Red Rock Canyon Open Space — Attraction in Colorado Springs

Is a wonderful place to bike hike walk your dog and just get away. They are closing a few Trails so they cut a part of the park off forcing you to go on the main trail and you have to be careful of the hardcore bicyclist who comes flying around the corners. And I'm talking about the south side of the park when you park in the far East lot. But they open the new parking lot on the west side of the park when you first enter off of Highway 24 which is made parking better. But doesn't all parts you must hide your valuables because numerous break-ins at this park as well as many others. Have a dog park at the top of the hill when you come into the main parking lot and and you can enter it from the Eastside Trail or Westside Trail. The park also has some very interesting features such as a rock quarry that you can hike up the hill into and it's really cool. The rock formations amazing and there's a little like cave so you can go into and people have written on the walls are carbs in beans into the Rock which fortunately it's only in this one spot but two thousand years from now civilizations will study the carvings that like we did of the cavemen. The Little Pond that has Ducks and Canadian geese. There a porta potties in the far left lat and in the main lot I'm not sure about the new lot so if you have to use the restroom do it before you go into the park. I know it's a park but in today's world get caught peeing in public and not a good thing in today's world. And it has like a bike park where you can ride your bike over obstacles and it has bike trails but you have to be careful because the bicyclist who wants to be treated equally on the road and laws have been passed to give them three feet even though there's a smaller vehicle . I have no problem with prices on the road so when they get on the park the same bicyclist is the biggest vehicle expect you to watch out for him and the bicycle seem to be doing a lot of damage to this park and others parks. And I'm talking about the hardcore 40 + guys wearing spandex who wants to go up the hill as slow as you can it still won't say hello to you when he goes by you to come down the hill add a face that is dangerous to hikers and dog-walkers so be careful of that. It has to be something done because cyclist are having Trails closed down as you can see when they're tearing up the trails. and majority of Hardcore cyclists do not give you the same courtesy on the trail that they except when they ride on the road and I digress but men don't look good in spandex pants especially when you get off your bike and go for a coffee or whatever at least take the spandex pants off and put on a pair of shorts. You may match with all your colors embarrassing the spandex pants on a 40 + man is like a 40 + man wearing a speedo on the beach. Not very flattering but your dreams of becoming a professional cyclist have gone by you leave the spandex to The Young Riders and the women who definitely looks good and don't scream at me left or right and not slow down because I do not want to see you go off the trail dislocated shoulder and of course not be your fault and I'm just sing because you are causing damage with a recklessness at this park and others. And I fully expect to get a phone call or two from someone like this who does not talk to you or say hi on the trail but would definitely want to defend themselves .I challenge them togo hiking with me and see if you get a bicyclist say hello to you when they going slowly by you on the trail 2 feet away in fact they won't even look at you and we'll ignore you not every bicyclist easy he's professional older men 40-plus spandex but it definitely will scream at you left or right right when they come down the hill so you have to be careful . And bring some water with you because it's such a great Park that you'll end up walking further than you expected and you'll need the water. Finally especially if it's your first time at the park or your not from Colorado bring a camera. Spectacular views Pikes Peak Garden of the gods and...

I have never been to Red Rock Canyon Open Space

I have never set out late at night from the eastern portal, and marveled at the way the moon cascaded down the pale sandstone like silver blood as I carried a great and ponderous load.

I have never looked out from the gaps in the juniper and marveled at the vastness of the stars and wondered what benevolent God would have created a universe of such sublime beauty and yet allowed me to exist within it.

I have never traversed the miles of verdant, well-maintained trails, where the sandstone escarpments give way to ponderosa forest, air redolent with pine and dusty earth, looking for one lonely, perfect place.

I have never dug a conspicuous hole on a ridge overlooking the skyline of Colorado Springs, where the only signs of life are the few dozen semis moving back and forth on the faceless Interstate below. I wipe my brow and the sound of wind fills in the gaps between my heavy breathing. The winter is moving out with every breath from the mountains, and the new buds of spring are already forming at the ends of the pine boughs, the fresh needles soft as down.

I have never laid something silent and heavy to rest in the near-dawn, when the first hint of morning forms like heated iron in the east. The birds begin to stir and they sing their waking song while the dirt rustles around the edges of a plastic tarp being buried.

I have never left such a place just as the sun leaves the horizon, waving to the morning joggers who weave about the molten spires of sandstone and wishing me a good morning. I smile in return and breathe in the fresh, crisp air. Dew hangs on the bushes and their leaves are like sparkling gems of jade reaching out to me. I drag my hand through one and the moisture carries away the last of the blood.

I have never made it back to my car tired and satisfied. I sigh as I collapse into the front seat and smile at the heaviness in my eyes and limbs. What an adventure, and so conveniently close to home! I wonder if mountain shadows has reopened yet, I’m famished!

These are all things I might think, see, and feel. But I have never been to Red...

This is a great park for hiking, and my wife and I come here often to hit the trails. From either of the parking lots, the main trail goes uphill and splits off into smaller trails. If you hike up far enough, one of the trails connects to the Section 16 trail, from which you can hike uphill to do the full circuit, or downhill to connect to the Bear Creek trails. Within Red Rock, you can do easy to medium difficulty hikes with distances of 2-4 miles. Recent improvements/rehabs to the main uphill trail are already yielding positive results.

PROS: Convenient location to most of the Springs area. Nice trails for an easy-medium challenge. Beautiful views of Garden of the Gods and several scenic hills and mountains. The arid landscape has some pretty flora and fauna, especially in early summer. Additionally, great vertical rock climbing opportunities for those with the right experience, equipment, and permits.

CONS: Highway 24 can be very, very busy during the height of "Texas tourist season," as this road that leads to the park is also the only way across the front range mountains for miles in any direction. Parking lots can be full on weekends, and trails are sometimes crowded in the lower portions. Not a lot of tree cover, so be sure to bring a hat.

Overall, this is one of my favorite hiking parks for challenge and...