Length of stay: 1 day
Visited: May 2024
Denver is reputed to be one of the best places in the United States to explore the great outdoors. It’s located at the base of the Rocky Mountains and has an abundance of parks and hiking trails to enjoy the scenery. Just a short drive southwest of the city is Roxborough State Park. It contains several trails that range in length and difficulty and features some pretty impressive rock formations.
We left Estes Park in the morning. After stopping for a short hike around Lily Lake, we arrived at Roxborough in the mid-afternoon. It was overcast and the forecast was calling for rain later in the day.
Shortly after entering the park there’s a self-service kiosk where we could purchase a day pass. We then headed to the main parking lot by the visitor centre. This marked the start for the Fountain Valley Trail (4.2km loop, rated easy). The trail weaves through the valley floor and passes by the Fountain and Lyons rock formations.
The path is wide, mostly gravel and is relatively flat. There were a few muddy sections, but they were easy enough to avoid. After the first couple hundred metres we came across the first detour to the Fountain Valley Overlook. Spring was off to a slower start here compared to Denver. The trees were just starting to bud, but we could already see some early wildflowers.
The trail weaves through the valley, passing through prairie grasslands and meadows, and providing more views of the dramatic slabs of red rocks that jut out from the ground at a 60-degree angle.
The next notable point of interest along the trail is Persse Place. Henry Persse once owned this land. It was initially called Washington Park, but he renamed it to Roxborough Park after his family’s estate in Ireland. He had plans to develop a resort here, which included a hotel, cottages and golf course, but he died before he could make it happen. He did manage to build a stone house, a few barn structures and several cottages though. The land was later turned into a state park.
There is one last detour to the Lyon’s Overlook. The path narrows and is mostly all uphill. It leads to a rocky outcrop that provides sweeping views of the colourful dramatic rocks and trail below.
From there it’s a short stretch back to the visitor centre. We hopped in the car and headed to our hotel in Castle Rock.
L
This place is Earth’s interior design of beauty made by heaven 🌷🙏👍🏻😯incredible rocks, rare to view and
Beautiful sorroundings , beautiful field of flowers , very inspiring roads with flora and fauna , design of nature
stones specially they make the steps all an indescribable beauty grace view 👌😍thank you so much for
Sharing and stay Blessed with family my dear friend 🌷🙏💞🌷
The rock formations were so fascinating. Even though the skies were grey and gloomy, it was a beautiful spot to go for a hike and just enjoy nature. Thanks so much for reading and for your kind words. Have a wonderful weekend.
The rock forms are very beautiful, they seem to be pushed upward due to plate tectonics. 😊
Oh I know! I’ve never seen rocks jut out from that angle before. It’s pretty cool.
This is definitely a destination I’d love to visit. The photos are absolutely stunning. Thank you for sharing this amazing journey with us!
Thanks for your kind words. There’s so many great parks and hiking trails around Denver. We only explored a few of them, but this was one of our favourites.
It looks Absolutely Wonderful
That it was. It’s always nice to spend time in nature.
You packed a lot into this trip. Another great stop.
It’s always nice to break up the drive on a road trip and find somewhere to stop to stretch our legs. Visiting a state park seems to do the trick. We had a wonderful time enjoying the scenery and rock formations.
Such a lovely tour! And you picked up on a common quibble those of us who live in the greater Denver area have each year… specifically, when is spring going to officially get here??? We get tempted with little buds on trees, a little bit of sun, and then the temperature drops again and it’s grey. But it’s still one of the best places to live in the USA, with all of the outdoor activities.
I think everyone just gets sick of winter at some point and is eager for spring and warmer weather! We drove back to Denver the day after and were surprised at how much greener the trees were in the city. But I guess Roxborough sits at a higher elevation which probably explains the slower start to spring there. I can see why Denver is so popular. It’s amazing how many parks and trails there are that are reasonably close to the city. And then there are the mountains. So beautiful.
It looks like you had the park all to yourselves, Linda. What a beautifully rugged place to walk along, just admiring the stunning landscapes. Great pictures.
That’s the main advantage to travelling during the shoulder season. The trails aren’t too busy. It also helped that we visited during a weekday. It’s kind of neat how the landscape and rock formations are so different at each of the parks.
What pretty rock formations! Looks like a great hike!
It’s pretty cool how the rocks are angled. It’s a lovely trail that’s nice and wide that doesn’t require much effort to enjoy the beautiful views.
Great tour!
Thanks so much for your lovely comment. This was a lovely trail to go for a stroll and enjoy the scenery and ragged rock formations.
A pleasure indeed! 💐💐💐
I hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!
The weekend always goes by way too quickly. We’re enjoying all things fall and seeing the leaves changing colour. Hope you had a nice weekend as well.
🙏🙏🙏
Roxborough State Park. looks like a place I would very much enjoy as it is a beautifully stunning place to discover red rock formations. Thanks for sharing, and have a hood day 🙂 I hope you had a wonderful summer 🙂 Aiva xx
It’s a very family friendly state park with a nice mix of hiking trails from short and sweet to something a bit more strenuous. The rock formations here are so different compared to everything else we saw during our road trip through Colorado and New Mexico. Thanks for reading. I can’t believe the summer is now officially over. Where did the time go!? Hope all is well. Enjoy the rest of the weekend. Linda
The rock formations in your last couple photos seem so ‘random’ compared to your top photos where they jut out in a line. Earth geology is certainly interesting.
Oh I know! Geology rocks! We were almost going to skip that last overlook as the path was quite muddy, but I’m glad we kept going as the views of the rock formations were quite different compared to the rest of the trail.
Isn’t it amazing the beauty one can find in little known state parks? The rock formations are truly spectacular.
Oh absolutely. There are so many state parks close to Denver that it would have been a shame not to visit at least one of them. The rock formations at Roxborough are so cool how they are tilted.
This looks like such a beautiful and historical hiking area. The prairie and red rocks in the landscape are lovely!
It’s interesting to learn how parks like this were created. I’d say it’s a much better use of space than a resort or some other development. The landscape here is so neat.
What an interesting, quaint, and lovely park. Beautiful wildflowers, rock formations, and views!
I’m glad we visited on a weekday so we could take advantage of the quieter trails. The scenery looked beautiful, especially those tilted rock formations.
Another great post! The name had me fooled. I was thinking of something across the pond.
Thanks for your kind words. It’s kind of funny how many places in North America are named after places in Europe. I guess we’re not very creative!!
Wow! So beautiful place, the road is lovely and those houses.
Looks like a very relaxing time, thank’s for share Linda.
Have a wonderful day!
Even though the skies were grey and gloomy, we had a wonderful time walking through the valley and enjoying the scenery. Spring was just getting started and it was nice to already see some wildflowers. Thanks for reading. Hope you enjoyed your weekend. Linda
What an interesting landscape and perhaps not a very hospitable place to live for the settlers. What was the temperature like during your visit? Thanks for sharing Linda. Happy Friday. Allan
Even though we visited a lot of parks on our road trip, it’s neat how the landscape is a bit different in each one. The tilted rock formations at Roxborough were pretty cool. The temperature was actually quite pleasant, it was in the mid-teens, which was much warmer compared to Rocky Mountain National Park. Thanks for reading. Hope you had a wonderful weekend. Linda
Another great walk. I love the shape of the rocks and their colours.
It was nice to get the legs moving after spending the morning in the car. That trail is relatively flat and easy, which meant we could focus more on the surrounding scenery.
Looks like a neat place to visit! The rock formations are stunning and I can picture how magical it all looks when it’s in full bloom.
There’s a good mix of hiking trails at this state park that range in length and difficulty. After spending the past few days in the mountains, it was nice to give the knees a break and opt for something flat and easy while still enjoying the views. The tilted rock formations were so fascinating.
Beautiful state park! I love the mix of rock formations and wildflowers 🙂
Oh I know! It was a feast for the eyes. No wonder Colorado is so popular for hiking.
Gorgeous greens! This photo could be/should be a card. 👍🏻
“last detour to the Lyon’s Overlook. The path narrows and is mostly all uphill.”
The rock formations were picture perfect. This trail was definitely saving the best views for last.
Love it! I look forward to lots of beautiful nature time when I visit my daughter soon. 💕
How fun! Enjoy your time in nature and with your daughter!
Thank you! I am very excited!!
I love this area! Great place to hike and it has never been crowded when I’ve been here. Great photos and information!! Lori
Thanks for your kind words. I can easily see why Denver is so popular for hiking, especially given how many state parks are nearby. It was nice to check a few of them out, including Roxborough. The rock formations were so cool. It wasn’t very busy when we went either, but that could have been because we were visiting on a weekday.
I’ve been here many times, but never this time of year. It looks different with that light green of new leaves!
I bet the scenery looks beautiful in every season. The rock formations are definitely the star of the show though. I can see why you’ve been here so many times. I’m glad we visited on a weekday as I imagine this place would be super popular on the weekend. But then again, I imagine most parks are super popular given how early you wake up to find parking!
Looks amazing. We couldn’t go in because they don’t allow dogs. It was disappointing and we settled for the rock at Castle Rock.
Bummer! The great thing about Denver is that there’s so many state parks nearby, so it’s good that you had an alternative. We ended up going to Castlewood Canyon the next day.
The slabs of red rocks look amazing. They make me wonder of how they were created, and what made them rise from the ground at that angle. The structures Henry Persse managed to build actually add a nice touch to the natural landscape. I can imagine it must have been cozy to be in one when the wind is particularly strong.
The tilted rock formations are fascinating. They were formed from the eroded sands of the Rocky Mountains which have been uplifted to a 60 degree angle and eroded by the weather. It’s always neat to learn more about the history of a park and how it was created. It’s too bad the buildings were closed, but they’re a great way to help preserve the past.
I’m all about easier walks in beautiful settings like this. Thanks for sharing your descriptions and lovely photos. It now becomes a must see for me.
Thanks for your kind words. A flat trail with very little elevation gain was a nice change of pace from all that hiking we did in Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s always good to give the knees a break.
Roxborough State Park looks very impressive Linda. I’d like to
……visit Colorado sometime.
I hope you’re able to make it there someday. Colorado is quite beautiful and it’s amazing how varied the landscape is. There’s no shortage of beautiful scenery and trails to explore.
Those rock formations look amazing. Love the colour and jagged and sharp textures! Never ever thought about visiting Denver but will do so now hopefully one day!
That old home also feels like a moment in time too, complete with the old windows curtains.
We saw a lot of rock formations on this road trip, but I love how the landscape is a bit different at each park. I was actually surprised at just how huge Denver is. That being said, it’s amazing that there’s so many parks and green spaces so close to the city. The GTA can learn some lessons.
Agreed, the old stone house was definitely from a different time. We don’t make them like that anymore. But I do appreciate all the modern day amenities like air conditioning and central heating that we now have!
I was thinking that Toronto has a wonderful ravine system that can better maximized onto well used outdoor spaces.
I agree, so much potential to do more for the GTA.
For sure. Giving people more opportunities to get outside and get some exercise is always a good thing!
I went to Denver for a work thing once. Sadly, I didn’t get to enjoy aby outdoor time. I think I’d like this park as it combines history with cool rock structures.
It’s too bad that you didn’t get to enjoy any of the outdoor stuff in Denver. I’s a nature lover’s dream with all those parks and green spaces nearby. I’ve always enjoyed parks that add an element of education to the trail, whether it’s about the history of the area or about the flora or fauna. And yes, the rock formations and how they were tilted at such a weird angle were so neat.
The shape of the rocks are extraordinary. They’re stunning and very photogenic.
Oh I know! It’s so interesting how the rocks are tilted like that. They made for an extremely scenic hike.
Fabulous scenery and formations, the beauty of which were really brought out through that moody sky. Love the history too around Henry Persse, another solid post.
Thanks for your kind words. It was grey and gloomy outside, but hey, at least it wasn’t raining! It also wasn’t very busy, which always makes for a more pleasant hiking experience.
You found another terrific set of rock formations here, they would keep me fascinated for ages!
You’d think that after a couple of weeks of looking at rock formations, we’d get bored of them. But I love how the landscape is a bit different at each park. Fascinating indeed.
One of the reasons I enjoy Colorado is that there are so many opportunities to get outdoors. Whether it’s a dog park down the street or a hiking trail just outside the city, fresh air is calling. Did you make it down to Garden of the Gods? It’s at Colorado Springs but so worth the drive and one of my favorite places to visit out there.
Oh absolutely! No wonder Colorado is so popular for its outdoor activities. It’s amazing that there are so many parks and green spaces, even close to a major city like Denver. Garden of the Gods was actually the first park that we visited on our road trip after leaving Denver. Agreed, it was so worth the drive. We were passing through Colorado Springs anyway on our way to Santa Fe, so we couldn’t resist.
I’m glad you got in a stop there. The access to nature always makes me want to live closer.
Totally. That’s one of the main reasons why we moved out of the city during the pandemic, so we could be closer to nature and more green spaces. And also we couldn’t afford to buy in the city. But even if we could, traffic, the noise and the all the hustle and bustle doesn’t seem all that appealing the older I get.
Cities are amazing places to visit but I like my peaceful country life too well to sacrifice it!
I couldn’t agree more. I don’t think I’d ever move back into the city.
A lovely walk which doesn’t sound too strenuous and is beautiful in a simple way. We are currently planning a US roadtrip as we sit here on the sofa and I’m debating where to pick – every state has something to offer and so much natural beauty. The volume of NPs is just staggering (especially when you’re a Brit and you have 2 in your entire country).
The path was pretty easy, which was a nice change of pace after spending the past few days hiking in the mountains. That’s exciting that you’re planning a road trip through the US. And agreed, it can be overwhelming considering how many national parks there are and that there’s so many good options to choose from. Best of luck trip planning. And it sounds like the UK needs more national parks!
Looks like an amazing experience, thanks for share Linda. My weekend
was very relaxing hope yours as well Have a wonderful week! Elvira
Thanks for your kind words and for leaving a comment. This was a pleasant park to take a break and stretch our legs. The scenery was spectacular. My weekend was nice, but busy. It always goes by way too quickly! Enjoy the rest of the day. Linda
It’s always a pleasure visit your blog Linda.
Keep enjoyig and taking care of you.
Have a wonderful week and day.
You are too kind. Hope all is well with you.
Thanks for the informative post. Looks like another worthwhile hike that we would be able to do. We are getting too old to do anything too strenuous. 😏
The Valley Fountain Loop is an easy trail that’s good for all ages and fitness levels. It’s relatively flat and the path is nice and wide. And the views along the way are pretty fantastic.
Nice post 🌹🌹
Thanks so much for your kind words and for leaving a comment. We had a wonderful time exploring this park and enjoying the views.
This is a pleasant hike with such interesting rock formations. I’ve done it a few times years ago when I lived in Denver.
It was a lovely spot to stretch our legs. The rock formations are so fascinating and very picturesque. Glad to hear you’ve hiked this trail too and enjoyed it. Isn’t it amazing how many parks there are that are close to Denver?
Interesting rock formations. I have a sister that lives about 20 miles north from there – guess that’s another excuse to go visit…
You bet! It’s a beautiful park and the Fountain Valley Loop is a great trail for all ages. It’s relatively flat and provides some great views of the rock formations.
We like your pictures of these special rock formations.
Thanks for taking us with you on this trail
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
You are too kind. Thanks so much for your lovely comment. It’s always nice to spend time in nature and to keep the body moving. Cheers. Linda
Thank’s Linda.
Yes it is well, just many things to do.
Happy day!
Glad to hear. C’est la vie.
It seems like a beautiful hiking trail – pure tranquility. And of course, those rock formations are lovely — a bonus on any trail.
You bet! The nice thing about hiking while on holidays is that we can visit some of the parks during the weekday when it’s not too busy. It makes for a much pleasanter experience.
Beautiful post! Enjoyed reading it.
Thanks so much for your kind words. This was a pleasant spot to go for a hike and enjoy the scenery. The nice thing about visiting on a weekday was that the trails were peaceful and quiet.