Trail Running in Colorado Springs: Garden of the Gods or Red Rock Canyon?
Where should a first-time visitor trail run in Colorado Springs? Choose Garden of the Gods for an easy-to-navigate introduction and Red Rock Canyon Open Space when you want a more flexible dirt-trail workout. Both have striking scenery; neither requires you to start with a steep, remote mountain route. Download the city's current map and pick a turnaround point before you leave the trailhead.
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Start easy at Garden of the Gods
The City of Colorado Springs describes paved paths through the Central Garden and roughly five miles of trails accessed from the South Garden parking lot. That gives you a useful progression: begin on the easier central paths to get oriented, then use the official park map to choose a specific unpaved trail if you want more trail footing. Do not assume a scenic viewpoint and a training run are the same thing. This is a popular visitor park, so leave space for walkers and stop chasing pace when it is crowded.
Choose a dirt route at Red Rock Canyon Open Space
Red Rock Canyon Open Space lists trails including Sand Canyon, Quarry, and the Mesa/Greenlee loop. It also connects to Section 16 and Intemann Trail, which can turn a modest run into a much longer one. For a first visit, stay inside the open-space network and mark the exact junctions on the downloadable map. The city lists portable toilets at the two main parking areas, but you should carry the water you need for your own route.
The trails are shared with cyclists, equestrians and other walkers or runners. The city asks visitors to stay on designated paths and respect restoration closures. If you encounter a muddy or closed section, use an open alternative instead of creating a bypass.
| Today you want... | Try... | Watch for... |
|---|---|---|
| A simple first outing | Garden of the Gods, starting on the mapped central paths | Visitor traffic and the change from pavement to dirt |
| A dirt-trail workout | A mapped Red Rock Canyon loop | Junctions, shared use and restoration closures |
| A longer mountain day | Plan a separate named route | Extra elevation, weather and return time |
A five-minute pre-run plan
- Check the city's park-trail guidance and the current COTREX map for your exact route.
- Look at today's weather and set a turnaround time that leaves room for slower footing.
- Carry water and sun protection appropriate to the exposure and duration.
- Give other users room, especially horses and people on narrow trail.
- Stay on mapped, open trails to protect the landscape.
Route note: Park access, construction and trail conditions change. Use the city's current notices and trailhead signs as the final authority.
Image: Garden of the Gods area, Colorado Springs by Alexander Ramsey, released under CC0 1.0. The picture is context for the park, not a navigation map.