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Colorado
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Colorado State Parks

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USA Parks
Colorado
North & Denver Region
Roxborough State Park
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Roxborough State Park © Bluedharma at English Wikipedia / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Roxborough State Park
Roxborough State Park © Ilike2read / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Picture of Red Rocks in Roxborough Park CO
Roxborough State Park © marsupium photography / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Roxbourough Park
Roxborough State Park © Thomas Shahan / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Roxborough State Park, CO
Roxborough State Park © Greg Willis from Denver, CO, usa / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Roxborough SP
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ROXBOROUGH STATE PARK
ROXBOROUGH STATE PARK
4751 Roxborough Drive
Littleton, Colorado   80125
(lat:39.4296 lon:-105.0691) map location

Phone: 303-973-3959
With close to 4000-acres, Roxborough State Park is filled with dramatic red-rock formations, distinct plant communities, and a variety of wildlife ranging from black bears to mule deer. Enjoy hiking, wildlife viewing, trail running, photography, bird watching, or one of our many programs and events.

To preserve Roxborough's natural resources, no pets, drones, camping, mountain bikes, horses, rock climbing, fires, or marijuana are permitted in Roxborough State Park.
History of the Area
Located in Douglas County, Colorado, the park was established in 1975. It spans over 3,339 acres of land and is known for its red sandstone formations.

The area has a rich history dating back to prehistoric times with evidence of human activity from Native American tribes like Ute and Arapaho.

In the late 19th century it became popular among settlers due to gold discoveries nearby; however mining attempts were largely unsuccessful.

It wasn't until mid-20th century that efforts began to protect this unique geological site as a state park by local residents such as Henry S Persse.

Finally designated on May 16,1987 after years of advocacy work led by The Roxborough Protective Association (RPA), today it's recognized nationally as a National Natural Landmark.

Passes
All Colorado State Parks have entrance fees. All vehicles are required to have an entrance pass and some parks have walk-in fees. Visit the Colorado Park Entrance Pass web page.
Visitors Center
The Visitor Center has a small gift shop/book store, interpretive displays, rest rooms, and an auditorium. Stop by and watch our introductory DVD Footprints of Past Present. This presentation beautifully explains the trails, flora, and fauna of the park.


Location
Roxborough State Park is located near Aurora, Castle Rock and Denver

Picnicking
Roxboroughs has 8 small picnic tables on the Visitor Center patio. Visitors are welcome to bring a lunch and eat at one of the small tables on the patio or at a bench along the park trails. Remember to Leave No Trace and to take your trash with you.
Trails
Visitors can take in all of Roxborough's geological wonders via a series of trails for every level of hiker. The trail system consists of 8 trails, totaling approximately 14 miles. The trail system connects to Douglas County Open Space Trails, Pike National Forest Trails, Waterton Canyon, and the Colorado Trail. Pedestrian traffic is the only designated use, which includes hiking, walking, running, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing on designated trails, with no pets permitted. Hikers are reminded to stay on the trail and beware of rattlesnakes and poison ivy.

Fountain Valley Trail
The Fountain Valley Trail begins at the main trail head next to the Visitor Center. It is considered easy to moderate for hiking difficulty and consists of approximately 2.5 mile loop that winds through the Fountain and Lyons rock formations with a moderate change in elevation. ADA accessibility is minimal, though most wheelchairs can maneuver the Fountain Valley Trail with little or no difficulty during good weather conditions. The average hiking time is 1 hour to 1.5 hours.


Willow Creek Trail
The Willow Creek Trail begins at the main trail head next to the Visitor Center. However the trail ends at the lower parking lot. The Willow Creek Trail is mostly a single track trail, is considered moderate for hiking difficulty and consists of approximately 1.5 miles with minimal change in elevation. The Willow Creek Trail winds through scrub oak and the Willow Creek riparian area. The Willow Creek Trail is known for its abundance of wildflowers and variety of birds. The average hiking time is approximately 1 hour.

Willow Creek Falls Trail
The access to the Willow Creek Falls has been rerouted. The Willow Creek Falls can now be accessed by taking the Bear Canyon Trail.

Bear Canyon Trail
The Bear Canyon Trail starts off of the Carpenter Peak Trail, approximately 0.65 miles from the Visitor Center. The trail winds through scrub oak, grassy meadows and ends at the Willow Creek Falls. The Willow Creek Falls are seasonal and are not running throughout the year. The average hiking time is 1 to 1.5 hours.

South Rim Trail
The South Rim Trail begins approximately 0.5 miles from the Visitor Center starting on the Carpenter Peak Trail. The South Rim Trail is a single track trail that is considered moderate for hiking difficulty. It is approximately 1.8 miles long with approximately a 500 foot elevation gain.

Elk Valley Trail
The Elk Valley Trail connects the Carpenter Peak Trail to the Powerline Trail. The Trail begins approximately 1.75 miles from the Visitor Center. It can be reached by taking the Willow Creek Trail to the Carpenter Peak Trail. The Elk Valley Trail is approximately 0.70 miles in length.

Carpenter Peak Trail
The Carpenter Peak Trail begins approximately 0.5 miles up the Willow Creek Trail from the Visitor Center. The Carpenter Peak Trail is a single track trail that branches off from the Willow Creek Trail. It is approximately 3.25 miles in length or 6.5 miles roundtrip.

Dakota Ridge Overlook Trail
The Dakota Ridge Trail starts at Douglas County Road 5 approximately 2.25 miles from the Visitor Center. To reach the trail head you begin at the Visitor Center taking The Willow Creek Trail to the Carpenter Peak Trail and turn left at Douglas County Road 5. The Dakota Ridge Overlook Trail is approximately 0.3 miles long and ends at the Dakota Ridge Overlook. This trail is considered easy in hiking difficulty however the hike to the trail is moderate to strenuous.

The Dakota Ridge Overlook is approximately 10'x8' and includes 1 bench.

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Directions
Directions from Denver, Colorado:

- Get on I-25 S: From downtown Denver, head southeast towards Broadway.
- Take exit 194 for CO-470 W: This is toward Grand Junction.
- Merge with E C/E - 470 Tollway and continue straight.
- Exit onto US Highway 85 South/Santa Fe Drive heading to Castle Rock/Louiseville:
- Turn left at Titan Road after about a mile of driving down Santa Fe drive
- Continue straight until you reach Roxborough Park road then turn right.

From Boulder, Colorado:

-Take the Foothills Parkway southbound which will merge into U.S. Route 36 East (Denver-Boulder Turnpike).
-Merge onto Interstate highway I -25 South via the ramp to Denver.
-Follow directions as listed above once on I/25-South

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Colorado
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Colorado State Parks

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