Memorial Day Office Closure

Colorado Parks and Wildlife offices will be closed for the state holiday, Monday, May 25. To honor military members for their service CPW offers active duty military and veteran benefits to enjoy fishing, hunting and state parks.

Roxborough State Park

State Park in Roxborough, CO

Hours:

Park: Daily 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.  

Office: Daily 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Entrance Fees:

Daily Vehicle Pass: $​10-$15
Individual Daily Pass: $4

Animals Permitted:

  • Service Animals
  • Leashed Dogs
  • Horses

Park Address:

4751 East Roxborough Drive
Roxborough, CO 80125
United States

Contact:

303- 973-3959

[email protected]

Roxborough State Park

State Park in Roxborough, CO

Hours:

Park: Daily 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.  

Office: Daily 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Entrance Fees:

Daily Vehicle Pass: $​10-$15
Individual Daily Pass: $4

Animals Permitted:

  • Service Animals
  • Leashed Dogs
  • Horses

Park Address:

4751 East Roxborough Drive
Roxborough, CO 80125
United States

Contact:

303- 973-3959

[email protected]

Navigate to:

Hiking

Visitors hiking on a trail

Activities and Trails

What to Do at Roxborough

Roxborough State Park, near Denver, offers nearly 4,000 acres of stunning red rocks, diverse plant life, and wildlife like black bears and mule deer. Visitors can enjoy year-round activities including hiking, trail running, cross-country skiing and bird watching. Whether you're new to the outdoors or an experienced adventurer, there is something for everyone.

Many educational programs are available throughout the year. See the list of programs and registration information.

Activities

  • Birding
  • Cross-country Skiing
  • Education Programs
  • Events
  • Hiking
  • Picnicking
  • Snowshoeing
  • Wildlife Viewing

Best of Roxborough

Red Rock formations

Red Rock Formations

​The geology of Roxborough State Park provides a rich storyline of life spanning hundreds of thousands of years. With different time periods represented in 8 different rock formations found in the park, visitors can learn what the Denver area has looked like throughout history.

Birding

Birding

The Audubon Society recognizes Roxborough as an Important Bird Area. Visitors can join guided hikes led by naturalists, suitable for all skill levels.

Picnicking

Picnicking

Roxboroughs has eight small picnic tables on the Visitor Center patio. Visitors are welcome to bring a lunch and eat at one of the small tables on the patio or at a bench along the park trails.

Wildlife viewing

Watch Wildlife

There are many opportunities for wildlife viewing. There is an abundance of birds, fox and mule deer, with occasional sightings of bobcat, mountain lion and black bear. While you many not see all the wildlife in the park, there are always signs of their presence on the trail.

Upcoming Events

May

23

Persse Place Open House

May 23, 2026 Β· 9:30am - May 23, 2026 Β· 12:30pm

Roxborough State Park

Come out and tour the historical Persse Place and learn about life at Roxborough way before it became a state park!

May

23

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Persse Place Open House

May 23, 2026 Β· 9:30am - May 23, 2026 Β· 12:30pm

Roxborough State Park

Come out and tour the historical Persse Place and learn about life at Roxborough way before it became a state park!

Roxborough Puppet Theater stage set up for winter

May

23

Roxborough Puppet Theater

May 23, 2026 Β· 10:00am - May 23, 2026 Β· 11:00am

Roxborough State Park

Roxborough puppets present short stories of wildlife!

Roxborough Puppet Theater stage set up for winter

May

23

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Roxborough Puppet Theater

May 23, 2026 Β· 10:00am - May 23, 2026 Β· 11:00am

Roxborough State Park

Roxborough puppets present short stories of wildlife!

Visitors at educational tables with red rocks in background

May

23

Birds of Roxborough State Park

May 23, 2026 Β· 10:00am - May 23, 2026 Β· 1:00pm

Roxborough State Park

Join us to find out what the birds of our park look like, where to find them, and how to identify them!

Visitors at educational tables with red rocks in background

May

23

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Birds of Roxborough State Park

May 23, 2026 Β· 10:00am - May 23, 2026 Β· 1:00pm

Roxborough State Park

Join us to find out what the birds of our park look like, where to find them, and how to identify them!

May

23

Persse Place Open House

May 23, 2026 Β· 9:30am - May 23, 2026 Β· 12:30pm

Roxborough State Park

Come out and tour the historical Persse Place and learn about life at Roxborough way before it became a state park!

May

23

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Persse Place Open House

May 23, 2026 Β· 9:30am - May 23, 2026 Β· 12:30pm

Roxborough State Park

Come out and tour the historical Persse Place and learn about life at Roxborough way before it became a state park!

Roxborough Puppet Theater stage set up for winter

May

23

Roxborough Puppet Theater

May 23, 2026 Β· 10:00am - May 23, 2026 Β· 11:00am

Roxborough State Park

Roxborough puppets present short stories of wildlife!

Roxborough Puppet Theater stage set up for winter

May

23

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Roxborough Puppet Theater

May 23, 2026 Β· 10:00am - May 23, 2026 Β· 11:00am

Roxborough State Park

Roxborough puppets present short stories of wildlife!

Visitors at educational tables with red rocks in background

May

23

Birds of Roxborough State Park

May 23, 2026 Β· 10:00am - May 23, 2026 Β· 1:00pm

Roxborough State Park

Join us to find out what the birds of our park look like, where to find them, and how to identify them!

Visitors at educational tables with red rocks in background

May

23

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Birds of Roxborough State Park

May 23, 2026 Β· 10:00am - May 23, 2026 Β· 1:00pm

Roxborough State Park

Join us to find out what the birds of our park look like, where to find them, and how to identify them!

Hiking, Biking and Horseback Riding

Trails

The trail system connects to Douglas County Open Space Trails​, Pike National Forest Trails​, Waterton Canyon​ and the Colorado Trail. Hikers are reminded to stay on the trail and beware of rattlesnakes and poison ivy. 

    Conditions & Closures

    There are no special conditions or closures at this time. 

    Hiking boot icon

    Fountain Valley Trail

    2.5 mile loop
    Hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing
    Minimal ADA accessibility

    Access point: Close to Visitor Center

    Hiking boot icon

    Willow Creek Trail

    1.5 miles
    Hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing

    Access point: Close to Visitor Center

    Hiking boot icon

    Bear Canyon Trail

    Hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing

    Access point: Carpenter Peak Trail

    Hiking boot icon

    South Rim Trail

    1.8 miles
    Hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing

    Access point: Willow Creek Trail and Carpenter Peak Trail

    Hiking boot icon

    Carpenter Peak Trail

    3.25 miles one way
    6.5 miles roundtrip
    Hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing

    Hiking boot icon

    Dakota Ridge Overlook Trail

    0.3 miles
    Hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing

    Access point: Douglas County Road 5

    Hiking boot icon

    Elk Valley Trail

    0.7 miles
    Hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing

    Access point: Willow Creek Trail to Carpenter Trail

    Hiking boot icon

    Fountain Valley Trail

    2.5 mile loop
    Hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing
    Minimal ADA accessibility

    Access point: Close to Visitor Center

    Hiking boot icon

    Willow Creek Trail

    1.5 miles
    Hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing

    Access point: Close to Visitor Center

    Hiking boot icon

    Bear Canyon Trail

    Hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing

    Access point: Carpenter Peak Trail

    Hiking boot icon

    South Rim Trail

    1.8 miles
    Hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing

    Access point: Willow Creek Trail and Carpenter Peak Trail

    Hiking boot icon

    Carpenter Peak Trail

    3.25 miles one way
    6.5 miles roundtrip
    Hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing

    Hiking boot icon

    Dakota Ridge Overlook Trail

    0.3 miles
    Hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing

    Access point: Douglas County Road 5

    Hiking boot icon

    Elk Valley Trail

    0.7 miles
    Hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing

    Access point: Willow Creek Trail to Carpenter Trail

    Group Activities

    Special Activity Agreement and Permits

    A Special Activity Agreement may be required if you are an organized group, profit or non-profit planning to organize a specific activity. Past examples include running events, church groups, commercial events, filming, professional photography and weddings.

      If you have another kind of event in mind or if you are unsure if your event is suitable for Roxborough State Park, please contact the park at 303-973-3959 or by email at [email protected] with details about your event or activity, and we will let you know if you are in need of a Special Activity Agreement

      Please submit your application at least 90 days ahead of the date of your event or activity to see if you need to complete a Special Activity Agreement. Please submit all forms by email to [email protected]​.

      Groups of 10 or more wanting to visit the park must submit a Special Activity Agreement and receive approval from the park manager prior to arrival. To limit the impact on trails and facilities, groups this size will not be approved for weekends during the months of May through October.

      All commercial photography, including photography businesses taking senior or family portraits, must acquire a permit with the park prior to arriving. 

      To apply for a photography permit, please fill out the Special Activity Agreement and email it to [email protected]​ at least 90 days ahead of your first session.