Rattlesnake Gulch Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Views

There are no parking fees in Deer Creek Canyon Park or in South Valley Park. You can also park along Deer Creek Canyon Road in numerous wide gravel shoulder areas.

This trail starts to the west of the parking lot at Deer Creek Canyon Park at the start of the Meadowlark Trail and ends in South Valley Park at the Grazing Elk Trail. However, this is not a one-way trail; you can start in South Valley Park.

From the Deer Creek Canyon parking lot, travel north and uphill along a wide trail that leads to the picnic areas along the north side of the park at about 6,100 feet. At the top of the hill, veer right onto singletrack and down the north side of the hill on a winding path toward Deer Creek Canyon Road. The singletrack ends at Grizzly Drive.

Turn left and follow the west shoulder of Grizzly Drive to Deer Creek Canyon. Cross Deer Creek Canyon and look for the Rattlesnake Gulch Trail sign on the north side of the road just to the west of Grizzly Drive. Continue on the trail toward Grazing Elk Trail.

There are wildflowers scattered along the trail with mostly scrub brush on the south two-thirds of the trail. You may see deer, especially in Deer Creek Canyon. There are mountain lions, bears, foxes, and coyotes in the area, but they are pretty reclusive. I have never seen any here, personally, but they have appeared on wildlife cameras.