Denver Parks and Recreation (DPR) is continuously working to improve the city's 100+ mile trail network. Construction and maintenance impacts to trails may cause temporary closures. DPR is committed to minimizing impacts to trail users by providing the safest detour routes available for the shortest duration possible. Please be aware that unforeseen conditions due to weather or other unexpected events may require immediate closures that are not noted on this page. Use extra caution on detour routes and be prepared to plan alternate routes if necessary.
View the full detour map
Learn more about trail detours and projects in the following sections:
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, 307KB)
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.
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)
Trail Detour: Little Raven St to Wewatta St
Week of September 16:A detour is scheduled on Cherry Creek Trail from Little Raven St to Wewatta St for BNSF Railroad to complete emergency repairs on the train tracks above the trail.
Download the construction map(PDF, 7MB)
Additional Cherry Creek Trail information
West Harvard Gulch Park
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, 307KB)
East Harvard Gulch Park
Week of September 23, 2024: Harvard Gulch Trail will undergo a trail maintenance project to improve the section east of S. Downing Street to S. Lafayette Street and within Harvard Gulch Park. Trail improvements include new asphalt resurfacing and safety upgrades where the trail crosses a drainage channel within Harvard Gulch Park. Construction is expected to be completed by mid-October.
Download the detour map(PDF, 2MB)
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.
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)
No significant projects or detours within Denver along the High Line Canal at this time.
Various long and short-term infrastructure projects will soon be implemented and require detours along the South Platte River Trail in the coming months and years:
Alameda Bridge
January 2023 - Spring 2025: As part of the CDOT I-25 & Alameda Bridge Replacement project, the South Platte River Trail is closed at the Alameda underpass. Trail users are being detoured to S. Lipan St. between Alameda and Cedar Avenue.
Download the detour map(PDF, 2MB)
Johnson Habitat Park to W. Mississippi Ave.
Spring 2023 Update: Unexpected soil conditions were recently discovered, requiring a significant change in the design of the retaining wall. In addition, floodplain management processes done in collaboration with FEMA are taking longer than anticipated. Due to these issues, construction is now scheduled to begin no earlier than spring 2024, with the most significant work starting fall 2024.
Because of these delays, the South Platte River Trail will re-open temporarily in this area until construction can begin. Jersey barriers will be pinned to the existing trail to support the retaining wall and new asphalt will widen the trail by 2-3 feet. Safety fencing will be installed where needed. These temporary modifications should be in place by late May and the trail will remain open until construction begins in 2024. Thanks for your patience and understanding!
Learn more about this project.
Beginning Sept. 2023: Weir Gulch Trail will be detoured to 2nd Avenue between Knox Ct. and Julian St. until further notice.
Download the detour map(PDF, 2MB)
Pedestrian Bridge at 7th Ave. and Vrain St.
Beginning August 2024: The pedestrian bridge at 7th Ave. and Vrain St. is closed until further notice. Trail users will need to take alternative routes at Tennyson St. or Sheridan Blvd. to cross Lakewood Gulch.
Lakewood Gulch Trail
Week of August 12: A section of the path will be closed for repairs and is scheduled to last through the 19th. A temporary route is in place for trail users to get around the repair site. Please use extra caution in this area.
Download the detour map(PDF, 2MB)
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)
City Park: Museum of Nature & Science
A section of path in the southeast corner of the park is closed while construction is underway on the Nature Play project. Paths on the north and south side of the closure remain open to pedestrians and cyclists.
Download the detour map(PDF, 12MB)
Unnamed Stanford & Balsam Park
Dec. 2023 - Fall 2024
Download the detour map(PDF, 8MB)