Trail Detours

Overview

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:

Pedestrian Bridge Closures

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)

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)

Bear Creek Trail

Bear Creek Greenbelt

Learn about the City of Lakewood's Bear Creek Trail improvements project. 

Cherry Creek Trail 

Cherry Creek Trail under Monaco Parkway is fully closed to support bridge reconstruction overhead. The trail will remain closed through the remainder of the project, which is set to wrap up summer 2026. Trail users will be detoured up to Monaco Parkway, on the south side of the bridge, then south to cross Monaco Parkway using the crosswalk at the signalized intersection, Florida Avenue. 

Download the detour map(PDF, 2MB)

Additional Cherry Creek Trail information  

Harvard Gulch Trail

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, 316KB)

High Line Canal

No significant projects or detours within Denver along the High Line Canal at this time.  

South Platte River Trail

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 - Fall 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.

Construction will begin January 6, 2025 and is expected to last through early summer. 

View the detour route(PDF, 3MB)

Learn more about this project.

Weir Gulch Trail

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)

Other Detours

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.

Related Information

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