Field guide
Running routes in Denver and nearby mountain parks
Find running routes in Denver's mountain parks. This guide covers trails at Red Rocks Park and hiking options at Rocky Mountain National Park.
Red Rocks Park offers several marked trails for running and hiking. Visitors can choose from shorter pedestrian-only paths or a longer multi-use loop, all at an elevation of approximately 6,280 feet.
Rocky Mountain National Park provides a large system of trails for more extensive hiking. With over 350 miles of trails, planning is necessary. The park provides trail condition reports and maps to help visitors prepare.
| Place | Distance (official) | Hours | Surface |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Rocks Park | 1.4 miles; 6-mile loop (with Matthews / Winters Park) | Open one hour before sunrise and close one hour after sunset | Not listed |
| Rocky Mountain National Park | Over 350 miles | Not listed | Not listed |
Red Rocks Park
This Denver Mountain Park has four pedestrian-only trails, including the 1.4-mile Trading Post Trail and the 1-mile Mt. Vernon Creek Trail. The Funicular Trail is a short, steep option. These trails are for foot traffic only.
For a longer route, the Red Rocks Trail is a 6-mile multi-use loop that connects with another park. This trail permits hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking, including Class 1 E-Bikes. Dogs are permitted on trails but must be on a leash.
- Type of park
- Denver Mountain Park
- Address
- 18300 W. Alameda Parkway, Morrison, CO 80465
- Trading Post Trail length
- 1.4 miles
- Red Rocks Trail loop length
- 6-mile loop (with Matthews / Winters Park)
- Mt. Vernon Creek Trail length
- 1 mile
- Trail elevation
- approximately 6,280 feet above sea level
- Funicular Trail difficulty
- short, steep
- Park and trails hours
- Open one hour before sunrise and close one hour after sunset
Sources: Recreation (redrocksonline.com), Getting Here (redrocksonline.com). Official pages, checked Oct 21, 2026.
Full notes: Running and hiking the Red Rocks Park trails
Rocky Mountain National Park
The park contains over 350 miles of hiking trails. Visitors can find information on trail conditions, which vary by weather and elevation, from official park sources. Specific condition reports are available for climbing Longs Peak or hiking to Chasm Lake.
Before visiting, it is possible to download a park map and check for any raptor closures or pet regulations. The park has visitor centers, shuttle services, and options for camping and wilderness backpacking.
- Mailing Address
- 1000 US Hwy 36, Estes Park, CO 80517
- Total hiking trail length
- Over 350 miles
- Park entrance fees
- Available (details not specified)
- Shuttle services
- Available
- Pet regulations
- Available
- Climbing rules & regulations
- Available
- Raptor Closures
- Implemented
- Trail conditions report
- Available, conditions vary by weather and elevation
Sources: Hiking (nps.gov), Rocky Mountain National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov), Maps (nps.gov). Official pages, checked Oct 21, 2026.
Full notes: Rocky Mountain National Park hike and trail guide
Before you go
- Red Rocks Park is open one hour before sunrise and closes one hour after sunset.
- Rocky Mountain National Park has entrance fees, while Red Rocks Park has free entry and parking.
- Some trails at Red Rocks are multi-use, shared with mountain bikers and horseback riders.
- Check for trail condition reports and potential raptor closures before visiting Rocky Mountain National Park.
- Dogs must be on a leash at all times in Red Rocks Park. Rocky Mountain National Park has its own set of pet regulations.
More cities: City running and hiking guides.