[Road Ride] South Platte River Trail

Whether it is too cold and windy for a mountain ride, you are looking for a flat ride around Denver, or you want to explore the city trails, the South Platte River Trail is a great option! The South Platte River Trail connects with the Colorado Front Range Trail north of downtown and C-470 Trail to the south; meaning you can make the most (or the least) out of this trail! We rode from our home in Arvada and connected with the trail at its trailhead, Confluence Park, in downtown Denver. It is busy during the first stretch as you make your way through downtown but soon you leave the hustle and bustle for the industrial park for Denver and eventually to the suburbs of Denver. We stopped at the rest area with Nixon’s Coffee House at mile 20 of our day. Another few miles down you end at the Chatfield Reservoir – next to the Chatfield State Park.

Good to Know

Distance: 40 miles out and back – but you can make it what you want!

Elevation Gain: ~886ft

Terrain: Paved trail throughout. All Denver area trails are cement squares and this trail is in great condition!

Parking: If possible, ride to the start! If not, parking near the REI is a good option. Otherwise, there are several parking options throughout the trail, depending on your starting point!

Facilities: Available at Echo Lake Lodge + Gift Shop

Fun Facts: There are several 90 degree turns switching sides of the river – keep your eye out for these! The trail can be confusing at points – sometimes there is a trail on both sides of the rivers and sometimes a single side – just make sure you know where you want to go! 

Strava Link

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