Trails

Castlewood Canyon State Park offers 12 miles of trails available for daily sightseeing, hiking, photography, and nature study. Trail lengths range from 0.5 to 4 miles; view the Castlewood Canyon park map to see how to combine trails for longer hikes. Leashed pets are welcome on all trails, except the East Canyon Preservation trail.

(Updated: 5/30/2025 2:00 PM MT)

East Park Entrance

Avid hikers or leisurely walkers can enjoy multiple miles of trails by combining these easy to moderate hikes:

Canyon View Nature Trail

• Overall: 1.2 miles, easy
• Permitted uses: Foot only
• Miles paved: 1.2
• Miles non-paved: 0
• Total distance: 1.2
• Usage: High
• Degree of difficulty: Easy
• Elevation: 6400
• ADA accessible: Yes
• Comments: Excellent views of the canyon
• Pets: Yes-on a leash

Inner Canyon and Lake Gulch Trail

• Overall: Inner Canyon/Lake Gulch Loop, 2 miles, moderate
• Lake Gulch trail: 0.80 miles, moderate
• Inner Canyon trail: 1.16 miles, moderate
• Permitted uses: Foot only
• Miles paved: 0
• Miles non-paved: 1.96
• Total distance: 1.96
• Usage: High
• Degree of difficulty: Easy to Moderate
• Elevation: 6400
• ADA accessible: No
• Comments: Takes visitors into the canyon by the creek and back out for nice views
• Pets: Yes-on a leash

The Dam Trail

• Overall: 0.35 mile, moderate
• Permitted uses: Foot only
• Miles paved: 0
• Miles non-paved: 0.35
• Total distance: 0.35
• Usage: Medium
• Degree of difficulty: Moderate
• Elevation: 6400
• ADA accessible: No
• Comments: Takes visitors around the Castlewood Dam ruins.
• Pets: Yes-on a leash

Rimrock Trail

• Overall: 2.14 miles, moderate to difficult
• Permitted uses: Foot only
• Miles paved: 0
• Miles non-paved: 2.14
• Total distance: 2.14
• Usage: Medium
• Degree of difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
• Elevation: 6600
• ADA accessible: No
• Comments: Excellent views
• Pets: Yes-on a leash

East Canyon Preservation Trail

• Overall: 4 miles, moderate
• Permitted uses: Foot only
• Miles paved: 0
• Miles non-paved: 4
• Total Distance: 4
• Elevation: 6600
• Usage: Light
• Degree of difficulty: Moderate
• ADA accessible: No
• Comments: In order to protect the delicate nature of this area visitors are required to remain on the trail at all times. Climbing is prohibited. Regulations strictly enforced.
• Pets: No, the East Canyon is home to several species of rare flora and fauna that can be easily disturbed by pets.

West Side Entrance

Hikers and rock climbers find challenges here.

Homestead Trail

• Overall: 0.35 mile, easy
• Permitted uses: Foot only
• Miles paved: 0
• Miles non-paved: 0.35
• Total distance: 0.35
• Usage: High
• Degree of difficulty: Easy
• Elevation: 6300
• ADA accessible: No
• Comments: Takes visitors through the historic Lucas homestead and ranch.
• Pets: Yes-on a leash

Climbers Trail

• Overall: 0.14 mile, difficult

Cliff Base Trail

• Overall: 0.18 mile, difficult

Cave Trail

• Overall: 0.14 mile, difficult

Climber’s/Cave/Cliff Base Loop

• Permitted uses: Foot only
• Miles paved: 0.46
• Miles non-paved: 0
• Total distance: 0.46
• Usage: Medium
• Degree of difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
• Elevation: 6300
• ADA accessible: No
• Comments: Good climbing access
• Pets: Yes- on a leash

Creek Bottom Trail

• Overall: 1.7 miles, moderate
• Permitted uses: Foot only
• Miles paved: 0
• Miles non-paved: 1.7
• Total distance: 1.7
• Usage: Medium
• Degree of difficulty: Easy to Moderate
• Elevation: 6200
• ADA accessible: No
• Comments: Takes visitors along Cherry Creek and past a waterfall.
• Pets: Yes- on a leash

Cherry Creek Trail (concrete)

• Overall: 0.24 mile, easy

Cherry Creek Trail (natural)

• Overall: 1.0 mile, moderate