Trails

Trails Overview

Alert | Pedestrian Bridge Closures. Find details below:

Lakewood Gulch: 8th Ave & Vrain St.

FAQ: Lakewood Gulch Bridge Closure (8th & Vrain)

Why is the bridge at 8th Ave. & Vrain St. over Lakewood Gulch closed?
In August 2024, the bridge was found to have critical structural issues which could not be repaired and required a complete replacement of the bridge.

Why wasn’t this designed and replaced before it was closed?
Due to budget limitations, funds are typically not immediately available to avoid bridge closures like these. With nearly 200 structures along Denver’s trails and parks, more closures may be required as bridges continue to age.

What is the timeline for replacing the bridge over Lakewood Gulch?
With no funding available in the 2024 budget, a timeline to replace the Lakewood Gulch bridge has not been established.  Design and construction of a new bridge will be pending future budget allocations.

What is the detour in the meantime?
Trail users will be detoured along W 9th Ave, Tennyson St, and Utica St.

Download the FAQ sheet(PDF, 286KB)

West Harvard Gulch: Clay St. and Vassar Ave.

FAQ: West Harvard Gulch Bridge Closure

Why is the bridge on the West Harvard Gulch Trail near Clay St and Vassar Ave closed?
The bridge was found to have critical structural issues in August 2024. These critical issues may be able to be repaired when budget is available.

Why wasn’t this designed and replaced before it was closed?
Due to budget limitations, funds are typically not immediately available to avoid bridge closures like these. With nearly 200 structures along Denver’s trails and parks, more closures may be required as bridges continue to age.

What is the timeline for replacing the West Harvard Gulch Trail bridge?
There is no current timeline to replace the bridge. City staff is working to identify the needed repairs along with funding in order to hire a contractor to repair the bridge.

What is the detour in the meantime?
Trail users will be detoured along Vassar Ave. and Clay St.

Download the FAQ sheet(PDF, 316KB)

East Harvard Gulch: DeBoer Park

FAQ: DeBoer Park Bridge Closure

Why is the Harvard Gulch DeBoer Park bridge closed?
In June 2023, the bridge was found to have critical structural issues which could not be repaired and required a complete replacement of the bridge.

image of damaged areas of bridge

Pictured above: 

Photo on the right shows one of multiple vertical truss members with swelling and section loss from water getting trapped inside.  Photo on left shows one of many locations where the stringers have rested-through holes up to 2 feet long. 

Why wasn’t this designed and replaced before it was closed?
Due to budget limitations, funds are typically not immediately available to avoid bridge closures like these. With nearly 200 structures along Denver’s trails and parks, more closures may be required as bridges continue to age.

What is the timeline for replacing the DeBoer Park bridge?
The existing bridge does not meet modern standards and requires a new design, which has added to the project timeline. Currently under design, the new bridge must comply with all local, state, and federal requirements. Because it is located in the Harvard Gulch floodplain, construction must be completed within the low-flow season of October to April, meaning construction cannot begin any earlier than October 2025. Pending project funding, the new bridge is expected to be complete by Summer 2026.

What is the new bridge going to look like?
The new bridge will look a little different and will likely be a low-flow crossing. These structures are used widely along Cherry Creek such as the bridge pictured below near Holly Street.

Download the FAQ sheet(PDF, 475KB)


Denver offers more than 80 miles of off-street, multi-use trails within city limits. Most trails follow urban waterways, offering safe and scenic routes through various neighborhoods. These trails provide recreational opportunities and supplement Denver's on-street grid bicycle route system.


Citywide Trail Cleanup Volunteer Event

First Annual Trail Cleanup | October 12, 2024
DPR invites volunteers to join the first annual citywide trail cleanup project on October 12. Volunteers are needed at 11 different locations across Denver to help with general trail cleanup tasks such as trash and debris removal, painting, weeding, etc. Use the map below to find cleanup locations and sign-up using DPR's volunteer calendar. The first 100 volunteers to sign up will get a 30% off coupon for REI!

Download the event flyer(PDF, 10MB)

When: Saturday, October 12 | 8:00-10:00 a.m.
Where: Denver trails across the city!

 

View Full Size Map

Trail Rules and Etiquette

For the safety and enjoyment of all users, please follow trail rules and etiquette:

  • Speed limit: 15 MPH (as conditions allow—slow down if necessary!)
  • Yield when entering the trail
  • Yield to pedestrians
  • Do not stop in travel lanes
  • Stay to the right; announce to pass on the left
  • Turn lights on after sundown
  • Always wear a helmet!
  • Do not occupy more than half the width of the trail, either single-vehicle or side-by-side
  • Rideshare scooters and e-bikes should not be parked along trails
  • Call 311 (720.913.1311) to report incidents, camps, crashes & concerns
 Trails Rules and Etiquette Image from The Trail Conservancy

                                       


Trail Amenities Plan

Denver Parks and Recreation (DPR) is developing a plan for amenities along our trails, such as benches, water fountains, trash cans and more. The plan will develop guidelines for how often and where these amenities should be located along the trail system in Denver and is intended to be an internal guiding document to support decision-making when funding for trail amenities becomes available. Providing your input now will help direct how trail amenities are implemented in the future.

Survey closed on June 15th: DPR launched an interactive map to gather input on what amenities people wanted across our trail system, which was open from April through June 15. For more information email parksandrecreation@denvergov.org.


Urban Park Walk Details

Park Loops

Many of our parks have perimeter and lake loop trails to serve as a defined route within the park. Here is a list of some of those loops to help you start exploring our park system.

Park Location Trail Name & Map Length
Berkeley Lake Park Berkeley Lake Loop(PDF, 1MB)
1..0 mile
Cheesman Park Cheesman Park Inner Loop(PDF, 1MB)
1.1 mile
Cheesman Park
Cheesman Park Outer Loop(PDF, 1MB)
1.4 mile
City Park
Ferril Lake Loop(PDF, 1MB)
0.9 mile
City Park
Mile High Loop(PDF, 1MB)
3.1 mile
Garfield Lake Park
Garfield Lake Loop(PDF, 921KB)
0.6 mile
Harvey Park
Harvey Park Lake Loop(PDF, 907KB)
0.4 mile
Huston Lake Park
Huston Lake Loop(PDF, 892KB)
0.6 mile
Parkfield
Parkfield Lake Loop(PDF, 1MB)
1.1 mile
Rocky Mountain Lake Park
Rocky Mountain Lake Loop(PDF, 970KB)
1.0 mile
Sloan's Lake Park
Sloan's Lake Loop(PDF, 1019KB)
2.6 mile
Washington Park
Grassmere Lake Loop(PDF, 1MB)
0.8 mile
Washington Park Meadow Loop(PDF, 1MB) 0.9 mile
Washington Park Smith Lake Loop(PDF, 1MB) 0.6 mile
Washington Park Washington Park Outer Loop(PDF, 1MB) 2.5 mile
Washington Park
Washington Park Roadway Loop(PDF, 1MB)
2.2 mile 

Collector Trails

Trail Name Reach Length
Dry Gulch Trail Sheridan Blvd to Lakewood Gulch Trail 0.8 mile
First Creek Trail High Line Canal Trail to 53rd Ave 2.3 mile
Garland Greenbelt Trail Virginia Ave to Cherry Creek Trail 1.7 mile
Goldsmith Gulch Trail Eastman Ave to High Line Canal Trail (Bible Park) 0.7 mile
Hampden Heights Trail Quebec St to Cherry Creek Trail 2.2 mile
Lakewood Gulch Trail Wolff St to South Platte River Trail 2.0 mile
Sanderson Gulch Trail Wolff St to South Platte River Trail 3.4 mile
Greenway Trail Montview Blvd to Westerly Creek Trail 1.9 mile
Greenway Trail Quebec St to Greenway Park 1.9 mile
Weir Gulch Trail Sheridan Blvd to South Platte River Trail 3.7 mile
West Harvard Gulch Trail Federal Blvd to South Platte River Trail
1.2 mile
Westerly Creek Trail Montview Blvd to Sand Creek Trail 1.7 mile

Local Trails

Trail Name Reach Length
Dry Gulch Trail Sheridan Blvd to Lakewood Gulch Trail 0.8 mile
East Harvard Gulch Trail 56th Ave to Memphis St 1.0 mile
Wagon Creek Trail Tufts Ave to Field Way 1.0 mile