Roxborough State Park South Rim Trail

ByChristine Updated on

The South Rim Trail is a must do hike at Roxborough State Park. This trail is absolutely spectacular and has some of the best views over the park from above as well as down into Denver.

DISCLAIMER: This post may contain links to affiliate websites. When you click on and/or make a purchase through an affiliate link placed on our website, we may receive a small commission or other form of compensation at no additional cost to you. Please read our disclaimer for more info.

View from Roxborough State Park South Rim Trail looking down on a green valley with striking red rock fins.

South Rim Trail Hike

To hike the South Rim Trail, you’ll start at the visitor center and head south on the Willow Creek Trail, then connecting to the South Rim Trail via the Carpenter Peak Trail.

Once you’ve hiked the 1.8 mile portion that is the South Rim Trail, you’ll connect again to the Willow Creek Trail to loop back to the visitor center. In all, you’ll hike around 3 miles.

You will have some uphill and downhill sections to get up to the ridge and then back down again. But that’s the point of this hike!

Roxborough State Park South Rim Trail takes you up onto the outcroppings and along the rim so you get an entirely different view of the park than from where you start down below. It’s our favorite trail in the park for epic views.

You can see everything from above and have a view along the entire length of the formations. It really gives you a good perspective on how far the red rock fins go.

From some spots you can see downtown Denver as well.

Roxborough State Park in the Summer

Roxborough State Park is a great park to visit in the summer and warmer months. The bright red and bright greens look so pretty together.

These months are great for seeing more wildlife. You can potentially see birds, fox, mule deer, elk, rabbits, prairie dogs, bobcats, mountain lions, and black bears. The weather is great for bringing a picnic to enjoy as well.

Be prepared for the sun and heat with sunscreen and protective clothing as well as plenty of water.

South Rim Trail with Kids

Some kids might find this trail too strenuous but others will have to problem with it. If you’re looking for just one hike in Roxborough State Park I’d instead recommend the Fountain Valley Loop Trail which is flatter, shorter, and more kid friendly.

Always watch out for rattlesnakes when hiking with kids.

Things to Know

Location

Roxborough State Park is located southwest of Denver, not far from Chatfield State Park, at 4751 Roxborough Dr, Littleton, CO 80125

Costs

A daily vehicle pass costs $​10. Annual passes are available for $80, and if you’re bringing your family, you can get a family annual pass for $120. If you’d like red rocks without the entrance fee I’d recommend South Valley Park only about 20 minutes north of here.

Pets

Pets are not allowed in Roxborough State Park.

Visitor Center

The visitor center has exhibits, artifacts on display that were found in the park, restroom facilities, and picnic tables out on its patio.

Christine is the co-founder of Never Stop Adventuring, and an avid traveler who started traveling the world as a child growing up in a military family. She even lived in Germany for numerous years. Since then she has been to 48 U.S. states, 17 countries, and traveled the U.S. in an RV for over 7 years.

With her 3 kids, the adventures continued family travel style. She has planned and coordinated travel with kids for the last 10 years and shares family travel tips and tricks, destinations, costs and even the mistakes so you can be empowered to take your own family trips with confidence!