Pictured: Washed out bridge over Cherry Creek in Castlewood Canyon State Park.
July 19 Update: One bridge has been repaired at Castlewood Canyon State Park, repairs continue on several others.
Please plan ahead before heading out for your next hike. Several popular recreation spots in Douglas County are under repair after heavy rainfall in June.
Hidden Mesa Trail and Open Space incurred damage after portions of the trail were washed out amid heavy rainfall. Repairs are underway. Please check our webpage for current closure information before planning to enjoy the area.
Cherry Creek Trail has also been heavily impacted by weather.
Castlewood Canyon
Recent heavy rainfall has destroyed all bridge crossings over Cherry Creek in Castlewood Canyon State Park, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, which is warning visitors that there is no path to cross the creek in the park at this time. Hikers should consider any loop trails to be out-and-back. Creek Bottom Trail also suffered significant damage.
Bridge repair work will take weeks and may not be completed before August. Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff cannot begin construction until water levels recede.
North of Castlewood Canyon
Along Cherry Creek Trail to the north of Castlewood Canyon – on portions of the trail maintained by Douglas County – several intersections are also closed intermittently due to water damage.
From Highway 86 north to Scott Avenue, please travel with caution along the trail. Standing water and erosion have been found on the trail under Highway 86, at Bayou Gulch Open Space Trail, just south of Scott Avenue and under Scott Avenue. Crews are working to repair and maintain this trail and advise you to turn around if you encounter standing water.
More about Castlewood Canyon
Castlewood Canyon has received 14.01 inches of rain since Jan. 1, according to the National Weather Service. Creek levels are two feet above normal operating levels. The high-level mark was recorded in late June at 9.5 feet, with normal creek levels considered to be between two and three feet.
Updates on construction and trail conditions at Castlewood Canyon will be posted to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Facebook page and the CPW Northeast Region Twitter account.