Local Places to Run

With so many beautiful places to run, a vibrant running community including some of the country's top elite runners, and the opportunity to run a race just about every weekend, Colorado Springs is a playground for runners of all abilities.

Below is a listing of just some of the wonder places to run and enjoy the outdoors in our community.

• Palmer Park

  Palmer Park may be one of the best city parks in the whole country. Centrally located with a extensive trail network, Palmer Park is the host of several local races such as the Rescue Run and the Hellacious Trail Challenge.

• Ute Valley Park

  Ute Valley Park is city park located on the North West side of Colorado Springs. It is very popular with runners, mountain bikers and hikers and is host to the third race in the Pikes Peak Road Runners Fall Series.

• Monument Valley Park and the Santa Fe Trail

  Monument Valley Park is very popular with lunch runners downtown and connects to the Santa Fe Trail heading North and South. Races held on this trail include the Nielson Challenge, the Fall Series, the American Discovery Trail Marathon and several others.

• Bear Creek Park

  Located on the West side of town, Bear Creek Park has some very hilly terrain and some great single track and is popular with runners, mountain bikers and dog walkers. Bear Creek Park hosts several events including the Fall Series, The BRC Down and Dirty Trail Series, and the Sand Creek Mountain Bike Series.

• Garden of the Gods

  Unparalleled beauty as well as some very challenging hills make Garden of the Gods the perfect place to hold a 10 mile run. The Garden of the Gods is host to the Triple Crown's Garden 10 miler and is the location of many training runs. The Garden has paved roads with wide bike lanes and some great trails.

• Red Rock Canyon Open Space

  Red Rock Canyon does not host any events but is a very popular place to run hike and mountain bike. Located on the West side of town right off Highway 24, Red Rock Canyon is very accessible from I-25, Highway 24 and downtown Colorado Springs.

• Cheyenne Canyon

  Cheyenne Canyon is another great local city park that has some great trails and challenging terrain. It is very popular with runners, cyclists, hikers and rock climbers.

• Section 16 and the Paul Inteman Trail

  Section 16 and the Paul Inteman Trail are very popular with runners, hikers and cyclists. You can access these trails from the Section 16 Trail head, Manitou and Red Rock Canyon. If you're looking for steep, Section 16 is a great place to find it.

• Memorial Park

  Memorial Park is located in downtown Colorado Springs and is the host to several running events

• America the Beautiful Park and the Santa Fe Trail

  America the Beautiful park is the finish line for the American Discovery Trail Marathon. You can also gain access to the Santa Fe Trail North and South from this park.

• Waldo Canyon

  Waldo Canyon, located just off Highway 24 heading West is very popular with hikers and trail runners. It is a very challenging and rewarding loop that offers some great views of Pikes Peak.

• Barr Trail

  Barr Trail is our local trail to the top of our local 14er aka Pikes Peak. This trail is the host to the Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon and the Barr Trail Mountain Race. It is very popular with trail runners training for the above races as well as people coming down from hiking the incline.

• The Incline

  The Incline is very popular with runners, hikers and anyone looking for a lung busting workout. Currently, the Incline is still illegal to hike but that doesn't stop the thousands of hikers that visit every year.

• Cheyenne Mountain State Park

  Cheyenne Mountain State Park is the newest addition to the local trail network in Colorado Springs and is host to the Xterra Marathon of Trail Races. Cheyenne Mountain State Park is very popular with runners, hikers and mountain bikers and has a well marked trail network.