Directions to Trailhead: From the C-470 and S. Wadsworth intersection in southwest Denver. Take Wadsworth south for several miles until you see a turnoff for Waterton Canyon on your left (This is the point where Wadsworth starts heading west). Drive south for several hundred yards. You'll see a parking lot on your left, and a small recreation center on your right. Park in the parking lot.
About This Trail: Waterton Canyon has a well maintained service road that parallels the South Platte for over 6 miles. This is certainly the place to go for a relaxed family bike ride on the weekends. This road is closed to traffic, and has plenty of elbow room. Since the road follows the river, you see many people riding up the canyon with fishing poles. (Although we list the trail with ratings, if you want a slightly longer ride you can easily reach singletrack with blue and black ratings.)
Trail Description: One of the hardest parts of the trail was finding the trailhead from the parking lot! From the parking lot on the east side of paved road: Ride out of the lot, and cross the pavement. You'll see a trail on the west side of the road. Keep following this as it turns into a well maintained dirt road. For an easy ride, follow this road as far as you like up the mountain. It ends shortly after the Strontia Springs Dam (the thing is huge -you can't miss it!) If you turn back now you'll have a 12 mile ride. For a tougher ride, continue up Waterton Canyon to the Colorado Trail.
