Roxborough State Park is one of my favorite places to hike near Denver. Its dramatic red sandstone formations resemble those at Red Rocks, but the trails feel much quieter.
For a scenic five-mile hike, combine Fountain Valley Trail with part of Willow Creek Trail and South Rim Trail. The route starts easy, adds a steady climb and finishes with expansive views across the park.
Three friends joined me on the first 80-degree day of the year. We had all worked out hard the previous day, so we skipped Carpenter Peak. Our legs thanked us, at least during the first loop.
Getting to Roxborough State Park:
Roxborough State Park is about 20 miles southwest of downtown Denver. The park has nearly 3,413 acres and approximately 15 miles of trails. You do need a park pass.
All trails begin near the visitor center. There is only one road into the park, and parking can fill on busy weekends. Arrive early, especially during spring and fall.
Trail Stats:
- Distance: Approximately five miles
- Route: Two loops connected near the visitor center
- Trails: Fountain Valley, Willow Creek and South Rim
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Dogs: Not allowed
- Best seasons: Spring, fall and mild winter days
- Trailhead: Roxborough State Park Visitor Center
Here are the trail stats of the three trails to make a little over 5-mile loop.
Fountain Valley Trail – easy 2.2 mile loop, mainly flat
Willow Creek Trail – easy 1.4 miles, some shade (only took a short part)
South Rim Trail – moderate 1.8 miles, mellow climb and single track trail for part of it – great views
No dogs allowed in Roxborough State Park, but A Dog World’s, a doggie daycare, is close to the entrance where you can drop your pup off while you hike.
Start on Fountain Valley Trail
We started hiking Fountain Valley Trail around 8:50 a.m. The sky was cloudless, and the red rocks glowed in the morning sunshine.
Fountain Valley Trail is an easy 2.2-mile loop with minimal elevation gain. It offers some of the park’s best views without requiring a strenuous climb.
About a tenth of a mile into our hike, we took a short detour to an overlook. The tilted sandstone slabs rose dramatically from the surrounding landscape.
These formations are part of the Fountain Formation. The sandstone began forming more than 300 million years ago as the Ancestral Rocky Mountains eroded.
Shortly after the overlook, we spotted several mule deer.
Climb South Rim Trail
South Rim Trail is approximately 1.8 miles and rated moderate. After crossing a meadow, the trail quickly gains elevation.
The climb is steady rather than short and steep. From the upper section, the views stretch across Roxborough’s red sandstone formations. On a clear day, you can also see the Denver skyline in the distance.
The descent narrows into a single-track trail with a drop-off in places. You get to enjoy sweeping views almost the entire way down. It was a beautiful finish to our five-mile outing.
For several other options for easy to moderate hikes near Denver, check out posts on Waterton Canyon, Flatirons Vista, and Arthur’s Rock.
