Best Trails for New Runners in Denver: Bear Creek

Bear Creek Lake Park is the perfect intro for anyone new to trail running, or for those that are adapting to Denver's elevation. For the most part, Bear Creek is flat with minimal technicality, and there are a variety of trails to accommodate any distance desired. The park is owned by the City of Lakewood and requires a pass to park inside. A day pass is $10, but an annual pass purchased online is $50 for Jefferson County residents ($65 for non-residents) OR you can park outside and run in as any sensible human being would do. The best place to park is across the street from the Conoco station at the intersection of C470 and Morrison Road or in the actual town of Morrison on the south side of Morrison Road.

My recommendation for someone running this route for the first time is to enter Bear Creek by using the pedestrian crossing from the parking lot across from Conoco which leads to a paved bike path that crosses under C470. Continue on this trail until it intersects with Owl Trail (turn right) which begins at the bridge. After the bridge, take an immediate left turn onto the dirt trail. Soon, the trail is interrupted by a parking lot, but continues on across the road. The trail continues along the creek until it turns into the fitness trail. Stay on this for approximately half a mile. The trail has a small descent to a picnic area and parking lot; cross the parking lot and road to join Mount Carbon trail. Mount Carbon trail cross a bridge and eventually joins Fisherman's Trail which circumnavigates the lake. Once past the parking lot on the north side of the lake, Fisherman's rejoins a sandy Mount Carbon Trail. Run along the creek until the trail allows a left turn (bridge crossing). This returns you to Owl trail that will, after turning right, take you back to where you started. This route ends up being approximately 5 and half to 6 miles depending on where you parked. Despite the complicated directions, it really is intuitive once on the trails. As the map shows, there are a multitude of routes one can take so it offers endless variety. For those looking for a little bit of an incline, stay on the Mount Carbon instead of jumping onto Fisherman's.