Interested in learning more about hiking in Douglas County? There are countless options if you want to hike near Castle Rock, Parker or any other area nearby. No matter if you are interested in a relatively short one or two mile loop that will take an hour or two, or a more intense hike that will require several hours to complete, there are many choices for an enjoyable excursion.
Following are several impressive hiking areas that are located within a relatively close vicinity of Castle Rock and Parker which offer a wide range of day hikes suitable for people of all skill levels. Some of these hiking trails and areas offer certain amenities such as picnic tables, rest rooms, and ample parking.
Rock Park – Have you ever wanted to see the top of the famous rock in Castle Rock, CO? There is a trail that leads to the top, and it provides an excellent opportunity to see exactly what is up there – and once you are at the top, you will enjoy an excellent view of the area.
Castlewood Canyon State Park – This beautiful state park is located near Franktown, and provides a great chance to view birds and other wildlife as well as impressive geological structures. There are several hiking trails that range in length from one to four miles, and some people choose to combine two or more trails to create a longer hike.
Roxborough State Park – With approximately 4,000 acres, this state parks contains impressive rock formations, beautiful views and is home to a large population of wildlife. Hiking trails within the park range in difficulty from easy to challenging. This park offers hiking opportunities to people of all ages and skill levels.
Hidden Mesa Open Space and Trail – The Hidden Mesa Open Space trail, with a trailhead near Franktown, offers a relatively moderate hike that becomes more difficult as the hike progresses up a mesa. The length of the trail is 4.7 miles of natural surface, but can be as long as 7 miles if you opt to hike all the way to the mesa loop and back. This trail offers an excellent opportunity for a day hike and the area contains picnic tables, restrooms and a parking lot.
Town of Parker Trail System – The Town of Parker, CO offers many hiking trails that vary in length. If you are looking for an easy hike that may or may not last an entire day, check out the Town of Parker’s trail map. Most trails are either on a paved or soft surface.
Please remember that if you are not an experienced hiker or rarely take day hikes, it’s important to bring the correct clothing, water, snacks, sunscreen, and other appropriate gear with you every time you take hike. For more information, make sure to read the Ten Essentials of Hiking published by AmericanHiking.org.
Hiking in Douglas County Mapping Tools and More
For additional recommendations on day hikes, guidance, and plenty of other information about hiking in Douglas County, visit the following informational websites:
