
5550 N Union Blvd, Colo Springs, CO 80918
Delightful neighborhood park ideal for spreading out. Enjoy a mild .5 mile walking trail surrounded by wide open grass fields. Conveniently located behind East Library, this park has lots of easy access points. It is a great place for yoga, walking the dog, flying a kite or just spending some time in the sunshine. It also has a playground, sculpture and gardens.
Giberson Park
Giberson Park is a small neighborhood park located near Jetwing and Hancock. The highlights of this park include a large field that would be perfect for picnics, kite flying, throwing a ball around or nature journaling. There is street parking on Wylie Lane.
Henry Park
A visit to John Metcalf Memorial Park in Fountain can be chock-full of adventure as there are multiple options for families on foot. A great grass expanse is perfect for a picnic or family game and the trail that runs around the park can take you south to the bridge linking this park to the Adams Open Space and a crawdad-catching experience for the young ones in the beautiful and very accessible creek way. While mostly natural surface trails are around the exterior, there is a nice paved loop that takes you in and around the large pavilion and would be stroller friendly for families and the walks can be from short loops to a longer 1.5+ tour.
John Venezia Park
3555 Briargate Pkwy, Colo Springs, 80920
Looking for a short hike with dogs or kids? Check out John Venezia Park. The park itself can become crowded, but you can access the trails from the southern side. We started our 1-mile hike from the Academy International Elementary School. In the spring you can see a wide variety of birds and flowers.
Keller Park
A quiet neighborhood park with lots of space to spread out. Flat fields for playing with a ball or flying a kite, three playgrounds, softball field, and hills for sledding.
Laura Gilpin Park
Mary Kyer Park/La Foret Trail
Located near the intersection of Voyager and Middle Creek Parkway. This is a hidden gem with a nice pond at Mary Kyer Park along with a nice wide cement walking path, large athletic field and basketball courts. Near the school, along the walking path, there are different work out stations that involve touching no equipment. The path transitions to the 8 ft wide concrete La Foret trail. This trail is an out and back 2.1 mile trail that passes several ponds and nice natural areas.
Meadowlark Park
Meadowlark Park has street parking on Dickens Drive near Chelton and Hancock. This is a long a narrow park with an excellent .4 mile walking path looping around the park. There is nice big grass field and a basketball court.
Mountain Shadows Park Loop
Nancy Lewis Park
The perfect park for a leisurely afternoon stroll, a family picnic, or some duck watching! The park’s most popular and unique feature is the pond, which is home to a variety of ducks and geese. Be sure to check it out!
Oak Valley Ranch Park
Oak Valley Ranch Park is a quiet neighborhood park at the base of Waldo Canyon. There’s a well-maintained quarter-mile paved trail around the park perfect for a short run or a kids bike ride. The park itself offers wide open spaces that are perfect for kids and dogs (ok, and adults) to run and play. Great views to admire and lush grass on which to relax!
OTERO PARK
A small neighborhood park perfect for an afternoon stroll. There is a 1/4 mile paved path that runs the perimeter of the park. The park is adjacent to a small open space with short, dirt trails -perfect for smaller kids to explore!
Penrose Park
Penrose Park is a beautiful neighborhood park with spaces for everything you want to do. Large flat fields for kicking the ball, pills for the kids to run up and down, and a nice meandering paved path for a short walk.
Quail Lake Park
A 1 mile loop on a hard packed trail. The park has two parking lots: one by the boat launch and one by the playground. They are small lots, so if they are crowded, please consider coming on another day! This is a great trail for runners trying to get a few miles in or a family going for a 20 minute walk. Lots to see. We saw a bunny, some fish, so many different birds, a bird’s nest, some art, ducks,and two fishermen (practicing social distancing)…all in a mile!
Reflection Pond Near Chapel Hills and Research
One of the few neighborhood parks with a pond, a great park with a .3 mile walking path with ample benches. This park is perfect for wildlife viewing, forest bathing, easy walking, stroller walking and photography.
Soaring Eagles Park
Near Hancock and Powers, this Southeast neighborhood park has a .3 mile sidewalk path around the park. Along with a big grass field and a sports court, there are plenty of ways to use this park. Large boulders are near the baseball backstop, perfect for nature play. There is street parking on Tory Ridge Drive.
Vista Park in Banning Lewis Ranch
A quiet neighborhood park with impressive amenities. Dog park, large playground, music playground, wide walking paths (natural surface for jogging available), flat fields, pickleball courts and large parking lot. There is access to a larger network of natural surface trails through neighborhood open space from this park.
Wasson Park
Widefield Community Park
Wild Rumpus Park
WILDFLOWER PARK
Wildflower Park is located in the heart of Southeast Colorado Springs. There is a network of paved paths throughout the park. The exterior trails make a nice 1 mile loop with an option to connect to the Sand Creek Trail. Lots of open space for kids to run and play, along with great mountain views!
Windmill Mesa Park
Windmill Mesa Park is a Widefield Parks and Recreation park located on Fencer Road near the intersection of Bradley and Grinnell. This neighborhood park has a nice sidewalk that loops around the park, a large grass field, pickleball courts and a basketball court. This park is nice for walking and jogging (3 laps equal 1 mile).
Bike Rides
Bluestem Prairie Open Space
6254 Goldfield Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80911
Bluestem has a small parking lot off Goldfield Dr. There are no services, so please follow Leave No Trace practices and plan ahead. Bluestem Prairie Open Space is 650 acres of prairie land and is home to a variety of wildlife, including: pronghorn, black-tailed prairie dogs, snakes and birds like the red-tailed hawk, burrowing owl and migratory shorebirds. Due to abundant wildlife, dogs are not allowed. Big Johnson Reservoir is a key feature to this thriving open space (not accessible). Bluestem has 8+ miles of trail, it is an excellent place for beginner mountain bikers to get a taste of dirt single-track. Hiking and birding are best done in the first 2 miles near the reservoir. This area is very exposed, so avoid visiting during the heat of the day and be sure to bring water.
CREWS GULCH TRAIL IN WIDEFIED – JOHN CERESA PARK
The Crews Gulch Trail is a beautiful 5.2 mile round trip, easily accessed from the lightly used John Ceresa Memorial Park, located right along the Fountain Creek Regional Trail. This neighborhood trail climbs gently up and takes you to the Widefield Community Park which has a wonderful disc golf course, multiple smooth trail options and access to the creekway flowing through the center. The trail ends (turnaround point) at Fontaine Blvd and Fountain Mesa and the Blue Stem Prairie Open Space is just down the road about .5 miles.
This 6 mile route provides a wonderful way to incorporate a fully-paved off-street bike ride option for individuals and families in the Briargate area. The start location is at John Stone Park next to the Briargate YMCA. The off-street trail and wide sidewalks provide a connection to the Cordera neighborhood and a tour of 4 different local parks and 1 wetland open space properties. This is a fun tour with just a little bit of climbing and is suited for youth that can ride independently, just exercise caution at the main signalized crossings.
Fountain Creek Regional Trail Ramble
While the facility is closed, there is ample parking along the street next to the El Pomar Youth Sports Park. From there you can access the Pikes Peak Greenway Trail and head south, where the trail quickly enters El Paso County and the name becomes the Foutain Creek Regional Trail. This beautiful trail is natural surface and quite wide, being appropriate for bikes with wider tires, but riders of all abilities as it has a gentle grade with very few short climbs. The 6.2 mile route takes you along the western side of Fountain Creek with abundant beautiful views and places to stop and experience the rich diversity of the riparian habitat. Turn around at the trailhead location just north of the Academy Boulevard underpass and return the same way you came, albeit slightly slower as you are pedaling upstream. There are no restrooms available along the trail through this area limited services.
Fountain Creek Regional Trail – John Ceresa Memorial Park
John Ceresa Memorial Park is the jumping-off point of this 6.2 mile ride along the Fountain Creek Regional Trail. This small park has parking that is less busy that the Willow Springs Ponds area just south of here and is a great place to access the trail. The route takes you through the Willow Springs Ponds and Fishing area, be mindful of good trail etiquette as it can be a popular spot for families and people fishing. Continuing south, you’ll reach the Fountain Creek Nature Center and access to Fountain Creek Regional Park where there are many smaller trails to explore, benches along the trail to rest and a number of nature viewing structures with information about the wildlife that call the park home. The turn-around spot is the trailhead at the southeastern edge of the park, which is also an alternate starting place for this ride, which would give you a downhill route on the return leg. One of the wonderful things about the Fountain Creek Regional Trail is the many different ways it can be enjoyed.
Hibbard and Heritage Parks are both great single destinations for families in the Fountain area, but have the added benefit of being connected by a wonderful natural surface trail that allows for a fun walk exploring the greenway between. Additionally visitors can access the natural surface trail running along Jimmy Camp Creek to tour south and connect to John Metcalf Memorial Park to extend the experience, enjoying a fun creek crossing or two along the way that is nearly 5 miles in length. Hibbard Park has a great short paved loop and multiple neighborhood connections and is very stroller-friendly.
HIGH CHAPARRAL OPEN SPACE
Stetson Hills Blvd, Colo Springs, CO 80917
High Chaparral is 52 acres of open space. The trail system is well marked and offers a few different loops, the largest outer loop is roughly 2 miles. There is a small parking lot off of Stetson Hills Blvd and on street parking in old farm neighborhood.
HOMESTEAD TO ROCK ISLAND TO SHOOKS RUN TRAIL
Stetson Hills Blvd, Colo Springs, CO 80917
Did you know you can get from Northeast COS to Downtown on trails? This route shows off the Homestead Trail which leads to the Rock Island Trail which connects to Shooks Run Trail. It starts at the small parking lot off Stetson Hills Blvd also used for access to High Chaparral Open Space. Homestead trail is not an easy ride, it has rolling hills and the trail ranges from dirt to concrete to eroding asphalt. But it has some great views, several neighborhood connections, and quite a few parks. Homestead trail terminates at Radiant Dr. To get to Rock Island Trail you have to travel about 0.8 mile on streets/sidewalks. Turn left at Radiant Dr to keep heading south. Turn right on Maizeland Rd. Cross over Academy Blvd, at this point you might be tempted to go visit Palmer Park. Or turn left on Academy and cruise down the wide sidewalk to Rock Island Trail; which is on the south side of Constitution Ave. The Rock Island Trail runs East/West, to get downtown turn right and head west towards Pikes Peak. After about 3.5 miles the Rock Island Trail leads into Shooks Run Trail which runs North/South. Shooks Run has several street crossings, please follow the signs and cross safely at designated intersections. This journey ends just after Middle Shooks Run Park, but you could continue south on the trail for another 1.5 miles, or with a little more street riding you can hop on the Pikes Peak Greenway.
LEGACY LOOP CRUISIN’
This mostly flat 9.5 mile route takes in the Pikes Peak Greenway and Shooks Run Trails making a loop around downtown Colorado Springs along the beautiful creekways, using the on-street connections on north and south to #LinkTheLoop
Monument Valley Park Loop
170 W Cache La Poudre St, Colo Springs, 80903
Monument Valley Park is a beautiful, historic and recreational park. The gardens, ponds, playgrounds, sports courts & fields, swimming pool, historic geological structures… this park has it all! Take a mild 5 mile loop all the way around this fantastic park. We think everyone should visit this park, that’s why it made the list for our 20|20 Parks Challenge. #tosc2020challenge
OLD FARM PARK
Old Farm Cir W, Colo Springs, CO 80917
Great neighborhood park with on street parking and access to Homestead Trail. Take a steep 0.8 mile hike or ride up to the top of the ridge. It has an awesome view of the neighborhood and Pikes Peak.
Pikes Peak Greenway to Cottonwood to Homestead Trail
Colorado Springs is lucky to have such an amazing trail system! From TOSC’s office it takes less than a mile to hop on the Pikes Peak Greenway / Front Range Trail. This is the best non motorized highway in town. It travels from Monument all the way to Fountain, with plans to one day travel all along the Front Range of Colorado. It traverses several parks and connects to many other trails allowing our city to commute on foot or on bike. Last year our city made a grand connection with the Cottonwood Creek Trail, finally linking NE COS to the Greenway. Cottonwood continues to expand to the East and will eventually link up with the Sand Creek Trail. This journey takes advantage of the link to the Homestead Trail. Enjoy.
PRING RANCH PARK AND STETSON HILLS OPEN SPACE
5264 Prairie Grass Ln, Colo Springs, CO 80922
Stetson Hills Open Space has a mild dirt single track trail that is roughly 1/2 mile long. There are several neighborhood access points along the way and it connects into Pring Ranch Park. Good park with open field, play ground, basketball court and swings.
SAND CREEK TRAIL IN SOUTHEAST COLORADO SPRINGS
This section of the Sand Creek Trail in Southeast Colorado Springs is a wonderful family-friendly 3.6 mile bike ride (and walk) and is easily accessed by biking or walking in from Wildflower Park, a beautiful park itself. The wide paved trail takes you across a beautiful bridge and allows connection to Sagebrush Park a little over 1/2 mile north. Additional length can be had by continuing south on the trail beyond Fountain Blvd. There is a great pavilion and benches located along the trail and a permanent bathroom facility located on the north end of Wildflower Park.
Hikes
AUSTIN BLUFFS Open Space FROM UNIVERSITY PARK BLV
University Park Blvd, Colo Springs, 80918
Great option if you are looking for a quick 20 minute hike with the kids. Lots of places to stop and explore. This trail connects to a network of trails, so you can extend your hike. Easy to access from on street parking on University Park Blvd.
AUSTIN BLUFFS OPEN SPACE – Sherpa Trail
Parking for Sherpa Trail Colo Springs, 80918
There is a small paved parking lot for public use near the west end of Rockhurst Blvd and Marconi Heights. This route is a moderate to challenging route that involves narrow single track trails, drop offs, plenty of cactus and the possibility of rattle snakes in the summer. The route follows paths that go around the Colorado Springs Utilities complex, UCCS owned land and an antennae farm. Respect the no trespassing signs along the route. A series of trails branch out, each taking you to a different overlook. This trail is perfect for rock lovers, view seekers and hikers.
BLACK FOREST REGIONAL PARK LOOP HIKE
4800 Shoup Rd, Colo Springs, 80908
Black Forest Regional Park is on the corner of Shoup Rd. and Milam Rd. With 3 parking lots, this 385 acre park offers 8 miles of fairly wide rolling trails. Wear sunscreen and bring water. Enjoy! View Trail Map
Cheyenne Mt State Park – Coyote Run Trail
410 JL Ranch Heights Rd, Colo Springs, 80926
Coyote Run trail is one of the easier loop trails in Cheyenne Mountain State Park. With a $9 day use park pass, you can park in the picnic parking lot and hike the 1.6 mile trail that is usually quiet. This trail passes through scrub oak, dry grass habitat and has amazing 360 degree views. Birding and wildflowers are amazing along this trail and there are occasional wildlife sightings as well. Be mindful of rattlesnakes in warm weather.
CHEYENNE MT STATE PARK – Sundance Trail
410 JL Ranch Heights Rd, Colo Springs, 80926
Hiking in the wintertime in Colorado Springs, you bet! On Sunday, January 10th TOSC staff member Allen Beauchamp joined local hiking guru “Hiking Bob” Falcone for a nearly 4 mile hike along the Sundance Trail in Cheyenne Mountain State Park. Bob is one of the volunteer Trail Ambassadors for the park and loves to highlight how accessible the trails are year-round. The Sundance trail in particular is very well-suited to winter exploration as it includes gentle grades and predominantly open trail sections. With a light to moderate covering of snow, the hiking is beautiful and winter hiking or snow boots are all that is needed most days, but be sure to take traction devices with you on the hike in case of the occasional icy patch. If we’ve had more significant snowfall, the Sundance Trail is also great for snowshoe use and can be navigated by beginners looking to try a new wintertime activity. Cheyenne Mountain State Park has excellent facilities and the Limekiln Trailhead access for the Sundance Trail has bathroom accommodations and a play area for children so the entire family can have a place to recreate regardless of hiking ability.
CHEYENNE MT STATE PARK – TALON TRAIL
410 JL Ranch Heights Rd, Colo Springs, 80926
Cheyenne Mountain State Park has 20+ miles of well marked trails, good place for hiking, biking and trail running. This 6.5 mile route follows the Talon Trail to South Talon and loops back on North Talon. Please note that due to abundant wildlife in the area, dogs are not allowed on most of the trails in this park. State Parks Pass is required. Link to Trail Map
CHeyenne Mt State Park – ZOOK TRAIL
410 JL Ranch Heights Rd, Colo Springs, 80926
Cheyenne mountain state parks the trail is perfect for a family hike. Zook Trail is one of many interconnected trails that give you many options from a quick .5 mile loop to a multi-trail longer hike. The trails are well marked, making it easy to navigate the network of trails. Perfect for users newer to hiking. Note: there is a $9 fee per vehicle to enter the park.
Falcon Regional Park
Eastonville Rd, Elbert, 80106
Located along Eastonville Road in Falcon, CO, Falcon Regional Park has several short trail options through grassland prairie. The park is mostly flat with impressive 360 degree views of the plains. A large parking lot located near the baseball fields is the starting point for your walk or jog. There is a large dog park just north of the baseball fields.
FAMILY HIKE AT CLEAR SPRING RANCH
An El Paso County Open Space south of Fountain, CO off of I-25 near PPIR. Easy hiking with a .8 mile loop trail through grassland and cottonwoods along Fountain Creek. Opportunities for longer hikes exist using the marked Front Range trail. Excellent covered picnic area with pit bathrooms. Great family hike with large tire strollers, birding/wildlife/wildflower viewing.
Fox Run Ramble
15926 Roller Coaster Rd, Colo Springs, 80921
With 4 miles of system trails it’s easy to “Get Out and Spread Out” in Fox Run Regional Park. Parking is available off Roller Coaster, Stella Drive and along the interior driving loop. With two ponds, two dog parks and large sports fields; plenty of recreation to be had!
Garden of the Gods – Cabin Canon Trail
1087 Garden Dr, Colo Springs, 80919
This Garden of the Gods hike is an alternative to the busy Central Garden area. This trail is .5 miles long and is easy/moderate in difficulty due to loose rocks, drop offs and slippery areas to navigate. This trail is in the same area as the busier Siamese Twins trail, but goes off to the west of this famous rock formation. The highlights of Cabin Canon include great rock formations, views of Pikes Peak and wide areas to spread out. Parking is in the Siamese Twins Parking Lot. Trails Map for Garden of the Gods
Garden of the Gods – Ridge Trail
GARDEN OF THE GODS – Ute Trail
Ute Trail can be accessed by Parking Lot 10 in Garden of the Gods (Map). We usually go in the late afternoon and this lot is generally not crowded. Ute Trail is approximately a 1 mile loop, but you can branch off an explore other trails for a longer hike.
Homestead Ranch Park
16444 Gollihar Rd, Peyton, CO 80831
Homestead Ranch is the perfect place for families with kids. The park features several miles of easy-moderate hiking trails (not necessarily stroller friendly), a pond, picnic tables under pavilions, a playground, wide open fields for playing ball, and bathrooms. The trails are loops, so you can customize the length of your hike.
16444 Gollihar Rd, Peyton, CO 80831
LINCOLN MT OPEN SPACE HIKE
7333 Jones Rd, Larkspur, 80118
876 acres with meadows and rolling grasslands. This open space and its large parking lot is rarely crowded. Just inside Douglas County off Highway 83 on Jones Rd., there is an open bathroom and several trail options for all ages and abilities.
Lincoln Mtn Lower Loop
7333 Jones Rd, Larkspur, 80118
Lincoln Mountain Open Space is just over the Douglas County border near Highway 83. Big parking lot. The lower loop becomes a natural playground for your family with cool rocks and trees for scrambling and a small creek to play in. Hours a fun plus an open bathroom!
Lori Cohen Memorial 5K Trail
760 North Campus Heights
The Lori Cohen Memorial 5K Trail on the campus of UCCS is a quiet option for hikers, bikers and runners. This easy/moderate 3.4 mile dirt singletrack loop trail with 1,300 of elevation gain is open to the public with free parking available in UCCS lot 580 near the intersection of North Nevada Avenue and North Campus Heights. The trailhead is a very short walk up North Campus Heights from the parking lot. Highlights: geologic features/hoodoos, historic cultural sites, Heller Center and some of the best panoramic views of the Front Range. There are a handful of access points from this trail that lead into Austin Bluffs Open Space. There are no public restrooms. There are a series of benches to rest along the way.
Monument Lake
MONUMENT ROCK HIKE
Mt Herman Rd, Monument, 80132
Just west of Monument on Mt Herman Road. Several parking options available. Short, medium and long hikes. Undulating terrain, a pond, rock, pine forest, wetlands, old cabin ruins – Monument Preserve has it all!
MT HERMAN HIKE
This moderate to difficult hike takes you to the top of Mt Herman. Hiking poles and hiking boots recommended. Rough road to trailhead. Limited parking. But so worth it!
NORTH CATAMOUNT RESERVOIR
Looking for a quiet place to hike with the family? Escape to the North Catamount Reservoir for some solitude and beautiful views. Note, there is a access fee, $5 per person (age 16 and older), and parking is limited. We went in the early afternoon, which we’ve been told is when you can expect it to be less crowded. Easy trails with lots of places along the way for kids to stop, play and explore.
CLOSED for WINTER
PALMER PARK – Lazy Land
A quiet area on the northeast side of Palmer Park. Street parking on Brenner PL. This .6 mile narrow natural surface route is moderate due to quick elevation gain and rocks to navigate. Fantastic views and awesome rock formations highlight this urban wilderness. Recommended for weekday early morning hikes.
PALMER PARK – Mesa Trail
3650 Maizeland Rd, Colo Springs, 80909
Palmer Park has a dog park and an off leash area. The off leash area is located at Yucca Flats trailhead (turn off for Lazy Land). This is a favorite for a lot of people, so please recreate responsibly. We recommend visiting 6:00 – 8:00 AM or PM to help avoid crowding. Mesa trail is about 2.5 miles of doggie heaven. Well behaved dogs are welcome to play and explore off leash! Please note there are no fences. Trail Map of Palmer Park.
PALMER PARK – TEMPLETON TRAIL
3650 Maizeland Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80909 (Maizeland Rd and N Academy Blvd).
This park was donated to the city by General Palmer in 1899. At 730.7 acres in size, the park contains over 25 miles of trails for horseback riding, mountain biking, and hiking. Trails are generally single track, but there are also double track trails and dirt road trails. The terrain is rocky and hard-packed dirt. Templeton trail is rated as moderate to difficult for hikers and black diamond for mountain bikers. View Map.
PINERIES OPEN SPACE
13201 Vollmer Rd, Colo Springs, 80908
El Paso County’s newest Open Space is 1000+ acres just northeast of the intersection of Vollmer and Shoup Rds. Shaped like a doughnut, it wraps around fenced private property. Non-motorized multi-use, the 9 mile trail is soft and narrow so watch for cyclists and horses. An “up and back” for most users. Not an easy trail for strollers.
Rainbow Falls Historic Site
Serpentine Dr Manitou Springs, 80829
Red Rocks Trail (Trail 708)
Rockrimmon Open Space
72 Saddlemountain Rd Colo Springs, 80919
Looking for some solitude? You can easily lose yourself exploring Rockrimmon Open Space for an hour or more. Lots of wide open spaces and a variety of dirt footpaths throughout.
Sandstone Ranch Open Space
9604 S. Perry Park Rd Larkspur, 80118
Sandstone Ranch is Douglas County’s newest 2000 acre open space. From Palmer Lake head north on Highway 105 @7 miles north of the intersection of Spruce Rd and Highway 105 on your left. With 7 miles of multi-use, non-motorized trail it’s definitely worth exploring and a great winter destination.
Smith Creek Natural Area
Meadowgrass Dr, Colo Springs, 80921
Smith Creek Natural Area has a main trail with smaller single tracks that loop around the Natural area. There is street parking on Meadowgrass Drive. The highlights of this area are great views, wildlife/wildflower viewing, photography opportunities and hiking. Because this is a natural space, please stay on trails and respect wildlife’s space.
SONDERMANN PARK
740 W Caramillo St, Colo Springs 80907
Sondermann Park is a great option if you are looking for a 1/2 hour – 1 hour hike or a run. Bikes and horses are not allowed on the network of small trails throughout the park, so pedestrians, you’ve got the trails to yourselves! One of the quietest network of trails you can find. The park connects with the longer Mesa Valley Trail.
Southern Blodgett Open Space
South Blodgett Parking Colo Springs, 80919
Parking in small dirt lot off of Woodmen Road near Orchard Valley Road. This hike is a very challenging .7 mile hike with both a steep uphill and downhill portion. There are amazing 360 degree views, wildlife and wildflowers in the spring. For this hike, I went up the South Blodgett trail and came down the Oak Valley trail (no signage present).
SPRUCE MOUNTAIN OPEN SPACE
13415 S Spruce Mountain Rd, Larkspur, CO 80118
Spruce Mountain open Space offers short and long hikes. Just 3 miles north of Palmer Lake on Spruce Mountain Rd. Dogs must be on a leash. Large parking lot.
Stratton Open Space
1504 Ridgeway Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80906
Stratton Open Space has a large network of small trails that are generally pretty quiet. The times we’ve been, trail users have been considerate and practiced good social distancing. Great trails for older kids to explore.
SUNSET MESA Trail
Flintridge Dr, Colo Springs, 80918
This is a 2.5 mile trail through the Sunset Mesa Open Space. Easy to moderate hike with very little traffic. Narrow dirt footpath that can get a bit muddy. Stunning views and interesting rock formations.
*Please note the main access point to this open space is on Flintridge. There is a well established social trail on private property, please do not use this trail. The official access point 100 feet to the north, it can be hard to find due to overgrowth.
Ute Valley Park Hike
1705 Vindicator Dr, Colo Springs, 80919
Moderate 2.5 mile hike on dirt trails with awesome views of pikes peak, geological features and archaeological resources. Ute Valley Park is 538 acres with numerous multi-use trail options varying greatly in character and level of physical challenge. This park is popular for hiking, mountain biking, trail running and dog walking.
UTE VALLEY East
Ute Valley Trailhead, Colo Springs, 80919
Ute Valley Park East Side. Much less crowded than west side. Access from I-25 Rockrimmon exit. Past Pro Rodeo Drive. Left on Ute Valley Trail. Trailhead just past roundabout.
Woodmen Valley Park and the Ridgeline Trail
W Woodmen Rd Colo Springs, 80919
Northwest Colorado Springs neighborhood Park with Fantastic short trails. Natural path trails (perfect for families with older children) with rock formations and amazing views. The neighborhood park has a wide concrete sidewalk, picnic tables/benches, and large playing fields. Parking along Woodmen Road.