Red Rock Canyon

You can certainly choose your own adventure here. My boyfriend and I ended up walking almost 8 miles by combining various trails. Good amount of parking. Could be more trash bins along the trail, the dog people sometimes left bags or let their animals poop. I really appreciate the variety in views and terrain. And it was free!

This is a nice place if you live locally and the trials are nice. Garden of the Gods is super close by so I would go there as the views and trails are better. However, they allow hiking, biking and horseback. The only con is that people are not picking up after their dogs or leaving their bags on the trail, even though there are posted signs at trailheads asking for dog owners to be respectful.

This is a gorgeous area with plenty of trails for hiking, leisure walking, biking and horse back riding. There are some many trails. We did a two mile loop but we could have easy walked much further. Less busy compared to the Garden of the Gods but same landscape. Enjoy!

I preferred hiking here vs. Garden of the Gods. There were a lot less crowds, more parking, and still some beautiful views. Only about a mile from the south entrance to GotG, we found it very relaxing to hike here. The trails are well maintained, there are hikes from beginner to intermediate level, and various options to connect to other trails, so you don't have to do the same hike every time.

Gorgeous location! Plenty of space to run, walk, hike and walk your pup. Lovely views of the red rocks through the ascension high up the canyon with wide easy to navigate and well labeled trails. Easy to access and just a quick stop outside Colorado Springs.

Love all the many different trails this place offers!! On top of the amazing trails the views you can’t get any where else! People are super nice as well as the trails are kept nice and clean.

Definitely a hidden gem that mostly local enjoy. Love the variety of trails and overall quiet if the place. Views of Garden of the Gods are stunning from this perspective. Really loved the well marked paths and friendly folks we Met along the way. Several options for bikes and dogs are there as well.

Absolutely Gorgeous walking space. Parking is free and easily accessible. The grade of the trail never really gets too steep and is a loop, so getting lost isn't easy. There is plenty of signage and even more scenery! Highly recommend! Bonus Activities: I haven't tried climbing here but there are some good looking routes if you're into that. There is also an off leash fenced dog pen that looks spacious. As an added bonus, there is a bike course, both mountain and BMX.

Colorado is the healthiest state in the US (this is fact, you can look this up on the CDC website) and I can see why. With such amazing hiking available, that is free to residents and visitors, all over the state, it encourages you to get outside and enjoy what mother nature has to offer. Red Rock Canyon Open Space has a series of canyons and ridges sculpted by erosion of the area's uplifted rock strata. The ridges and canyons offer beautiful views that are photo worthy for those wanting to post to their social media (or hey, just keeping these photo keepsakes in your own camera roll is also fine too). Red Rock Canyon Open Space is dog friendly, with some off leash areas (where noted), and 11 trails that you can hike. The trails are anywhere from 1.7 miles to 5.4 miles, with a lot of pretty easy trails for those that are not as active but still want to partake in the journey. You can also see views of Garden of the Gods, which is nearby. Red Rock Canyon Open Space is not nearly as busy as Garden of the Gods (but highly recommend a visit there too, which is also dog friendly). From May 1 and Oct. 31, you can enter Red Rock Canyon Open Space between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m.; during the rest of the year, the park closes at 9 p.m. There is free parking available and also one porta potty at the beginning of the trail (but I did not use it) and also trash cans (I did not see trash cans anywhere else in this open space). My husband and I visited Red Rock Canyon Open Space with our little girl dog. We came on a Sunday afternoon, a little after 1 pm. It was an overcast day, which was nice. But it was rather busy but not crowded. We were able to find a parking spot without any trouble. We only did 2 light trails but enjoyed the views. The trails we had were pretty easy for the most part. We also did see a handful of dogs during our visit. Please note that there is hardly any shade so make sure you plan accordingly (hat to shade your face, plenty of water, etc).

Easily accessible from the highway with appropriate signs you can't miss! Parking is ample and a short walk away from the main trail. The trail is easy, not a lot of incline and designed to be winding so you get a slow but curious discovery of what else is there beyond the very first red rock formation that you see from the parking area. This is definitely family friendly, easier hike for younger kids and hikers challenged by steep incline or rocky terrains. The view of course is limited and not as quite breathtaking as Garden of the Gods but it has its positives of accessibility and easy to explore trails.

Such a stunning hike! There were so many trails to chose from and it felt like each one had so many unique focal points. I can't wait to come back and explore more. Why I haven't hiked here prior to today is beyond me.

Spectacular scenery, excellent hiking trails and ample parking. With over 13+ miles of trails, covering over 1,400 acres, and ranging from, 1 to 5 miles in length, trails are categorize as; easy, intermediate, or advanced. I definitely recommend wearing hiking boots and bringing plenty of water. The trails are maintained but some parts could be uneven and a bit challenging.

Unlike the busier Garden of the Gods, this spot is much quieter, with plenty of parking and fewer crowds - perfect for a peaceful outdoor day. We took the easy 1.8 mile mesa, greenlee and red rock canyon path loop trail, and it was fantastic. The trails are well-paved and easy to navigate, making it ideal for all skill levels. There are fun paths where you can scramble over rocks and explore unique viewpoints. During sunset, the sunlight cast a warm, golden glow on the red rocks, adding a special touch to the peaceful atmosphere. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a relaxed hike in a beautiful, serene setting.

Nice scenery and trail to walk. We had a group of us sightseeing and just walking along the path. We were trying to find the off leash dog area and never found it. We probably went in the up pair opposite way, but we already walked a long path, and that was good enough for us. The view was great, and my young boys really enjoyed the trails.

If you're already visiting Garden of the Gods, it's a mistake to ignore the Red Rock Canyon open space. There's plenty of trails to hike around with excellent rock formations as well as views of the Garden of the Gods. There's no need to do all the hikes, but you can easily squeeze in a short hike. There's truly a no frills aspect to hiking around here, which makes it fun for everyone involved. I'd highly recommend.

I like to refer to this place as Garden of the Gods lite. It has similar red rock structures but on a much smaller scale. It spans about 1,474-acres. There are a few parking lots that you can park in and the place has some nice trails to trek. Some of the trails are a bit hilly, so be prepared to climb. The space also has a nice dog park, but it is not fenced in, so I do not know exactly how that works. You will find huge open fields where people walk their dogs and let them roam free. On the opposite side, near the dog park, you will find an area with picnic tables. I did not see any restroom facilities here, but I did see a few porta-potties where you could handle your business. It is a picturesque park with trails for days. It feeds into the Intemann Trail. They do allow rock climbing, with a permit of course, in certain areas. In addition to hiking and rock climbing, the park welcomes bicyclers and horseback riders and has trails for them to transit and explore. As with most hiking trails and parks, it is best if you come prepared. A good start would be to bring some water and wear some comfortable shoes. There is not much shade out there, so a hat would be great too. I like this park. It is not as busy as the Garden of Gods, but has a similar effect. You could easily spend a half of a day here. I highly recommend checking this park out. It is easy to get in and out of, has breathtaking scenery, and lots of amenities to offer. I really enjoyed my time here and am sure that you will too.

If you want a pleasant moderate hike with plenty of options Red Rock Canyon open space is a great option. Dogs are welcome. Hikers and Bikers. Well marked trail heads. Nice parking lot. And whatcha know....there is a Rudy's BBQ right next door...oh my

I love going there! Beautiful, scenic, and always see some kind of wildlife!! Love going with the fam!

This is a very beautiful area in which to go and explore. Lots of gorgeous rocks to see and seemingly endless amounts of trails that all intertwine. The trails are all pretty easy. Mountain bikes are also able to use this area. There is no shade available. so please be sure to bring water for yourself and also for your dogs if you are bringing them. Saw lots of dogs out the day we were there. It was super hot and didnt see too many folks carrying water with them. There were dog poop bags at the trail head and also trash cans. Only port a potties for toilets and the day we were there, there was not any toilet paper so may want to bring some with you. They were also kind of dirty inside....... A lot of the maps were ripped up on parts so hard to map out exactly where you wanted to go but I do believe it would be hard to get lost. A couple of big parking lots so should be ample space to park. As with any trail in colorado do not leave anything of value in your car. Unfortunately thieves are hitting trailheads across the state. Dont leave or hide your purse or your wallet or electronics. Dont leave bags in your car. You dont want to come off a beautiful hike and adventure and end up having a bad day because someone broke into your car. They are frequently doing window smashes or door lock bust-ins. If I were in the area I would come back and hike here, there were so many trails to explore. I would probably ideally do it not in the summer though unless you can get there pretty early.

I've gone here several time now and enjoy the varying terrain and vegetation as you go around. It's got climbing areas, the small reservoir, a rock quarry...basically every mile or so of hiking turns into a new area to check out. The red rocks are great to photograph and, as you go up in elevation, you get a few views of Garden of the Gods and the Manitou Incline.

A lot of parking lots and spaces. Unfortunately, we came here in the late afternoon. We did Pike's Peak and Garden of the Gods before this. We didn't get a lot of time to explore. The lake was dried up, not very aesthetic for pictures. We got to see some deer. Free to come in.

Outstanding place to spend a morning!! If you're coming with littles- I'd suggest a carrier, not a stroller. Tons of hiking options, our kiddos loved climbing in and around all of the rocks!! Best part- it's free!! Views are spectacular!!

I love it here! And I too almost didn't want to leave a review with the chances of others catching on to this COS open space. The views of Cheyenne Mountain are beautiful with easily marked trails preventing the chances of getting off course. It helps that there are trail maps placed throughout the park. Absolutely come with water especially during the hot summers. Dogs are allowed while on a leash. There are two free parking lots so please help keep our park clean by picking up after yourself and leaving no trails of trash behind. This helps ensure we, as guests, can continue visiting beautiful spaces likes Red Rock Canyon for free. And my best advice: come early in the morning to avoid the crowds as it can absolutely get crowded. And quick

Super beautiful area with tons of different trails! I went this am 4/26 and saw only a couple of people on my walk (probably since it's a weekday). I started on the canyon trail, was on round up for a bit and ended on mesa trail back to my car which was 3.3miles total. It was a beautiful day and I was rewarded with beautiful Mountain View's, cute birds, flowers, garden of the gods, red rocks and blue skies. It was mostly flat so this is great for a chill outdoor walk if you don't want to go on an intense hike! It's also pretty darn close to town which makes it easy to get to. 10/10 would recommend!

We came for a morning hike during a cold Colorado day (roughly 40°F with small wind gusts). We completely underestimated the size of this area. We assumed it was just a small circle going around the larger rock formations. Boy were we wrong! As we made our way around the marked path, we made the not-so-smart decision to choose a trail without consulting the provided map post. Well we chose the most difficult path and ended up hiking for close to 3 hours through winding paths, some covered in ice, and going up high inclines with incredibly rewarding views. We went with our dog who absolutely loved everything and even guided us back down to the parking lot, but please come prepared as there are no water stations nor poo bag dispensers. We hiked closed to 5 miles and loved every minute.

I've been coming here for years with my little dog. Of course it's beautiful, and they've added more parking in the past couple years so you can get in without waiting for another car to leave. The off-leash dog trail is where we usually start, and my little guy just loves tearing around in there. Most owners and dogs are friendly and respectful, really great folks-- but be warned, my little guy was attacked, unprovoked, tearing his lower eyelid, by another dog whose owner wanted to make like it was no big deal. If your dog doesn't play well with others, please, please, please keep him on leash!

This is such a beautiful area to go out for a hike. The views were gorgeous and the definition and layers of the rocks were incredible! We barely explored any of the park because we ran out of water but I'm sure we could have spent a ton of time there. I definitely recommend going here to see all the incredible wildlife and scenery!

This place is great as it is right in Colorado Springs but puts you smack dab in the middle of nature! If you're into Mountain biking there are trails and even a terrain park. We didn't see anyone in there but I imagine if that's your thing, you'd enjoy it. It is the first designated area I've seen in a park like that. So, again, I'm writing as an injured person with a foot and knee injury. The injuries are currently limited my mobility and ability to do climbing and too much varied terrain. This place has a good mix of green, blue and black trails. For obvious reasons we stayed on the easier trails. The majority of the trails are a good width and there are views all over. It's one of those places that as you make a turn or come into another clear area, there's another awesome view. I think it is very similar to Garden of the Gods with the red rocks and proximity to them. But A LOT less people - especially for a Saturday, which is when we went. I'd choose this over there just to avoid the crowds. If given the chance, I would strongly suggest going here.

This could quite possibly be the best place to hike in the Springs. It has all of the glamour and beauty of Garden of the Gods without as many tourists. It's the more "local" place to go, and has quite a few different attractions. There are some more strenuous hikes if you're up for a challenge, but most trails are relatively flat and wide, making them excellent for mountain biking or trail running. There is a cute little pond in the park too! It can be crowded, but there isn't a ton of parking, so that keeps the crowds down for sure. UPDATE- we brought a group here for school, and it was the perfect place! The trails are wide and well-marked. It made for a fabulous way to get kids outside!

Great trails, lots of different ones that allow you to control the length of your walk/hike, and the trails are clean! You can bring your pups which is a huge bonus! This place can get super crowded so just be mindful of that with your timing!

Soooo many trails to walk, not much shade going on. Make sure you bring lots of water, sunblock, snacks, and get ready for a lovely time with nature. Have to go back there to do the other side of the park.

Absolutely Beautiful a must see. No words to express. Quiet and peaceful. Historic! Use caution as there's dips, rocks and roots.

As a beginner on trails and hiking, Red Rocks Canyon Open Space has been one of the perfect places to start! The trails aren't too complicated and there's many different paths to take. There are signs directing you to each trail so you won't get lost. On my last hike/walk, I was out in the sun for majority of the time, so make sure to lather on that sun screen!! These trails have plenty of opportunities for taking in the mountain views, getting some gorgeous photos, or even stopping to rest at the benches on the way. I'm excited to add RRCOS to my list of go-to trails!!

I loved it hear there is such an amazing view and a very relaxing place to walk around. There's not a lot of people I think it must mostly be local's that go here to exercise and they have a dog park as well. We stopped here because we saw the sign and it was just a random stop. Totally worth it

This is one of my favorite spots. I love going on my own or when friends visit from out of town. It's perfect for everyone including kids! It's beautiful and has multiple trails that range from advance to beginner! Some trails are bike and stroller friendly. The views are incredible and there are some trails that can be very challenging and physically demanding. I never get tired of coming here and it's also a perfect place for photos. My favorite trail has to be the contemplative trail. It's on the easier side but provides great insight! Overall, if you are looking for a strenuous workout or just enjoy the beautiful views this is the place! Red rocks are one of the best hiking trails you will experience!

This was a beautiful little hiking area! It looks really awesome for mountain biking, I'll have to give that a try next visit. It was a real disappointment seeing how many dog owners don't clean up after their mangy mutt butts!!! Shame on you nasty suckers!!! After going here, it seems there's much more to this place than what we saw. I looked at it on Instagram and there seems to be a lot more cool stuff here that we did not see. I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of it the next time we visit Col

I didn't want to write this review, mostly because I don't like to encourage people to visit Red Rocks Open Space - Its been getting busier and busier in the last two summers and I feel a bit protective about this park. This place is stunningly beautiful, right in the middle of the city, with parking and easy, gentle hikes for everyone in the family. Think Garden of the Gods, with slightly smaller crowds . Its easily accessible, it has a great dog park, and a beautiful lake that you can sit by and have a picnic. Most trails are wide and relatively flat, and you will surely encounter mounter bikers while you are there. If you have not been to Red Rocks Open Space, I recommend you give it a go. Make sure to lock your doors and take water with you.

Ok, this place is WONDERFUL! I'd go here 100 times over the Garden of the Gods. Absolutely beautiful and breathtaking views. The trails aren't too challenging so anyone can participate.

We you got to Colorado Springs everyone talks about garden of the gods which is also so beautiful but this is a hidden gem! Red rock canyon is beautiful. It is an easy hike but the views are beautiful and so breathtaking. It's a good hike to see beauty but also be able to be socal is and talk with friends along the way without it being a strenuous hike. You have to go here if you come to Colorado Springs!

Dope trails in the Colorado Springs area. So many trails and paths to choose from. If you're not map saavy, best to download AllTrails to discern where you're headed. There are some good inclines that range from easy to moderate, I didn't find any to be difficult as they were posted on the park maps, but that could depend person to person. Weather was decent not great and although it was cloudy, the rocks were as beautiful and vivid as ever and oh boy the views were still on point - from the upper dog park area, you can see Garden of the Gods pretty clearly and look out over the neighboring areas between Red Rocks and GoG. We loved it here, as it was our last stop on a family tour of Colorado and Utah. We couldn't have picked a better day date.

Came here after dinner to escape the heat so by 6:45 it cooled down enough for a short hike. Would have liked to have done a longer one if it wasn't for the heat. The trails were not that well marked but if you use gps on your phone you can find your way. Beautiful scenery and spotted 4 deer grazing! Came on a Tuesday evening so plenty of free parking and not crowded at all. Highly recommend this place!

Great place to visit. If you are in Colorado don't miss this place. You won't regret it. Just drive up.

Red Rock Canyon Open Space is beautiful! There are numerous hiking/biking trails with stunning scenery. It is in a great location. Perfect for a solo hiking adventure. Dogs are welcome.

If you love hiking and trails with different degrees of difficulties all-in-one spot, you'll like this place! The day after sitting in the car all day, I wanted to move around, walk and hike a bit. Since we had already gone to the Garden of the Gods, we ventured this way after visiting the Manitou Cliff Dwellings just down the road. We didn't have a map, but another patron had gave us one as he was walking down the hill (at the conclusion of his hike). We chose the path that brought us by the lake and up a trail. It was very windy that day and it even began to rain. There was no one else around, except me and my family. As we were walking up the trail, it started to get dark, rain a bit and the wind started to blow. The tall trees against the mountain started to sway and I was scared! We opted to turn back around and take another trail. The wind was blowing so hard that it even blew my hat away. It was one of my fave hats, so I was sad that it was gone forever. We trekked down another trail that I felt safer on. Another fun hike in CO!

This is one of my favorite places in the area. It is really versatile in that you can do a short, easy hike or you can step it up a notch and venture further up into the mountain to find moderate to hard trails. You can also rock climb, mountain bike, or trail run as well. There is even a small bike park to practice your moves. There really isn't a bad view anywhere either. It's gorgeous in any season. If winter time though, there will be snow and ice the further up the trails you go so boots are recommended. It is also a leashed dog-friendly park so you'll see lots of furry friends. There is a designated fenced-in area for dogs too! Just keep in mind, it is all size dogs welcome for those who may have a temperamental furbaby or little pups. There are also two parking lots and both have porta-potties as well as trash bins. When the weather is nice /or weekends, get here early because the parking lot will be packed to the gills.

The weather is good for hiking! I stayed on the hiking only trails. I Had a great hike up to Roundup trail and back down. It was doable. Open Space is a must visit for hikers of all ages! Loved the Stunning Red Rocks! Really Nice to photograph!

This place is awesome! Great place to hike. There are so many trails and so much space to walk. The lake is a nice, beautiful scenic touch. The views from most points in this place are just breath taking. I would recommend everyone and anyone to experience hiking in this amazing place. It is dog friendly and has plenty of space to park. I definitely visit every so often a take a nice hike into the gorgeousness of the red rocks and the mountain views. Lots of inclining as well, so prepare yourselves for a nice workout. Also pretty close to Manitou Springs which is always very fun to visit and dip your toes in the ice water creek after a nice hike here.

This was one of our favorite places! The trails are really accessible for young kids and it's dog friendly - they have a whole off leash fenced area! We loved the quarry trail.

STUNNING!!! Beautiful, well-kept trails, and well marked. Thank you COS!

I had not planned on visiting this 780 acre city-owned park, but on the spur of the moment pulled into the parking lot and checked the trail map. I chose the Mesa Trail thought in retrospect I should have taken one of the trails leading to the ponds. The trail was easy going, but after 45 minutes I had turn around due to a prior commitment.

GREAT PLACE FOR EVERYONE! This is a great location for an easy hike/walk for people of all ages and all abilities. From the parking lot there is a slight incline but nothing too dramatic. You can have a casual stroll or you can go off the main area off to the sides and back and find more challenging trails. While some people jog/run or bike through the area, most walk. There are amazing red rock formations that will literally make you stop and stare. There are also areas where people can climb/scramble the rock face on ropes. Anchors are already in the rocks in many places. The main feature is the old quarry where over 100 years ago they cut out huge blocks of stone. It's really cool and you can walk right up into the heart of it and see the cutting lines. It's remarkable. Conveniently located off the 24 in western Colorado Springs near Manitou Springs, I think you will enjoy a nice walk/hike, stretch your legs and get some fresh air! TIP: Dogs welcome on a leash. TIP 2: Ample handicap parking makes this a nice place for anyone with limited mobility or in a wheelchair, an opportunity to enjoy nature on a relatively flat surface.

This place rocks! Seriously a beautiful place to walk, ride bikes, theres even a separate dog park that is large enough you may not run into another person or dog. Lots of wildflowers. Free parking. Are three separate parking lots which lead to separate areas. Dogs must be on leash except at dog park. Can get pretty warm here during day as not all trails are shaded. Bring your camera!

Beautiful area for a hike with multiple trails and views of Garden of the Gods! Good for an easier hike/walk.

This is a FANTASTIC spot in Colorado Springs! First of all, it is FREE, which allows you to spend your $$ at other fun places such as Rasta Pasta (see my last review). Second, it is great for people at all levels of hiking. You can really do a lot at Red Rock Canyon and no matter what your hiking style may be, RRC is GORGEOUS. I went with my mom and we walked around and took some fantastic photographs. We also saw two ospreys that have built their nest in the side of one of the rocks! It was so cool! Parking was not an issue when we went which was close to dusk. It was perfect because we got to see the sunset over the rocks which was just phenomenal. I would remind you that there are snakes and other wildlife in this area so be vigilant when checking out any of the hiking areas in Colorado Springs but this one should be a must on your list. It is wonderful and is also conveniently located near other great spots like Manitou Springs and Garden of the Gods.

What a beautiful place. I normally go to garden of the gods while visiting c-Springs but a local friend recommended checking this place out and I'm SO glad they did. Way way way less crowded than GOTG and lots to explore. Easy hiking with young children. Quick notes: Porta potty's only, no bathrooms. Multiple parking lots.

Lovely hiking trails and great views! Our dogs loved it and so did we,so beautiful! Highly recommend you see it for yourself!

This is probably my favorite place for walking/hiking. The red rock formations are beautiful. There are many trails to walk or ride here. I didn't read the posted signs, so I don't know much about the place. I do recommend stopping here though!