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Open Space School Group Application

Use this form to request a School Group activity. Submitting this form does not reserve your spot, staff will contact you to confirm the details and complete the application process.

Requirement:

  • All School Group activities require a minimum of 20 days prior to activity date.

Available Properties

Bayou Gulch at Two Bridges Open Space

Bayou Gulch at Two Bridges is a wandering meadow trail that takes visitors along a wheat field. The views of Pikes Peaks and wide-open spaces help to create a peaceful experience. From this trail system, the colorful Colorado sunrises and sunsets can be breathtaking. This trail system connects with the Cherry Creek Trail.

More information can be found here. 

Blackfoot Cave

Blackfoot Cave , above East Cherry Creek, served as a campsite for Indigenous people for thousands of years. It was recorded by early mountain men and travelers along the Cherokee Trail as a place to rest and get spring water from inside the cave. Access is by arrangement only. You can apply for a Special/Guided Event or Educational Opportunity and be guided by an Open Space Naturalist.

Columbine Open Space

Columbine is a family-friendly trail system. The wider trail allows people to hike side-by-side and keep the kiddos in view. Plus, the old red barn and rock springhouse are popular sites for family pictures. The Plum Creek provides vital habitat for the endangered Preble's Jumping Mouse. On June 5, 1999, the County dedicated the property to remember the tragedy at Columbine High School.

More information can be found here. 

Dawson Butte Open Space

Dawson Butte is peaceful and inspiring. The open, flowy, curvy trail follows the natural contours of the land and takes people on adventures through forested areas and meadows. This trail is popular year-round because it has a mix of shade and sun.

More information can be found here.

Dupont Open Space

Dupont Open Space is a hidden gem. In the spring, when the grasses tickle your legs, and the birds are singing, it is easy to forget you are near the city. The trail is all-natural and playfully wiggles through and around the plants and trees.  It is a single track with minimal maintenance. Beware of mosquitoes!

More information can be found here.

Glendale Farm Dog Park

Glendale Farm Dog Park offers folks an opportunity to hike with up to three (3) their dogs off-leash on trails that traverse the landscape and follow the fence-line. If you venture to the Glendale Farm Open Space make sure to leash your dog.

More information can be found here.

Glendale Farm Open Space

Glendale Farm Open Space trail nicely loops winds around the property, and the views make the sky look like it never ends. Don’t forget to leash your dog on the Glendale Farm Trail.

More information can be found here.

Greenland Dog Park

Greenland Dog Park is a nice place to enjoy walking with your off-leash dog. The gentle terrain is great for keeping an eye on your best buddy.   Please bring no more than three (3) dogs with you. This 17-acre dog park is located on the east side of the Greenland Open Space trailhead.

More information can be found here.

Greenland Open Space

Greenland Open Space is in the southern stretch of the county. At the trail head tie on your hiking shoes, pull out your mountain bike, or saddle up that eager horse. Your dog will have a chance to romp around off-leash in the 17-acre Devon's Dog Park. Check out the kiosk by the picnic shelter in this former railroad town of Greenland before heading out through rolling grasslands bordered by Gamble oaks and up past the wooded cemetery plot of Mr. Kipps.

More information can be found here.

Hidden Mesa Open Space

Bike, hike, and horseback ride the trails on Hidden Mesa Open Space to discover the 1224-acre natural community buffer between Castle Rock and Franktown. Embark on this soft-surface trail from the trailhead at the old homestead.

There will be room to park your horse trailer, enjoy a picnic at the shelter, or stroll in a native pollinator garden and lavender beds next to an old cabin. Follow the Farm Lane Trail to the bridge that crosses the water and willows of Cherry Creek and go north on Cherry Creek Trail.

Take a left on the Hidden Mesa Trail to wind up to the top of the mesa. Mountain bikers love the trail that loops around to viewpoints, rock outcroppings scattered with pines and junipers, and traverse through prairie dog colonies and shrublands.

More information can be found here.

Hungry Horse Open Space

Bike, hike, and horseback ride the trails on Hungry Horse Open Space  Space can be visited along the Cherry Creek Trail south of parker, where it hosts colonies of prairie dogs and prairie vegetation between the lush creek and higher banks.

 

Lincoln Mountain Open Space

Take a drive to the upper reaches of West Cherry Creek to discover Lincoln Mountain Open Space, located 18 miles south of Franktown. Douglas County Open Space acquired this high-value habitat in 2009 for wildlife, scenic, and recreational values.

Creekside meadows and rolling grasslands are backed up by forested rocky cliffs and the taller mesa of Lincoln Mountain, which you can explore on your mountain bike, horse, or your own two feet (donned with appropriate footwear!)

Two 4 mile loops offer views of Pikes Peak and West Cherry Creek Valley. Return in the spring and summer for the wildflowers. Pets must be kept on a leash. On the north loop, you will find a pullout with access to the creek to water your horse.

More information can be found here.

Nelson Open Space

Nelson Ranch Open Space is quietly nestled behind the uplifted rock walls of the Front Range hogback. Ride your horse or hike from Sharptail Ridge’s trailhead, or hike through Roxborough State Park’s red rocks and climb up Ringtail Trail to connect to Pike National Forest’s Indian Creek Trailhead.

***PUBLIC ACCESS IS BY APPOINTMENT***

More information can be found here.

Pike Hill Open Space

Pike Hill Open Space Ride or hike the forested Ringtail Trail if you have lots of energy and want to experience lush high country in Douglas County. Connect to extended beauty of the Pike National Forest to the west or outstanding views from the Sharptail Trail to the east.

More information can be found here.

Prairie Canyon Ranch Open Space

Prairie Canyon Ranch Open Space is characterized by rolling grasslands, mixed pine and Gambel oak forests, rocky outcrops, narrow canyons, riparian areas, and lush hay meadows. Hawks, pronghorn antelope, coyotes, deer, elk, and great blue herons are known inhabitants.

The ranch was acquired because of its diverse wildlife habitat, unique ranching history, and scenic qualities.

Douglas County manages the property as a working cattle ranch. Access to the property is for organized groups, including educational tours for school groups and horse rides. If the date you request is blocked out, please contact Douglas County Open Space at (303) 660-7495. 

***PUBLIC ACCESS IS BY APPOINTMENT***

More information can be found here.

Red Mesa Open Space

Red Mesa Open Space Cottonwoods line Willow Creek as it spills out of Roxborough State Park to Red Mesa Open Space. Grassy meadows also contribute to the to the wildlife habitat. There currently is no access to this property except for Research projects.

Sandstone Ranch Guided Open Space

With its spectacular views, expansive hay meadows, red rock formations, wildlife habitat, historic ranching operation, and 3.5 miles of common boundary with Pike National Forest, Sandstone Ranch is the crown jewel of all the County’s Open Space properties.

Sandstone offers two opportunities to enjoy the property.  First, you can hike, bike, or ride horses on the trail system. Or you can apply for a Special/Guided Event or Educational Opportunity and be guided by an Open Space Naturalist. 

***PUBLIC ACCESS IS BY APPOINTMENT***

More information can be found here.

Sandstone Ranch Public Open Space

With its spectacular views, expansive hay meadows, red rock formations, wildlife habitat, historic ranching operation, and 3.5 miles of common boundary with Pike National Forest, Sandstone Ranch is the crown jewel of all the County’s Open Space properties.

Sandstone offers two opportunities to enjoy the property.  First, you can hike, bike, or ride horses on the trail system. Or you can apply for a Special/Guided Event or Educational Opportunity and be guided by an Open Space Naturalist. 

More information can be found here.

Sharptail Ridge Open Space

The rolling high plains of Douglas County Sharptail Ridge Open Space have expansive views. The Denver skyline to the north, Cherokee Ranch to the east, the Rampart Range to the southwest and layered rocks of Roxborough State Park’s hogback to the west.

The trail crosses into Roxbourgh SP where you will drop down into the isolated world of the hogback and join up with with the Swallowtail Loops through native shrubs, scattered conifers, and red rock formations of DC’s Nelson Ranch Open Space.

If lucky, you'll catch a glimpse of a black bear, fox or elk. Optional connections could take you back to trails in Roxborough State Park, or up the Ringtail Trail to Pike National Forest. Check for trail closures durning hunting season, Sept-Nov.

More information can be found here.

Schmidt Open Space

Schmidt Open Space Space was donated to Douglas County to serve as wildlife habitat amongst its varied terrain and rich ecosystems. Garber Creek flows through the steep canyon, which is fed by three tributaries.

Spruce Meadows Open Space

The 8.5-mile Spruce Meadows Trail winds through grassy meadows between Greenland Open Space and Spruce Mountain. The trail has been cut through undulating fields of grasses and wildflowers. Expect to share some pastures with cattle from May to Sept.

Enjoy views of surrounding buttes, Pikes Peak, Spruce Mountain and the Rampart Range, as well as Carpenter Creek and thousands of acres of protected open space.

The trail crosses over (or under) Spruce Mountain Road twice at marked crossings, and crosses over Noe Road twice before looping back to the parking area. Horseback riders will use this trailhead and trail to access Spruce Mountain.

More information can be found here.

Spruce Mountain Open Space

Spruce Mountains gradual 8.5 mile trail ascends to the loop on the rock-rimmed flat top makes it as popular as it is stunning. The trail system provides immediate access to fun terrain and views. The climb to the upper loop is hard and so worth the effort. This trail system tickles the senses – the fresh air, chirping birds, bear scat, grass tickling your legs, the wind blowing your hair, and the sun warming your bone – what more is there?!

More information can be found here.

Available Request Dates

Date Requested: 

Pick your requested date below. Available dates are highlighted with green. We require 10 days of lead time for programs.

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