How To Use This Guide
Your Western Slope Trails Guide is designed to let you know where trails areand what types of activities are
suitable or allowed. For more information about a specific trail, call the local trails administrator listed.
EASY TRAILS: Flat, smooth, and most are suitable for use by persons with disabilities.
MODERATE TRAILS: Changes in elevation, natural soil surface, suitable for the average person with some
trail experience.
DIFFICULT TRAILS: May involve strenuous climbs and high elevations.
THE STATE TRAILS PROGRAM
Since its establishment in 1971, the State Trails Program of Colorado State Parks has been active in
encouraging trail development. The State Trails Master Plan is an inventory of Colorado’s trail
system and now guides the Colorado Greenway Project which funds local trail construction using Colorado
Lottery proceeds and other funding. Since 1983, the program has provided more than $11.5 million for more
than 303 trail projects. The Trails Program also aids local communities and citizens’ groups with technical
assistance, trail planning, and coordination with other agencies.
STATE PARKS INFORMATION
Colorado State Parks
1313 Sherman St., Room 618
Denver, CO 80203 (303) 866-3437
www.coloradoparks.org
TRAILS ON FEDERAL PUBLIC LANDS
In addition to building trails in Colorado’s communities, the Colorado Lottery provides funding for a wide
variety of trails work on our federal public lands. These “backcountry” trails include foot, horse, and bicycling
routes. Lottery funding most often goes to support the efforts of volunteers to sustain this network of trails.
Other improvement projects include bridges, trailheads, and interpretive facilities. Visitor maps for each of the
national forests can be purchased at Forest Service offices, bookstores, sporting goods stores, and by mail from
Visitor Map Sales (303) 275-5350. To visit some of the National Forests and Bureau of Land Management
areas where the Lottery is helping improve trail opportunities, contact the following offices for trail information:
national forests headquarters
1920 Valley Dr., Pueblo, CO 81008
(719) 545-8737
Pike National Forest Pike’s Peak Ranger District,
601 S. Weber St., Colorado Springs, CO 80903
(719) 636-1602
San Isabel National Forest San Carlos Ranger District,
3170 E. Main St., Cañon City, CO 81212
(719) 269-8500
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
Royal Gorge Field Ofice,
3170 E. Main St., Cañon City, CO 81212
(719) 269-8500,
Fax (719) 269-8599
La Jara Field Office,
15571 County Rd T5, La Jara, CO 81140,
(719) 274-8971,
Fax (719) 274-6301
San Luis Resource Area,
1921 State St., Alamosa, CO 81101
(719) 589-4975
Mueller State Park
Easy/Moderate/Difficult–Walk, Bike, Horse
Camping, picnicking, fishing, and nearly 80 miles of
trails. Four miles South of Divide on Hwy 67.
For more information:
Trail map available: Mueller State Park,
P.O. Box 39, Divide, CO 80814
(719)687-2366
www.coloradoparks.org
Pueblo Trails
1 Arkansas River Trail West
Easy–Hike, Bike, Horse
The trail meanders through open space along north
side of Arkansas River from W. 18th St. at Wildhorse
Creek, past Burkhardt’s Crossing (bridge) which
connects east to the Arkansas River trails and to city
park and West to the Greenway and Nature Center
waterfront which has the Cafe del Rio restaurant, a
snack bar, picnicking, bike rentals, interpretive
programs, a fishing dock, restrooms, and parking. The
trail then continues 3 miles to the Lake Pueblo State
Park trail.
2 Arkansas River Trail East
Easy–Walk, Bike, Horse
Trail runs along the south side of the Arkansas River
from City Park east to Santa Fe Ave. over Runyon
Crossing bridge to Runyon and Fountain Lakes. Other
accesses include Main St., 4th St. bridge, Dutch Clark
Stadium, Reservoir St. north, and City Park Ballfield
3. Zoo, restrooms, ballfields, shelters, picnicking, and
varied other facilities at City Park. Handicapped
accesses at Nature Center and City Park.
3 Runyon Lake Area
Easy–Walk, Bike, Horse
Handicapped access. A 1-mile loop trail around 25-acre
Runyon Lake and next to 5-acre Fountain Lakes has
adjacent parking, restrooms, wheelchair accessible
fishing docks, and access to Runyon ballfields with
street access from Santa Fe Ave., Locust St., Santa Fe
Dr., and Moffat Ave.
4 Fountain Creek Trail
Easy–Walk, Bike
Trail from Runyon Lake runs eastward to Fountain Creek
via the Fountain Bridge through scenic open space to
access from Joplin Ave. with limited parking and facilities;
northward to Plaza Verde Park which has parking,
restrooms, drinking water, and picnic shelters; northward
to Trailhead Park with restrooms, drinking water, picnic
shelters, parking, and access to downtown via 8th St.; and
northward to picnic area with parking and access via 11th
St. Trail continues northward to University Park with
accesses at Haaff Elementary School and Montbello.
5 University Park Trail
Easy–Walk, Bike
Trail along drainage and road right-of-way from Fountain
Creek to University Park subdivision. Parking, restrooms
at adjacent shopping center.
6 Pueblo Mall Trail
Easy–Walk, Bike
Trail from Fountain Creek over University Blvd. bridge
and south along creek to Pueblo Mall. Parking, restrooms,
restaurants, and shopping at mall.
7 Pueblo Boulevard & Northern
Avenue Trails
Easy–Walk, Bike
Bikeway on east side of Pueblo Blvd. from City Park at
Goodnight Ave. south to Northern Ave. Bikeway along
Northern Ave. Pkwy. between Encino Dr. and
Wedgewood Dr.
For more information:
Bicycle and trails map available.
Pueblo Parks and Recreation
Dept., 800
Goodnight Ave., Pueblo, CO 81005
(719) 566-1745
Department of Planning and Development,
211 E. “D” St., Pueblo, CO 81003
(719) 543-6006
Pueblo Greenway and Nature Center,
5200 Nature Center Rd., Pueblo, CO 81003
(719) 549-2414
Lake Pueblo State Park
8 Lake Pueblo State
12 Shooks Run Park Trail
Moderate/Difficult–Hike, Bike, Horse
Park entrances from Hwy 96 or from Hwy 50.
Trailheads at campground, swim beach, and marinas.
Camping, picnic and play areas, boating, fishing and
swimming.
13 Memorial Park Trail
Park Trails
For more information:
Park brochure and trail map available at park
entrance or from Lake Pueblo State Park,
640 Pueblo Reservoir Rd., Pueblo, CO 81004
(719) 561-9320
www.coloradoparks.org
Colorado Springs
9 Garden of the Gods Park
Easy/Moderate–Hike, Horse
Trailheads on Ridge Rd. at Gateway Rd. and at
Visitor Center. Famous red rock formation, wildlife
habitat, and botanic preserves. Equestrian trail loops
around park. Unloading ramp and picnic areas at
Spring Canyon. Paved 0.7-mile trail at central
parking area is wheelchair accessible. Mountain
bikes welcome in designated areas.
10 North Cheyenne Canyon
Park Trails
Easy/Moderate–Hike, Mtn. Bike
Scenic canyon, stream and waterfalls, parking,
restrooms, picnic area, geologic interest, and wildlife
habitat. Horse use not encouraged. Trailheads along
N. Cheyenne Canyon for Mt. Cutler Trail (0.7 miles),
Columbine Springs Trail (2.9 miles), and St. Mary’s
Falls (0.5 miles), and at Helen Hunt Falls.
11 Pikes Peak Greenway Trail
Easy–Hike, Bike
Trail along Monument and Fountain Creeks from
Woodmen Rd. to S. Navada. Runs through Monument
Valley Park, a downtown linear park that includes
picnic and play areas, restrooms, shelters, ballfields,
historic markers, and a fitness trail. Access from
Woodmen Rd., Mark Dabling Blvd., Uintah St.,
Bijou St., and S. Nevada Ave.
Easy–Walk, Bike
Trail through linear park on old railroad grade along
stream. Restrooms, shelters, picnic area, and tennis
courts. Trail partly lighted at night.
Easy–Walk, Bike
Access from neighborhood and streets. Wheelchair
accessible trail around Prospect Lake with fitness course,
restrooms, picnic and play areas, refreshments, and
swimming beach.
14 Palmer Park Trails
Easy/Moderate–Hike, Bike, Horse
Park entrances at Maizeland Rd. west of Academy Blvd.
and on Paseo Rd. through park. Two loop trails (3.8 miles
total), nature trail (0.5 miles), and other undesignated
footpaths throughout the park. Facilities include horse
rental and show ring, picnic area, shelters, restrooms, and
ballfields in natural open space setting.
15 Quail Lake Park
Easy–Walk, Exercise
Park entrance on Cheyenne Mountain Blvd. east of Hwy
115. Fitness trail around Quail Lake. Fishing, boating,
restrooms, picnic and play areas.
16 Palmer Mesa Trail
Moderate–Walk
Trail along road from Uintah St. to 30th St.
17 Rock Island Trail
Easy–Hike, Bike
Trail runs east-west adjacent to a seldom-used railroad line.
The trail connects to Shooks Run Trail on the west and
access to the Homestead Ridge Trail can be made via
Maizeland Rd. on the east.
18 Templeton Gap
Easy–Hike, Bike
Trail along north side of the Floodway connects
Monument Fountain Creek Trail (Pikes Peak Greenway)
via Portal Park to Palmer Park.
19 Sinton Trail
27 Wilson Ranch Trail
20 Austin Bluffs Trail
For more information:
Easy–Hike, Bike
Connects Garden of the Gods Rd. to Pikes Peak Greenway
through Douglas Creek Park and adjacent Sinton Pond.
Moderate–Hike, Bike
A paved sidewalk paralleling the north side of Austin
Bluffs Pkwy. from Nevada Ave. to Union Blvd. via the
UCCS campus.
21 Homestead Ridge Trail
Easy–Walk, Bike
Segments connect villa Loma Park, Rudy Park and Old
Farm Park following the open space along the ridge
through the Homestead and Ridge subdivisions.
22 Foothills Trail
Easy–Hike, Bike
Scenic north-south trail along the base of the foothills and
Garden of the Gods Park to Ute Valley Park. Access from
Gateway Rd. and Flying W Ranch Rd.
23 Rockrimmon Trail
Easy–Hike, Bike
Gravel trail connects foothills Park to near Mark Dabling
Blvd. (Future connection to Pikes Peak Greenway.)
24 la Foret Trail
Easy–Walk, Bike, Horse
1/4-mile trail connecting Middle Creek Pkwy. to the New
Santa Fe Trail. Trail provides access from the east side of
I-25 to the New Santa Fe Trail and Air Force Academy on
the west side.
25 Cottonwood Creek Trail
Easy–Walk, Bike, Horse
1-mile gravel trail located adjacent to Cottonwood Creek.
Paved through Cottonwood Creek Park.
26 Ute Valley Park
Easy–Walk, Bike, Horse
1.3-mile gravel trail through residential neighborhood
between Vindicator Dr. and Mule Deer Dr.
Colorado Springs Parks and Recreation Dept.,
1401 Recreation Way, Colorado Springs, CO 80905
(719) 385-5940, or Trails and Open Space Coalition
(719) 633-6884
Manitou Springs
28 Intemann Trail
Moderate–Hike
A 5-mile trail with main access points at the Palmer Trail
(off Gold Camp Rd.), Crystal Park Rd., and Ruxton Ave.
Western section is above Manitou Springs, near Barr Trail;
eastern section weaves through scenic regional park.
Volunteers building trail in memory of Paul Intemann.
For more information:
Intemann Trail Committee,
(719) 473-4143
Pike-San Isabel
29 Waldo Canyon Trail
Moderate–Hike, Mtn. Bike
Trailhead on Hwy 24, 1.5 miles northwest from Manitou
Springs on Ute Pass highway. Scenic canyon through
foothills; wildlife habitat. 7.0 miles round trip. (See
Colorado Springs Map).
30 Barr Trail
Difficult–Hike
Trailhead on Hydro St. off Ruxton Ave. in Manitou
Springs. Trail climbs 7000 feet to summit of Pike’s Peak
through National Forest, or ride Pike’s Peak Cog
Railway and hike down. Camping nearby. Privately
operated cabins 6.8 miles up trail. Hikers attempting the
15-mile round trip should begin by 8 a.m. No facilities
along trail. (See Colorado Springs Map.)
Easy/Moderate–Walk, Bike, Horse
For more information:
Park and trailhead located along Vindicator Blvd. Natural
surface loop trail system throughout scenic natural park. No U.S. Forest Service Pike’s Peak Ranger District,
601 S. Weber St., Colorado Springs, CO 80903
restrooms or developed picnic areas.
(719) 636-1602
El Paso County Trails
31 Fox Run Regional Park Trails 35 Black Forest Regional
Easy–Hike, Mtn. Bike, Horse
Trailheads on Rollercoaster Rd. 3.5 miles east of
I-25 on Northgate Rd. and 2 miles north on Rollercoaster
Rd. Or enter the park from Stella which is 1.5 miles north
on Rollercoaster Rd., .25 miles west on Stella then turn
north into the park. 4.4 miles of trail through Ponderosa
Pine forest. Picnic areas, restrooms, playground, and
interpretive features.
32 Bear Creek Regional
Park Trails
Easy–Hike, Mtn. Bike, Horse
Trailheads at the Nature Center, east side and west side of
the park. From Highway 24 go south on 21st St., 1 mile to
Rio Grande or Argus to park entrances. Picnic areas,
playfields, archery, and restrooms. Nature Center entrance
is west on Lower Gold Camp from 21st St. to Bear Creek
Rd., then south.
33 New Santa Fe Regional Trail
Easy–Hike, Mtn. Bike, Horse
Trailheads at County Line Rd. in Palmer Lake, 3rd St. in
Monument, off Baptist Rd., west of I-25, and Ice Lake at the
Air Force Academy and at Highway 105 in Monument and
North Gate Rd. Trail through prairie and foothill riparian
open space. Northern portion on former railroad grade.
Interpretive features along trail. Restrooms and picnic tables
at most trailheads. Wheelchair accessible from Palmer Lake
to Baptist Rd.
34 Fountain Creek Regional
Park & Trail
Easy–Hike, Mtn. Bike, Horse
Trail access south of Hwy 16 on Hwy 85/87. Entrance is west
on Willow Springs Rd. Nature Center and trail access from
Hwy. 85/87 west on Cattail Marsh Rd. Trail along plains
riparian corridor with outstanding watchable wildlife
opportunities. Restroom, playground and picnic facilities
located west off Hwy. 85/87 on Duckwood Rd.
Wheelchair accessible.
Park Trails
Easy–Hike, Mtn. Bike, Horse
Trail access near park entrance at Shoup and Milam
Rd. in Black Forest. Trails through Ponderosa Pine
forest. Restrooms, picnic facilities, and tennis courts.
36 Rock Island Trail
Easy–Hike, Bike, Horse
Trail runs along former railroad grade for approximately
10 miles between Falcon and Peyton.
For more information:
El Paso County Parks Dept.,
2002 Creek Crossing, Colorado Springs, CO 80906
(719) 520-6375
www.co.el-paso.co.us/parks/main/htm
Trinidad Lake State Park
37 Trinidad Lake Trails
Easy/Moderate–Hike, Bike, Horse
The area offers 10 miles of trails that wind through
piñon and juniper forests. A 1-mile, self-guided trail
interprets the cultural and historic aspects of the
surrounding area. The Long’s Canyon Trail leads to two
wildlife viewing blinds that overlook a wetlands habitat.
Camping, boating, fishing, picnicking, play areas , and
an archaeological site are also available.
For more information:
Trinidad Lake State Park,
32610 Hwy 12, Trinidad, CO 81082
(719) 846-6951
www.coloradoparks.org
Colorado Springs Wildlife Area
38 Nature Trail
Easy–Hike
Trailhead on east side of I-25 between Colorado Springs
and Pueblo at Exit 123 or Exit 125. Trail to Fountain
Creek, floodplain forest, wildlife, and birdwatching.
For more information:
Colorado State Wildlife Area Guide:
Available for $2 from Colorado Division of Wildlife,
6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216
(303) 297-1192
Cañon City
39 Arkansas River Trail West
42 Martin Lake Trail
For more information:
For more information:
Easy–Hike, Bike, Horse
Scenic trail through central part of town on former
railroad right-of-way along Arkansas River. The trail
passes through Griffin Park, historic features, wildlife
areas, and fishing.
Cañon City Recreation and Park District,
2851 E. Hwy. 50 P.0. Box 947, Cañon City, CO
81215-0947
(719) 275-1578
Hike and Bike Brochure available free from Cañon City
Chamber of Commerce,
P.O. Bin 749, Cañon City, CO 81215-0749
(719) 275-2331
John Martin Reservoir
40 Red Shin Hiking Trail
Moderate–Hike
Offers 3 miles of trail that wind through a variety of plants
and wildlife viewing opportunities.
For more information:
Corps of Engineers
(719) 336-3476
Lathrop State Park
41 Hogback Nature Trail
Moderate–Hiking only
The Hogback Nature Trail is a 2-mile loop that climbs
atop the Hogback Ridge. Informational brochures are
available which correspond to numbered posts along
its course.
Easy–Walk, Bike, In-line Skate
The Martin Lake Trail is a 2.9 mile multi-use paved
surface that starts at the Visitor Center and loops around
Martin Lake through piñon/juniper woodland as well as
grassland and riparian habitats.
Lathrop State Park,
70 County Rd. 502, Walsenburg, CO 81089
(719) 738-2376.
For further information and a free Colorado State Parks
Guide, contact the:
South Region Office,
2126 N. Weber, Colorado Springs, CO 80907
(719)471-0900
www.coloradoparks.org