Red Rock Canyon Open Space | City of Colorado Springs

red rocks that have long horizontal steps like a ziggurat that are left over from quarry operations

About

By receiving this highest standard of recognition, Gold Standard Sites are exemplary models, encouraging other public lands to ensure that Leave No Trace education is part of everyone’s experience when spending time outdoors. Learn more about what it means to be a Gold Standard Site here.

Location

Red Rock Canyon Open Space is located along Highway 24.

3550 W High St, Colorado Springs, CO 80904

Directions

From I-25 take the Cimarron Street exit west.
Turn left onto Ridge Road (There is a turn lane but no stop light or stop sign. The turn is after 31st Street which is a stop light)
Enter the roundabout and take the second exit onto W. High Street
There are two parking areas on the right side of W. High Street

Follow the Leave No Trace Seven Principles

The City of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services department is proudly partnered with the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics in order to promote environmental stewardship and safeguard the natural, cultural, and historical resources that make Colorado Springs such a fantastic place to live and visit. Follow the Leave No Trace Seven Principles to help keep our parks, trails, and open spaces healthy and sustainable. Learn more at lnt.org

	Plan ahead and prepare. Know Before You Go! Check the forecast, plan your route, read posted rules, and snap a pic of the map! Be prepared for changing weather and seasonal conditions. A little preparation goes a long way!
	Travel on durable surfaces. Stay on designated trails to minimize erosion, and respect closures of unapproved trails and restoration areas. Muddy trails? Hike right through them, or try another trail instead of trampling vegetation.
	Dispose of waste properly. Dog waste, food scraps, and other “biodegradable” trash are unhealthy for wildlife and can pollute our water; always dispose of all waste in trash cans located at the trailhead.
	Leave what you find. Red Rock Canyon has a lot to see, from stunning rocks to delicate wildflowers. Take a picture of what you find, and leave it for others to enjoy!
	Be careful with fire. Don’t get burned: fires, grilling, and smoking are prohibited in Red Rock Canyon Open Space. Open flames don’t mix with Open Space- help us prevent wildfires from damaging Red Rock Canyon!
	Respect wildlife. Sometimes a long-distance relationship is healthy: Observe wildlife from a respectful distance. Do not feed wildlife or leave food scraps- studies show that fed animals become dead animals!
	Be considerate of others. Practice recreational empathy. Enhance the experience of other visitors and share the trail. Cyclists: ride in control and yield to other users. Everyone yields to equestrians. Say “hello” and make a friend!

Amenities

Off-leash dog area
Picnic Pavilion
Rock climbing (permit required)
Portable toilets at both main parking lots
Dirt trails for pedestrians, bikes, horses and leashed dogs (on trails other than the off-leash areas)
Connection to Section 16 and Intemann Trail
Bike only area

Trails

Download printable trail map
Contemplative Trail
Sand Canyon Trail
Mesa/Greenlee Trail loop
Roundup Trail
Upper and Lower dog loops (off-leash dog areas)
Quarry Trail
Hogback Trail/Lion Loop

History

The preservation of the Red Rock Canyon Open Space was made possible through partnership and widespread community support:

Citizens of Colorado Springs
City of Colorado Springs TOPS Program
City of Manitou Springs
El Paso County
Friends of Red Rock Canyon
Great Outdoors Colorado
The Palmer Land Trust
The Trails and Open Space Coalition
The Trust for Public Lands

History:
Activity on Red Rock Canyon dates back to 7000 B.C., during the Archaic Stage. Due to its close proximity to Fountain Creek and its abundant wildlife, this was an ideal location for settlement.

During the late 1800s, the property provided many building supplies for Old Colorado City and the surrounding communities. Material taken from the quarries included Gypsum, building sand and sandstone blocks. The Kenmuir Quarry, mined during this time, was open seven days a week due to demand. Declining demand for stone and increased demand for concrete and steel forced the quarry to close in the early part of the 20th Century.

Opening in 1886, the Colorado-Philadelphia Company Mill used the land to refine the ore shipped by train from the gold mines in Cripple Creek. It was the largest mill of its kind in the United States until the new Golden Cycle Mill was built in the early part of the 1900s.

John George Bock purchased the property in the 1920s-1930s and later willed it to his two sons. John S. Bock, the eldest son, continued to live there until his death in 2002. The family had grand plans for the property including a resort community with a convention center, high-rise towers, commercial centers and a golf course. In the end, they were only able to build a few residences and outbuildings, two dozen mobile home sites, a 53-acre landfill, and two gravel quarries. In 2003, the City of Colorado Springs purchased the Red Rock Canyon property to be used as public open space.

2023 Improvements

In compliance with the 2013 Red Rock Canyon Open Space , the city’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Dept will be working in RRCOS to address sustainability issues on several popular trails. This work is being done to address damage to existing trail, re-route unsustainable trail which cannot be improved within existing trail corridor, and improve safety and user experience while maintaining the overall character of the trails.

Learn more

Master Plan

Master Plan(s)
Red Rock Canyon Interpretive Plan
Red Rock Canyon Management Plan
Red Rock Canyon Open Space Master Plan

The master plan for Red Rock Canyon Open Space was completed in 2013. We would like to thank everyone who participated in the master plan process, for your dedication and passion for our natural areas. We look forward to continuing our collaboration to implement the recommendations.