Ute Valley Park in Colorado Springs, CO, is a scenic, nature-rich, park that offers plenty of hiking opportunities. The park has trails for all levels of hikers. While it is a popular destination for climbing and trail running, it also offers scenic views of Pikes Peak, the surrounding mountains, and the valley.
There are several parking areas at Ute Valley Park. First, there is the main lot off Vindicator Drive. From here, the park's loop trail can be accessed. This 3.4-mile loop provides a scenic route that is easy to hike. Another option is a shorter 2.5-mile loop.
The park's arch is a very large, sandstone formation that is huge enough to stand underneath. It is one of the most popular photo spots in the park.
In addition to the arch, the park is also home to a number of other interesting features. Many of the trails wind through a sandstone canyon, which is lined with scrub oak trees. You can also take a walk along a natural wetland. As you walk through the park, you will see many colorful birds and mule deer.
The park is a popular spot for outdoor activities, such as mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, and bouldering. Although there are numerous trails throughout the park, some trails are not well marked. Bringing a map and an MTB Project app can help you navigate the park.
Ute Valley is an open space park in northern Colorado Springs. It breaks the urban sprawl on the north side of town. A master plan was completed in 1991, and additional parcels have been added through the Parkland Dedication Ordinance.
Ute Valley Park has over 20 trails to choose from. Most of these trails are for hiking. These trails are easily accessed and are suitable for both beginners and advanced hikers. If you are a beginner, you may want to start by walking the shorter trail from the parking lot.
One of the most popular trails is the Eastern Loop Trail. RMFI worked with the park's management to construct this trail, and it is now open to the public.
In the western portion of the park, there is a hogback ridge. This high, narrow shelf of stone adds a level of interest to the trails. After completing this section of the trail, you can descend from the other end of the ridge. On the other side of the ridge, you will find a cave and a natural arch.
To complete the loop, you can either walk back to the parking lot or take a shortcut through the tech center drive parking lot. The black side of the loop has steep grades and sharp rocks, while the blue side is more slow and includes a cave.
Ute Valley Park is located at 1705 Vindicator Dr. and is open from 5am to 11pm from May to October. It is free to enter and has a parking lot of about 20 cars.