This is one of the best trail running opportunities near Denver. 18 miles from downtown and easy access from I-70. A favorite loop is the Dakota Ridge/Red Rocks trail. Nearly 6 miles and 1,100 foot elevation gain. Once in this area, be sure to explore Red Rock Park. Note: the parking lot at Matthews/Winters can fill quickly.
Park Information and Map
Features:
Scroll Down For Route Maps
Essentials
- 5.9 miles (9.5 km)
- 1100 foot elev. gain
- Parking Lot
Current Weather & Forecast
Denver, US
7:14 am,
Jun 22, 2026
clear sky
16°C
L: 15°
H: 18°
Daily ForecastHourly Forecast
Today
3:00 pm
15° / 18°°C
0.03 mm
3%
11 mph
56 %
1013 mb
0 mm/h
Tomorrow
3:00 pm
17° / 31°°C
0.64 mm
64%
12 mph
66 %
1014 mb
0 mm/h
Wednesday
3:00 pm
16° / 28°°C
1 mm
100%
7 mph
75 %
1010 mb
0 mm/h
Thursday
3:00 pm
16° / 29°°C
0.99 mm
99%
6 mph
72 %
1011 mb
0 mm/h
Friday
3:00 pm
16° / 30°°C
1 mm
100%
9 mph
76 %
1009 mb
0 mm/h
Today
9:00 am
29° / 30°°C
0.03 mm
3%
3 mph
23 %
1008 mb
0 mm/h
Today
12:00 pm
21° / 24°°C
0 mm
0%
11 mph
40 %
1011 mb
0 mm/h
Today
3:00 pm
18° / 18°°C
0 mm
0%
9 mph
56 %
1013 mb
0 mm/h
Today
6:00 pm
17° / 17°°C
0 mm
0%
6 mph
61 %
1013 mb
0 mm/h
Today
9:00 pm
18° / 18°°C
0 mm
0%
5 mph
59 %
1014 mb
0 mm/h
Tomorrow
12:00 am
25° / 25°°C
0 mm
0%
1 mph
41 %
1012 mb
0 mm/h
Tomorrow
3:00 am
29° / 29°°C
0 mm
0%
5 mph
30 %
1010 mb
0 mm/h
Other Routes in Denver, CO: Suburbs
Some wonderful running options in Lakewood, a suburb 20 miles west of Denver. Hilly trails in William Hayden Green Mountain Park, prairie and reservoir trails in Bear Creek Lake Park, and iconic trails through red rocks in Red Rocks Park.
Belmar Park is the anchor of a route of up to 13.5 miles connecting several parks & reservoirs in Lakewood. Most of the route is off-road on a series of paths & trails.
The Bear Creek multi-use trail connects four parks between Sheridan and Lakewood, making for a longer off-road run with some greenery and shade: Bear Creek Park, Bear Valley Park, Bear Creek Greenbelt, and Bear Creek Lake Park.
Great running options in Littleton: 7.3 mile Mary Carter Greenway headed south from Englewood; 26 miles of scenic trails in Chatfield State Park; wonderful 5-mile loop through open prairie in Hildebrand Ranch Park.
Some great options within 20 miles of Denver: The Mount Falcon Trail in Morrison; Waterton Canyon and the 6-mile wide gravel trail along the South Platte River in Littleton; White Ranch Open Space in Golden; Peaks to Plains Trail in Golden.
Englewood is one of Denver’s major southern suburbs and home to lots of businesses. A great option for running here is Cherry Creek State Park, which is the southeastern terminus of the Cherry Creek Trail that starts in Denver.
Our favorite run in this city of 400,000 east of Denver is a linear park route from Sand Creek Park to Fred Thomas Park. Other good options are the Sand Creek Greenway and High Line Canal multi-use trails.
Good running options near DIA include a route combining several parks; 20 miles of trails in the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge; and several good routes in nearby Aurora.
User Ratings
Leave A Review or Comment
Review or Comment on This Route/Share a Photo!
Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!