The Boulder Canyon Trail is a 2.6 mile trail that follows along Boulder Creek. The trail connects with the Boulder Creek Path into Boulder.
Boulder Canyon Trail
Trails
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Boulder Canyon Trail
2.3 miles – Easy
Trail Closed at Bridge
Updated April 1
A section of the Boulder Canyon Trail is closed because a large hole has formed under the trail approaching the bridge. The closure is at the bridge a quarter-mile east (downhill) of Fourmile Canyon Drive. At this time, no detour is available. The canyon’s geography does not provide a feasible alternative route off of Highway 119.
The large hole is approximately 6 feet long, 4-5 feet wide, and 3-4 feet deep. The top surface of the trail looks intact because it sits on a thin concrete or rock slab with crusher-fines on top. However, the area beneath that layer has washed away and there is potential it will collapse creating an unsafe sinkhole.
The project is complex due to the proximity along Boulder Creek and Boulder Canyon Drive (Highway 119), the City of Boulder’s water utility infrastructure that runs under the bridge, and the necessary permitting.
Staff are actively working on a short-term repair that may allow the bridge to reopen to pedestrians and cyclists until a permanent fix is made. A timeline will be posted once it is set.
With help from the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), staff added roadside signs to warn drivers about increased bicycle traffic.
Public safety remains the highest priority, and trail users are asked not to use the closed bridge. The Boulder Canyon Trail is a highly popular route for both hikers and cyclists, and staff are working diligently to restore access as soon as it can be done safely.
Updates will be posted on this page and you can sign up to receive email and/or text alerts whenever trails open or close.
Parking Areas
There are several informal parking areas located along CO 119/Boulder Canyon Drive.
Boulder Creek Path and Chapman Drive Trailhead
The eastern end of the Boulder Canyon Trail connects with the Boulder Creek Path that is managed by the City of Boulder.
The western end of the trail connects to the Chapman Drive Trailhead that is also managed by the City of Boulder.
Interactive Map
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