Austin Bluffs Main Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This trail begins at the boundary of Austin Bluffs Open Space University Park, reached from UCCS lot 580 by the North Campus Heights Trail. It connects to Pine Mesa Grove and University Park Drive.

The trail is used frequently but is not as crowded as other Colorado Springs parks and open spaces, such as Ute Valley or Palmer Park. Dogs and bikers are common on the trails and can appear on the main trail quickly with little warning from one of the side canyons.

This trail is easy and accessible all year for runners, hikers, walkers, or bikers of all experience levels. It is situated in the canyons of Austin Bluffs Open Space and offers a feeling of seclusion from the surrounding city. The area is a web of social trails, and any of them will connect with the main trail. The trail doesn't take any turns is easy to follow. Many of the social trails that branch off from this trail end up in neighborhoods. It traverses through meadows and under pine forests and displays an array of interesting rock formations.

The area is frequented by deer most of the year as it provides shelter in the middle of a congested area. Rattlesnakes are common in the canyons and active in the summer; they are usually higher up on the rocks but may take shelter under trees or rocks near the trail. Other types of snakes that are harmless to people live in the grassy areas. Hawks come out in the afternoons to search the canyon sides for food. The trail runs through scrub oak, pinion pine, and juniper trees.