Willow Creek Trail at Roxborough State Park
Entering Roxborough State Park is like walking into another world. The red rock and wildlife--and if you are lucky--the low lying cloud cover, conspire to make for a great escape just south of Denver. The Willow Creek trail makes for a short hike in Roxborough is a perfect way to begin exploring the park. Scroll down to get all the information you need for this trail: driving directions to the trailhead, trail map links, and more details.
Trail Snapshot: Willow Creek Trail at Roxborough State Park
Hike Distance | 1.4 mile Round Trip |
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Difficulty | Easy |
Duration | Approx 1 hr Round Trip |
Trail Type | Loop |
Seasons | All Year |
Dogs | Not Allowed in Roxborough State Park |
Hike Trail Map | Click for a Map of Willow Creek Trail at Roxborough State Park |
Denver Drive Time | 45 min |
Driving Directions to Willow Creek Trail at Roxborough State Park | Click for Google Map |
Town Nearest Hike | Littleton, Colorado |
Beauty | Red rock formations, meadows, wildlife: mule deer, eagles, foxes, birds |
Activities | Hiking, birdwatching, Visitors' Center |
Fee | Entrance Fee or State Parks Pass Required |
A birdwatcher's paradise. Roxborough State Park is Denver's twin sister of Garden of the God's in Colorado Springs. The park has cataloged over 140 species of birds that have been viewed in the park. On our first hike in the park, we encountered several Western Tanager's among the scrub oak.
On our first visit, we brought our dog and had to turn the car around. Roxborough State Park has quite a bit of wildlife and sensitive plant life, so pets are not allowed. Mountain biking and camping are also not permitted.
This would be in our top 5 for visiting family and friends because this Douglas County hike stays at a lower elevation, is easy, and offers awe inspiring views. This is one of our favorite places to visit in the mornings.
Tips & Resources for Hiking Willow Creek Trail at Roxborough State Park :
- To get the best views of wildlife: Go when there is less traffic: Evenings, Mornings, and Weekdays.
- TIP: There is a picnic area with tables just outside the Visitors' Center.
- TIP: Be on the lookout for poison ivy along the sides of the trail. Know how to identify it, so that you can avoid it. But don’t let that deter you from the park. You just need to keep an eye out. See our post on how to identify and treat poison ivy.
- Trail Map for Roxborough State Park: Trail Map Link
- Colorado Road Conditions: Colorado Road Conditions
- After the Hike: Enchanted Grounds Coffee Shop
- Roxborough State Park Brochure
- Roxborough State Park Site
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Fountain Valley Trail at Roxborough State Park
The Fountain Valley trail in Colorado's Roxborough State Park is the Garden of the God's of Denver. It's more secluded than Red Rocks park, and features several trails that take you beyond the park boundaries and into the foothills. The Fountain Valley Trail is a perfect place to start because it features the best part of the park, it's towering slabs of red rock. Explore the hiking profile below for all the trail details, trail map link, and driving directions to the trailhead for this easy Colorado hike.
Trail Snapshot: Fountain Valley Trail at Roxborough State Park
Hike Distance | 2.3 miles |
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Difficulty | Easy |
Duration | Approx 1.5 hr |
Trail Type | Loop |
Seasons | All Year |
Dogs | Not Allowed in Roxborough State Park |
Hike Trail Map | Click for a Map of Roxborough State Park |
Denver Drive Time | 45 min |
Driving Directions to Fountain Valley Trail at Roxborough State Park | Click for Google Map |
Town Nearest Hike | Littleton, Colorado |
Beauty | Red rock formations, meadows, wildlife: mule deer, eagles, foxes, birds |
Activities | Hiking, birdwatching, Visitors' Center |
Fee | Entrance Fee or State Parks Pass Required |
Roxborough State Park is Denver's twin sister of Garden of the God's in Colorado Springs. The beautiful Lyons and Fountain formations climb from the valley floor and create a wonderful space for a quiet hike, birdwatching, and viewing wildlife.
The trail is a loop. You can start on the valley floor, then work your way up to the high trail that looks down and across the fountain formation (photo above was taken from around the midpoint of the high trail). On our visit we encountered several whitetail deer and a variety of birds flitting about in the scrub oak that grows in the valley. The initial part of the trail are handicap accessible, but the trail soon becomes a more narrow dirt trail.
There are some ruins of an old estate along the trail and interpretive signs telling about the history of the valley. We would recommend this trail for families with small children and especially for folks visiting Denver and looking for something fun to do. The low elevation is great for out of towners who may not have the time or capacity to get up into the mountains. Dogs are not permitted, so be sure to leave fido at home. Because this trail is in Roxborough State Park, a fee or Colorado state parks pass is required. See the Roxborough State Park Fees page for details.
Tips & Resources for Hiking Fountain Valley Trail at Roxborough State Park :
- TIP: There is a picnic area with tables just outside the Visitors' Center.
- TIP: Be on the lookout for poison ivy along the sides of the trail. Know how to identify it, so that you can avoid it. But don’t let that deter you from the park. You just need to keep an eye out. See our post on how to identify and treat poison ivy.
- Trail Map for Roxborough State Park: Trail Map Link
- Colorado Road Conditions: Colorado Road Conditions
- After the Hike: Waterton Tavern in Roxborough
- Roxborough State Park Brochure
- Brochure for Roxborough State Park: Brochure Link
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South Valley Park Trails
The trails of South Valley Park are perfect for an after work hike or run in South Denver. The expansive valley near the neighborhood of Ken Caryl is enclosed on its eastern side by the exposed red rock formations of the hogback and the green foothills to the west. Views to the south are incredible, making South Valley Park especially enchanting during the early morning hours and at twilight.. Explore the full hiking profile below for full trail details, driving directions and more.
Trail Snapshot: South Valley Park Trails
Hike Distance | 0.5 mile to 3 miles |
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Difficulty | Easy |
Duration | Approx 1 to 2 hrs |
Trail Type | Out & Back and Loop |
Seasons | All Year |
Dogs | Allowed On Leash |
Hike Trail Map | Click for a Map of South Valley Park Trails |
Denver Drive Time | 30 min |
Driving Directions to South Valley Park Trails | Click for Google Map |
Town Nearest Hike | Littleton, Colorado |
Beauty | Red rock formations, meadows, elk, deer, birdwatching, great sunsets |
Activities | Hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking |
Video | Click For Video |
Red Rock towers along the eastern wall of South Valley Park and the foothills begin to the west. Almost 1000 acres of meadow and rock offer a near perfect escape from the sounds of the city. The time lapse below shows a great example of a South Valley Park sunrise.
6 Trails wind through the park. The best place to start is with the South Valley Park Coyote Song Trail. It's a an out an back trail that takes you right through the main meadow. It also connects with the Swallow Trail to form a loop, making your hike about 1.8 miles. The Lyons Back Trail takes you from the Coyote Song Trail and up over the red rock where you can hike trails developed by the Ken-Caryl Ranch foundation.
Tips & Resources for Hiking South Valley Park Trails :
- Don't miss the Coyote Song Trail: The sunsets are wonderful and the park tends to be quiet in the evenings. The Coyote Song Trail is a great way to begin or wind down the day.
- TIP: The Parking area on our map link is the larger of the two. However, you can also begin at the south lot off of Deer Creek Canyon Road. Click here for directions. This gives you a closer connection to the Elk Grazing Trail (seasonal) area and Deer Creek Canyon Park.
- TIP: The red rock calls to be climbed, but climbing is prohibited in this park.
- South Valley Park Trail Map: Trail Map Link
- Colorado Road Conditions: Colorado Road Conditions
- After the Hike: Atlas Coffee in Littleton
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