Roxborough State Park
4751 Roxborough Dr, Littleton, CO
Littleton, CO
Fins of brilliant red rock tilted skyward above quiet foothills trails, a hushed natural area at the very edge of Denver's suburbs.
Roxborough State Park is one of the quiet treasures of the Denver area, a place where great fins of red sandstone tilt up out of the green foothills just beyond the city's southwestern edge. Protected as both a state park and a designated natural area, it trades ballfields and playgrounds for stillness, red rock, and wildlife.
The park's dramatic geology, the same brilliant red stone that appears at nearby Red Rocks and Garden of the Gods, rises here in dramatic tilted ridges called hogbacks. Add abundant deer, elk, and birds, a network of gentle trails, and rules that keep it hushed, and Roxborough becomes a restorative escape only a short drive from downtown Denver.
What Guests Love
- Towering red-rock fins tilted up against the green foothills
- Quiet, well-kept trails that stay peaceful even near the city
- Excellent wildlife watching, from deer and elk to soaring hawks
- A designated natural area protected for its beauty and quiet
Worth Knowing
- To protect wildlife, dogs, bikes, and picnicking are not allowed in the park
- It is a day-use park, so plan to visit during open daylight hours
- A state parks pass is needed for the vehicle, available at the entrance
- Trails range from easy loops to longer climbs, so choose to your ability
Details
Littleton, CO
Learn about Roxborough State Park
The tilted red rock
The park's signature red fins are made of the Fountain Formation, ancient sandstone laid down from the erosion of an early range of mountains and later tilted on edge as today's Rockies pushed up. The result is a series of hogbacks, sharp ridges of rock standing at a steep angle to the sky.
The same red stone underlies the region's most famous landmarks, and at Roxborough it forms a quieter, less crowded showcase. In the low light of morning and evening the rock glows a deep, warm red against the greens of the foothills, a striking contrast that draws photographers and hikers alike.
A place kept quiet for wildlife
Roxborough is managed to protect its wildlife and natural quiet, which is why dogs, bicycles, and picnicking are not permitted. That restraint pays off in the animals visitors see: mule deer and elk browse the meadows, black bears and mountain lions move through the area, and rabbits and other small creatures are common along the trails.
The mix of foothills shrubland, meadow, and rock supports a rich bird life, from wild turkeys on the ground to hawks and eagles riding the updrafts above the hogbacks. The park's calm makes it one of the better spots near Denver to simply watch nature at work.
Trails for every pace
A network of trails threads the park, from easy loops that circle beneath the red rock to longer routes climbing into the higher foothills for wider views. The gentler paths are welcoming to families and casual walkers, while the climbs reward those wanting a fuller outing.
Because the park is compact and well signed, it is easy to tailor a visit to your time and energy. A visitor center near the entrance offers exhibits on the geology, plants, and animals, a good first stop before setting out on the trails.
History, seasons, and visiting
This foothills country lies within the traditional homeland of the Ute people, along with the Cheyenne and Arapaho who ranged the nearby plains, and their long connection to this land is part of its story. Later ranching gave way to protection, and the park opened to preserve the landscape rather than develop it.
Roxborough is lovely year-round. Spring and early summer bring green foothills and wildflowers, autumn adds gold to the scrub oak against the red rock, and winter offers crisp, quiet walks with the fins sometimes dusted in snow. As a day-use park, it asks only that visitors come during open hours and carry a parks pass.
Closest Boutels
The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is an independently owned, editorially selected place to stay.
Things to Do Near Littleton
Chatfield State Park
About 10 miles north
A large reservoir park with boating, birding, and trails on the edge of the plains.
Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre
About 20 miles north
The famous red-rock concert venue and hiking park set among the same tilted stone.
Waterton Canyon
About 5 miles east
A gentle canyon trail along the South Platte, known for bighorn sheep.