Berry Creek Trail

Berry Creek is the Edwards trail: an old jeep road that climbs north from the town's edge along Berry Creek into the aspen and pine of the ridge above the Vail Valley, with the Sawatch and the Holy Cross massif filling the view south. It is 5 miles round trip with 900 feet of gain, shared with mountain bikers all summer, and one of the first trails in the valley to open in spring and the last to close in fall.

From the Berry Creek parking area above Edwards, the road climbs steadily north along the creek through sage and then aspen, wide and easy to follow, with the valley opening behind you as you gain. The June Creek trail joins from the right at about 2 miles and offers a loop back toward Singletree.

The road continues into the pine on the ridge above, where the view south takes in the Vail Valley, the Sawatch, and the Mount of the Holy Cross on a clear day, and the turnaround for the 5-mile day is wherever the view is best, at about 8,500 feet. The trail links into the Forest Service network above for longer trips. Return the same way or by the June Creek loop.

From I-70 exit 163 for Edwards, go north on Beard Creek Road toward the Shaw Cancer Center, then turn right into the dirt trailhead across from the medical center. Hikers stay on the wide dirt road (Forest Road 774) along the creek; the Edmunds Powerline road (Forest Road 780) leaves it at about 0.8 mile and is the mountain bikers' climb. The lot is small and fills on summer weekends; the neighborhood streets are permit zones. No fee or permit. There is no toilet. Berry Creek Road (Forest Road 774) is closed to vehicles at the creek crossing 1.4 miles up from August 31 to September 20, 2026 while a culvert is replaced; the trail is walkable around the work, but check the White River National Forest alerts page for the current status.

Dogs are allowed and should be leashed near the neighborhood and under control above. The grade is easy for kids and the road is wide enough for two abreast. Mountain bikers ride the road and the June Creek loop fast; listen and step aside. Carry water; Berry Creek runs low by midsummer. Edwards has groceries and restaurants at the trailhead, and Vail is 15 minutes east. The Vail hikes page has the East Vail creek trails and Upper Piney River Falls.