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    South Valley Park

    4.6 (25 reviews)

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    Mike G.

    Second time to hike Coyote Song Trail, but first time to review. While we didn't see any rattlesnakes, as many on AllTrails recently have mentioned, we did actually run into the meanest woman we've encountered in the almost two years we've lived in Colorado. She was walking slow with her dog and then stopped in the middle of the trail. When I asked, she refused to move so we could pass. She then berated us for owning a dog that couldn't interact with others in public. Even after we explained that we have a rescue and have spent a lot of money on training, she was still vile and suggested we just shouldn't bring our dog out if she can't socialize with others. Really? So, yeah, this encounter ruined our day, but the trail itself, our second time here, was lovely.

    Kellie D.

    We parked in the northern trailhead lot of this great park which had a map kiosk you could look at before picking your trails. It was extremely well-marked with easy to follow trails. It was a warm September afternoon when we did it and there's no shade so I definitely recommend sunscreen and a hat. There were grasshoppers everywhere hopping out of the way which was fun to see. There were tons of beautiful wildflowers as well. We did about six miles of trails -- fun way to spend an afternoon.

    Alisa J.

    Great trail with nice wide path and tons of parking. Was super quiet when we went and there was great views of the cool rocks. Great for a easy afternoon walk.

    Even though crowded, you can get away by walking a little further
    David M.

    Great spot for a Denver area dog-friendly hike about a 30 minute drive from downtown. Walk through the foothills just south of the Red Rocks location and see deer, falcons, coyote, rabbits, and even elk (tracks:). We went while there was still a few inches of snow on the ground but there's so much foot traffic on most all of the trails that the pathways are easy to find and mostly well tamped down. Granted there was lots of mud and lots of people, but we chose the less traveled routes (as you can see from the pix) and so missed much of the crowds, which by the way is the only reason this place rates as a less than 5 stars: overuse/crowded. Nonetheless, still a really enjoyable place for a very accessible easy hike.

    Great place to go hiking! Coyote Song Trail had beautiful views and easy hiking.

    Go! I found this park looking for a beautiful spot near Denver and it did not disappoint!

    Red rock
    Ally C.

    I'm a photographer and I needed another nature area to do a photoshoot near Denver besides red rocks park (there was a concert that day so it would have been packed) and I had this park recommended to me! It was gorgeous! I was so happy that there was also some red rocks there! I was able to take photos with the red rocks in it and beautiful areas around the park. I visited in the summer and everything was green and alive. Highly recommend this to other photographers or people looking for a hike with some red rocks and an open nature area! I also highly recommend this if the amphitheater is packed for a concert! It's a great alternative!

    Mo C.

    Convenient location (just off C470), lots of parking, easy hikes with views of Red Rocks and Mountains. The main hike at South Valley Park is a 2.8mi Lolipop Loop following the Swallow Tail & Coyote Song Trails. This is best accessed from the South Entrance on Deer Creek Canyon Rd (so you get the stick of the lolipop, as well as the loop). However, you can do the loop portion if you start at the main, North entrance. It's a nice trail for beginners or those just looking to get some cardio in after work or during your lunch break. There are always other folks on the trail with the same idea, but they are pleasant and courteous. The trailhead has covered picnic areas with bbq's, if you are so inclined to use them. Restrooms are also available. There's virtually no shade on this trail, so bring the sunscreen and a hat! If you are looking for post-hike libations & munchies, I recommend Q's Bar & Grill at Kipling & Chatfield. They don't mind your sweaty clothes and dusty hiking boots ;)

    Khloe S.

    The trails in this park are amazing. But beware: this entire park offers very limited shade. So lather on the sun screen, bring a hat and glasses, lots of water, and stay on the trails so you don't get lost! You won't be disappointed. Absolutely breath taking views, many opportunities to see incredible wild life, and so many gorgeous sights. This park is located super close to Denver and gives you some really great views of the Red Rocks and Mountains!

    Good sized rattlesnake 8-18-2016
    Jamie B.

    5 stars. I come here and do trail running and am working on conquering the Coyote Song Trail without stopping. It's three massive inclines with an elevation gain of almost 500 feet. I plan to have this done by end of summer, go me! Good trail, lots of cacti (sp?) and trails softly rolling through meadows - good for walks with dogs and kids alike. I will say that kids are sometimes a bit "off leash" here so to speak, and parents need to do a better job of keeping them from running astray off the trail or in front of runners or mountain bikers... advised everyone probably stick to the trail here as it's got a very desert like atmosphere with rattlesnakes and sharp cactus plants scattered about. I've also only gone on the weekends so that probably has something to do with my experience.

    Shady spot located!
    Brick H.

    What a find!! The only reason it doesn't get 5 stars is due to the scarce shade - which on summer days like today where the temp reaches above 90 degrees would have been nice! We found a few shady spots, but they were a bit off the trail, which isn't recommended - rattle snakes! The area is huge, laced with trails, flowers, and stunning red rock views. We took Swallow Trail to Coyote Song trail and looped it back around to the parking lot - took about 1.25 hrs with stops and a big ol' dog. The parking lot has two large areas with plenty of parking. On a Sunday, we only ran into a dozen or so folks on the trail during the hike. Very pleasant! Hiking was fantastic, and I can't WAIT to go back to mountain bike!

    Molly C.

    This place is so nice! They have such great bathrooms that are so clean I couldn't believe! The picnic area is nice, you can have a private area to yourself. And the views are fantastic! Lots of red rocks meeting blue sky is so breath taking! My son loves it and there are always other families out and about. All the dogs are leashed and everyone seems so happy to be there. Horses can even be on the trail and it's good for bikes as well. We brought our stroller for the way back. I just love coming here. It's so close by

    On the coyote trail, on a 62 degree day in January.
    Chase L.

    Great hiking spot so being so close to Denver like everyone has said. Keep in mind during the winter months that when it's nice and warm out the trails do get muddy. Nice easy trails and it's beautiful. Can't ask for more

    Only rattlesnake I saw was this guy
    Sophie L.

    Did the Coyota Song Trail and it was really pretty. Easy trail with great views. Not a lot of shade though.

    On the Swallow Trail

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    10 years ago

    Found this gem on a business trip and it was the perfect hike in the afternoon. Also got to see a few mule deer

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    9 years ago

    Awesome! Just pay attention to the trail map so that you don't get lost. It's easy to navigate but there are several travel paths.

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    Ask the Community - South Valley Park

    Review Highlights - South Valley Park

    I come here and do trail running and am working on conquering the Coyote Song Trail without stopping.

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    The Savvy Hiker - There is an adventure for anyone - no matter how great or small.

    The Savvy Hiker

    5.0(1 review)
    8.2 mi

    I first tried The Savvy Hiker last summer for a group adventure in Lost Creek Wilderness. It…read moreturned out to be such a great success that my friends and I were anxious to get out again this summer for another destination we were interested in, hoping it would be equally as fun as the last. We chose Apache Falls, a tall glorious waterfall in a remote part of southern Colorado. Since we had such a good chemistry with our Savvy Hiker guide last year, we chose to hire them again for this trip. Knowing this hike had different elements than last years Lost Creek adventure, we figured it best to find out what kind of preparation would best for success. Jessica Martin our guide, once again nailed it. Building on what she taught us on the last hike, we were able to use that knowledge and gain a little more with a different environment and different time frame. We did a 2 day, one night hike and hit our destination comfortably even though there were some more challenging issues related on where to camp due to more lush thick forest, undeveloped trails, and unforgiving terrain. After being nervous at the beginning that this would be too difficult, I had to write another review about how pleased I was that we all had a great fun filled hike with all the stories and laughs once again, and a feeling of conquest of a feature not many see. Now, I feel confident to up the stakes next year and keep the tradition and growth of knowledge going for what might be the best hike yet.

    From the owner: The Savvy Hiker focuses on the outdoor-curious, and providing a reliable experience for beginners…read moreand new adventurers. We plan your adventure based on your goals, ability, time, terrain preference, and other important details that will allow us to customize your adventure - your journey will be unique. We are engaged, mindful, and soulful about your journey. Our goal is to empower and educate you to become responsible, conscious, and empathetic to the environment that surrounds your everyday life, and most importantly, have FUN. Our Team's patience, grace, and generosity are purposeful and meant to further encourage you to create your own adventure safely, and with confidence. "Everyone should have the experience of celebrating the great outdoors. We take away the uncertainty and support the adventure." - Founder

    Photos
    The Savvy Hiker - Indiana visits Colorado!

    Indiana visits Colorado!

    The Savvy Hiker - Client's first camping trip and enjoying the campfire.

    Client's first camping trip and enjoying the campfire.

    The Savvy Hiker - Adventure day hiking.

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    Adventure day hiking.

    Centennial Canoe Outfitters

    Centennial Canoe Outfitters

    4.1(12 reviews)
    10.6 mi

    The guides did a great job with the 12 guests in this star gazing trip. We all got to see some of…read morethe Perseid meteor shower! It was spectacular! The scenery while we paddled with spectacular as well. The guides, Adam, Calvin and McCartney were terrific and extremely efficient/affective and worked as a team to pitch camp, prepare food and clean up. As previously stated in reviews you must plan on handling your own gear most of the time and paddling yourself down the river. The end of the trip brought quite a sense of accomplishment to most of us, it was a wonderful experience. Highly recommend.

    We gave this trip considerable thought before booking, and overall it was a memorable experience…read morewith several outstanding aspects, but also several areas that would benefit from meaningful improvement. First, the positives. The guides were exceptional. They were professional, hardworking, safety-focused, and consistently maintained a positive attitude despite challenging conditions. Peyton, in particular, was outstanding and deserves special recognition for his leadership, dedication, and ability to make the best of every situation. The guides are clearly the organization's greatest asset. That said, there were several operational and quality concerns that significantly impacted our experience. Our itinerary instructed us to arrive at 7:00 a.m., which we did. However, we did not depart until nearly 11:00 a.m. Much of that time was spent loading canoes and equipment, which became an all-hands effort involving guests. This lengthy delay reduced valuable time on the river. The quality of the equipment was another concern. After paddling approximately 15 miles on the first day, we arrived at camp around 5:00 p.m. only to discover that the rental tent was in poor condition. Tent poles had been repaired with duct tape, the zippers were broken, and the stove was not operational. Fortunately, the guide was able to improvise a repair, but these are issues that should have been identified during routine equipment inspections before the trip began. As a result of these delays, dinner was not served until approximately 8:25 p.m., when everyone was simply exhausted and ready to eat and sleep. Food was another area where expectations did not align with what was advertised. Prior to the trip, I specifically informed the owner that one member of our group was a selective eater who enjoys foods such as beef, chicken, pasta, and eggs. Despite that advance notice, dinner consisted of cheeseburgers on both the first and second evenings. While the food itself was well prepared, there was very little variety. The website references meals such as salmon and brisket, creating an expectation of a more diverse menu. Instead, our dinners consisted primarily of cheeseburgers and stir fry. Again, this is not a reflection on the guides--they prepared excellent meals with the ingredients they were given--but rather on the planning and provisioning process. River conditions were also challenging due to unusually low water levels. At multiple locations we were required to exit the canoes and walk them over shallow, rocky sections. While I understand that river levels are outside your control, it is something prospective guests should be made aware of in advance when conditions are expected to be unusually low. The most disappointing aspect of the trip was the take-out location. Rather than ending at a maintained boat ramp or designated landing, the trip concluded beneath a highway bridge in an area littered with trash. We encountered two homeless individuals living nearby, observed discarded garbage throughout the area, and I personally saw two used hypodermic needles. It was a startling way to conclude what had otherwise been a beautiful river experience. The steep path used to carry the canoes and equipment back to the vehicles was also covered in debris. Ironically, the two homeless gentlemen kindly assisted everyone in carrying gear up the hill, for which we were genuinely appreciative. However, the overall condition of the take-out site left a lasting negative impression. In summary, the people made this trip worthwhile. Your guides demonstrated professionalism, dedication, and outstanding customer service under difficult circumstances. However, there appear to be systemic quality control issues involving equipment maintenance, trip logistics, menu planning, and the condition of the launch and take-out facilities. Addressing these areas would substantially improve the overall guest experience and allow the outstanding work of your guides to truly shine. Despite the concerns outlined above, we do not regret taking the trip. The river itself was beautiful, and your guides worked incredibly hard to overcome challenges that were largely outside of their control. Our hope is that you view this feedback as an opportunity to strengthen the overall experience. With better equipment maintenance, improved logistical planning, greater menu variety, and a more suitable take-out location, this could easily become an exceptional trip from start to finish.

    Photos
    Centennial Canoe Outfitters
    Centennial Canoe Outfitters
    Centennial Canoe Outfitters - Wild Child.

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    Wild Child.

    Aspire Tours - Lake Sprague

    Aspire Tours

    4.9(169 reviews)
    15.2 miLodo, Northwest

    Rocky Mountain Experience: Very disappointing. The guide immediately did an upsell when we got in…read morethe van to include a gondola ride for an extra $27. Four of the 9 ppl in our van took advantage of it - which meant the tour went an hour beyond the allotted time and we were rushed through the sites we paid to see. It ruined our last night in town as we missed our dinner reservation and after dinner plans - which didn't concern the driver in the least. Other lowlights were listening to the guide drone on and on about his life and opinions, pulling over THREE times as one lady thought she maybe saw some wildlife waaaayyy in the distant woods, and spending much too long in a small town where half the stores were closed so the gondola opters could have their unscheduled fun and the tour company could grab a few extra dollars.

    We booked the "Rocky Mountain Escape" tour for about $90 per person, and it ended up being one of…read morethe best parts of our trip. The tour lasted a little over 4 hours and is considered a half-day experience. Our guide, Aaron, was awesome! He is super friendly, funny, and full of great info about Denver and its history. Pickup was right in front of Union Station, and the tour started right on time (a few people in our group were running behind, of course haha). We made several stops along the way, and every single one had amazing views. We even got to see some wildlife: bighorn rams, elk, and a fox! Aaron was great about pulling over so everyone could grab photos whenever we spotted something cool. There were about 11 of us in total, which made it feel like a nice small group instead of a big crowded tour. It was our first time exploring the Rocky Mountains, and we're so glad we chose Aspire Tours. I would definitely recommend them...and don't forget to tip your guide.

    Photos
    Aspire Tours - Lookout Mountain with my dad.

    Lookout Mountain with my dad.

    Aspire Tours - On the stage at Red Rocks.

    On the stage at Red Rocks.

    Aspire Tours - Jerry after our Pime's Peak/Garden of Gods tour

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    Jerry after our Pime's Peak/Garden of Gods tour

    South Valley Park - hiking - Updated September 2026

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