Trail construction and improvement project in Blodgett Open Space currently underway. Trail users are asked to use caution around work areas. See below for more details.
Blodgett Open Space is 384 acres of open space, trails, and wildlife habitat neighboring the Pike National Forest. The original Blodgett Open Space land was purchased through the City of Colorado Springs with funding from the Trails, Open Space and Parks (TOPS) program in March 2001. A second acquisition to the southeast was incorporated in 2018, bringing in a second parking lot and trail access location. Most recently in 2021, additional land was acquired to extend the land further south, with boundaries along the Pikeview Quarry and Allegheny Road.
A master and management plan to enhance and protect Blodgett Open Space was approved by City Council in 2024. Using community input collected through an extensive community engagement process, the final master and management plan strikes a balance between the need to protect and maintain the Open Space’s ecologic and natural resource integrity with the need to serve the ever-expanding base of current and future users.
The improvement project and trail construction is now underway. The planned improvements include the establishment of designated hiking and biking trails, as well as multi-use trails. Additionally, illegal (social) trails will be decommissioned, allowing for open space restoration. A new 50-stall parking lot will also be constructed at the Quarry Trailhead, enhancing accessibility for all visitors to Blodgett Open Space.
Trail users will see flags marking trail alignments as well as flags for mitigation work through the Colorado Springs Fire Department as a part of the enhancements to implement key goals from the Master and Management Plan. This work will also require construction equipment to move through the open space, and potential temporary, isolated closures to ensure safety of the public and trail crews. Work is expected to be complete by summer 2026.
Learn more about the plan by visiting ColoradoSprings.gov/BlodgettMasterPlan.
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.
Located in the foothills of the Front Range, the property has outstanding views of Colorado Springs to the east and Blodgett Peak to the northwest. The property is bordered on three sides by the Pike National Forest, which provides an excellent natural buffer and habitat continuity for wildlife.
Once part of Blodgett Ranch, Blodgett Open Space hosts a diversity of vegetation communities and animal species including foothills shrubland, ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, scrub oak, black bear, mule deer, big horn sheep, and the once endangered peregrine falcon. Geological features hosted here include Manitou Limestone, Fountain Formation and Pierre Shale with the Rampart Range fault separating the sedimentary bedrock from the granite.
Blodgett Open Space is an access point to the Pike National Forest, via the Hummingbird Trail, from the north parking lot trailhead. There are no designated trails beyond the end of Hummingbird Trail, to include Blodgett Peak which is part of the Pike National Forest. Route finding to the summit of Blodgett Peak can be difficult and treacherous. Serious injuries and fatalities have occurred. The exercise of extreme caution is recommended when considering and/or hiking Blodgett Peak. To learn more, check the USFS & Blodgett Peak Information tab on this site.
Directions to Blodgett Open Space
Take I-25 north to the Garden of the Gods exit. Head west, turning right on Centennial Boulevard. Head north on Centennial, passing Vindicator Road, wind uphill where Centennial Boulevard will transition into Woodmen Road.
For the south parking lot, turn right onto Blodgett Ranch Trail and take an immediate left to follow the earthen drive to the lot.
For the north trailhead parking lot, continue on Woodmen Road for another half mile where the lot will be on the left-hand side of the road.
Preservation and development
The preservation trail development of the Blodgett Open Space was made possible through partnership and widespread community support:
- The people of Colorado Springs
- City of Colorado Springs TOPS Program
- Great Outdoors Colorado
- Private Donations
- Trails & Open Space Coalition
Hours & Rules
Park users are responsible for knowing all park rules and regulations.
Seasonal Park Hours
- November 1 to April 30: 5 am - 9 pm.
- May 1 to October 31: 5 am - 10 pm
Park Rules
- Dogs must remain on a 6ft leash at all times.
- Pet waste must be properly removed and disposed of by the pet owner.
- Visitors and their pets are required to stay on designated trails.
- Motorized vehicles are prohibited.
- Parking allowed in designated areas only. Overnight camping and parking are prohibited.
- Littering, dumping, tree cutting, campfires, and creation of undesignated trails is prohibited.
- Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in City Parks by Ordinance No. 9-9--410
- It is unlawful for any person to injure, deface, destroy, sever or remove any park property.
- The smoking of any cigarette, pipe, cigar or electronic smoking device is prohibited on park property unless a designated area is provided. No. 6-6-202
- It is unlawful for any unauthorized person to attach any rope, wire or other contrivance to any tree or plant in any park.
Leave No Trace
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. For more information visit lnt.org
| Plan ahead and prepare. Blodgett Open Space has North and South facing slopes which affect seasonal hiking conditions. Check conditions, be prepared for quick weather changes, and snap a picture of the map before you go! |
| Travel on durable surfaces. Following designated trails allows staff to monitor the burn scar’s recovery, encourages plant growth to prevent erosion, helps maintain current drainages, and reestablishes a healthy habitat for wildlife. |
| Dispose of waste properly. Trashcans are available at the trailheads for your convenience. The health of this recovering habitat and watershed depend on being litter free. Please pick up after your pet, and yourself, to keep Blodgett pristine! |
| Leave what you find. Picking flowers removes important nutrient sources for pollinators like bees, butterflies, and bats. Take a “pic,” don’t pick! This preserves energy rich nectar and next year’s seeds for these vital ecosystem members! |
| Be careful with fire. Blodgett Open Space was decimated by the Waldo Canyon Fire in June, 2012. 345 homes, 18,247 acres including Blodgett were scorched. Forest fires are necessary and healthy; wildfires are devastating. |
| Respect wildlife. Wildlife is returning and reestablishing their homes in the area. Remember the “Rule of Thumb” around wild animals and keep dogs on a leash. Together we can promote a healthy and safe ecosystem! |
| Be considerate of others. Trail yielding etiquette is essential for safety while recreating; all yield to horses, cyclists yield to all. Everyone you see here desires to enjoy the outdoors. Let’s encourage a respectful community of users! |
© 1999 by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.
Master Plan(s)
USFS & Blodgett Peak Info
In effect until March 29, 2024
USFS PCICC Order #02-12-09-23-04 prohibits the following within the Waldo Canyon Burn Area:
- Being upon the Described Trail. 36 C.F.R. § 261.55(a)
- Camping in the Described Area. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(e)
- Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire in the Described Area. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(a)
- Using any type of motor vehicle on the Described Roads. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(a)
EXEMPTIONS
Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:
- Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order, specifically exempting them from this Order or a written determination by a Forest Service authorized officer that a permit is not required under 36 C.F.R. § 251.50(e)(1) or (2).
- Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.
- All US Forest Service Orders in the Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands region
Blodgett Open Space is an access point to the Pike National Forest via Hummingbird Trail. Begin at the North Blodgett Loop Trailhead, follow it west 0.75 miles, turning left onto Hummingbird Trail and staying right to continue on. There are no designated trails beyond the terminus of Hummingbird Trail, to include Blodgett Peak which is part of the Pike National Forest. Route finding to the summit of Blodgett Peak can be difficult and treacherous. Serious injuries and fatalities have occurred. The exercise of extreme caution is recommended when considering and/or hiking Blodgett Peak.
For more information on recreation in the Pike National Forest, please visit the Pike-San Isabel National Forest website or contact the Pikes Peak Ranger District office:
Pikes Peak Ranger District
601 South Weber
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Ph: 719-636-1602
Fax: 719-477-4233
Friends Group
Friends of Peregrine Parks & Open Spaces
The Friends group normally schedules Open Space workdays on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays, 8:00 to 11:00 AM, of each month from approximately May through September, and we are always looking for new volunteers. Adults of all ages are welcome, as well as children over 12 if they are accompanied by an adult. We put out notices of work days and activities on the Nextdoor-Peregrine website, and via e-mail if you are a member of the Friends. If you are interested in joining and helping, as well as getting worthwhile exercise in our beautiful outdoors, please contact:
Gary Moring, gcmfamily@q.com or 719-505-6807.