Find the top rated running trails in Fort Carson, whether you're looking for an easy short running trail or a long running trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a running trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
I rode this trail on a rented bike on a beautiful late October Sunday in 2024 while in Denver for a conference. I started near the intersection of Sherman Street and Speer Blvd, riding northwest toward the Platte River trail / Confluence Park before turning around and riding out of the city to the southeast. I was very impressed by the trail etiquette of other users: families with strollers, runners, joggers, and all range of cyclists at various speeds. It was a glorious and sunny 60 degree day a few weeks after the season's first snowfall, and traces of snow were still in the shadows under trees. I followed the trail all the way to the Cherry Creek Reservoir State Park before turning around. This trail is wide, smooth, fast, and best of all, has VERY FEW intersections with vehicular traffic. In my opinion, it's the best urban greenway I've ever ridden on. I look forward to someday returning and doing the entire 47 mile route.
I was happy to see that they finally extended this trail, and added 2 miles from where it meets the Shooks Run trail to the Pikes Peak Greenway trail (at Beacon & Van Buren.), including an underpass at the Nevada crossing. Well done COS!
We again parked at Village Greens Park (lots of big shade trees to keep the jeep cool) and this time headed south on the trail. It winds around the Cherry Creek Reservoir and then meanders south. Not much shade in this direction. We rode 10 miles south to Cottonwood Park and then turned around (getting hot) so a nice 20 mile round trip. There was a big prairie dog colony and a long stretch of trail with baby grasshoppers hopping all over the joint. The thing I enjoyed most about this trail is that it is NOT straight like so many-constantly twisting and curving. Made it more interesting. There are some fast food restaurants along the way at one point.
We parked at Village Greens Park which is near the Cherry Creek Reservoir. from here you could choose North or South on the trail. We rode north on the trail for 11 miles and ended up in the center of Denver at First Street. Then the trail started to run along the busy street so we turned around. It was a great 22 mile round trip ride. Quite a bit of shade/lots to look at/prairie dog colony/birds/snake on the trail/lots of parks/golf courses/nice homes/runs mostly along the creek/lots of fun underpasses by the water.
We parked at America the Beautiful Park along the curb parking. From there we rode North 10 miles and then back. Great trail. Some parts are dirt but is very smooth. No problem at all. You are really along the river the whole way- always nice to see the water. There was quite a lot of shaded areas to my surprise. We went up one side of the river and returned on the other where you see on the map that it goes in both sides. There are a lot of side trails that connect with this trail. I liked it because there were other bikers and walkers. Everyone courteous. I liked it because lots of stuff to look at. Wish we here for more than a day. Would do again and explore some of the side trails.
We are passing through Colorado and we parked overnight at Lake Pueblo State Park. It was 96 when we arrived. I decided to get up early and take a ride on the river trail. I started about 6:30A. Beautiful ride. I saw 6-7 deer with one on the pathway, about 15 geese floating down river, a whitetail rabbit, and several groundhogs. The path is well kept, but more signs would be helpful. I was a bit surprised to find that the path had stop signs instead of making the automobiles yield. I rode from the Visitor Center to the Nature Center and back.
Mostly flat, interesting people, art, and in the heart of the city. Highly recommend.
Loop is a easy one, the only downside was the trash piled almost everywhere.
First trail I've tried using the app. It was a nice ride. My trike made it through easily. Most of one way is downhill so the return was a little more tiring. Overall, pretty fun for an evening ride.
The greenway is beautiful and a wonderful ride! However, south of America the Beautiful Park there are multiple homeless encampments, especially under the bridges.
This is a fine trail for hiking, but not for biking. Trail surface is mostly loose gravel, there is usually one track on the side that is firm enough to ride on. This trail is not suitable for kids and occasional riders because of the loose material and steep grade. I have ridden rail trails in 42 states and this one is the steepest I have encountered, probably because it was a narrow gauge railway. The steep grade, high altitude and loose material make the trail challenging for casual riders. I was constantly in the lower two gears of my mountain bike, and uphill averaged 4 mph with breaks.
The portage around the collapsed tunnel is an unimproved hiking trail and will be difficult for kids and older adults. It would require a stout person to handle the portage with an electric bike.
A better bike ride is the gold camp road. Although there is some car traffic the surface is much better. Start at pullout No. 1 near the Bear Creek Nature Center (245 Bear Creek Road) and ride up hill 5 miles to the parking lot near Hellen Hunt Falls. That is 3 miles of asphalt and 2.3 miles gravel with one tunnel, turn around and coast back to your car.
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