Find Your Trail
Share the Trails
Colorado Springs park trails are shared-use trails, meaning you may encounter bicyclists, hikers and runners, equestrians, and trail users with dogs as you venture along our great trail system. Please be considerate of others and follow guidelines so that everyone can have a safe and enjoyable time.
- Communicate in advance: Make your presence known to other trail users, particularly when approaching from behind. Horses and slower moving individuals may be startled by dogs, bikes, and faster moving trail users.
- Protect park resources: Venturing off trails damages vegetation, leads to erosion and impacts wildlife and their habitats.
- Don’t block the trail: Allow room for other users to pass safely. You may need to form a single file line or in some areas step off to the side of the trail.
- Stay alert: Always be on the lookout for other trail users, emergency vehicles, or wildlife. Wear only one earbud while listening to music for both personal safety and awareness.
- Follow the Leave No trace Seven Principles Colorado Springs 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.
Trail Maintenance Request
Have a trail maintenance request? Let our Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services staff know by using the GoCOS! app on your mobile device or by using this online form.
Bicyclists
- Control your speed. Slow down and use caution when approaching other trail users and blind turns. Obey the 20-mph speed limit.
- Always yield to all other trail users.
- Communicate your presence when approaching, talk calmly to equestrians, and slow down when passing. Yield to uphill bicyclists.
- Avoid startling horses, dogs, hikers and joggers. Always slow down when approaching other trail users to allow for safe positioning when passing.
- Communicate, stop and wait. When passing on narrow trails, move to the side of the trail and wait for equestrians, uphill bicyclists and hikers to pass safely.
- Ride only on trails designated for bicycle use. Going off-trail, racing or reckless riding is prohibited.
Hikers and runners
- Always yield to equestrians. If you are running, slow down or stop. Horses can get spooked when a runner approaches too fast.
- Be alert. Always be aware of approaching bikes or horses and pass carefully.
- Don’t block the trail. Groups should always allow space on one side of the trail for others to pass. When taking a rest, step off to the side of the trail.
- Keep at least one ear open. For safety and for communicating with others, wear only one ear bud when listening to devices.
Equestrians
- Inform other users of the safest way to pass. Not all trail users are familiar with horse behavior. Some dogs and people can be frightened; communicate your needs clearly.
- Be responsible. Maintain control of your horse at all times. If your horse is high-spirited, please alert other trail users.
- Desensitize your horse. Before riding on multi-use trails, be sure to train your horse properly to get them accustomed to other trail users.
- Ride only on trails designated for equestrian use. Going off-trail is prohibited.
Trail users with dogs
- Dogs must be on a leash. Ideally, you would have your dog heel and sit while other trail users pass.
- Pick up dog waste, take it with you, and discard it in a designated trash receptacle.
- Maintain control of your dog. Many horses and other trail users are frightened of dogs; communicate with others and train your dog to behave around horses, bikes and hikers.