Carpenter Peak Trail

Front Range • Littleton, Colorado

moderateout and back

6.4

Miles

1,100

Elevation Gain (ft)

Hours

7,205

High Point (ft)

Overview

Carpenter Peak is the high point of Roxborough State Park at 7,205 feet, a forested summit above the red rock fins with a view back over the park, the hogbacks, and Denver on the plains. The trail climbs about 1,100 feet in 3.25 miles from the visitor center, through the fins and then up a ridge of scrub oak and ponderosa, and it is the park's one real hike; the loops below it are walks.

Trail Highlights

Roxborough red rock formations

Highest park summit

Denver skyline views

Forested upper climb

The Route

From the visitor center, take the Willow Creek trail south through the meadow between the red fins, then the signed Carpenter Peak trail, which climbs west out of the valley. The trail switchbacks up a slope of scrub oak with the fins below and the plains beyond, then gains a ridge of ponderosa and Douglas fir where the grade eases.

The ridge rolls to the summit, a rocky point with a view east over the park and the city and west into the foothills. The trail continues beyond the summit toward the Colorado Trail and Waterton Canyon for a long link-up. Return the same way for 6.4 miles.

Getting to the Trailhead

Roxborough State Park is south of Littleton: from Colorado 470, take Wadsworth Boulevard south, then Waterton Road and North Rampart Range Road to the park entrance. A Colorado State Parks pass is required, paid at the entrance. The park is open 7 AM to 8 PM in summer, with shorter hours in winter posted on the park page, and the visitor center runs 9 to 4; the visitor center lot fills by mid-morning on weekends year-round, and the park turns cars away when it is full. Groups of ten or more need a permit, and the park asks any group to email ahead. Toilets and water at the visitor center.

Best Time to Hike

The trail is open year-round. Spring and fall are the best seasons; summer afternoons are hot on the open lower slope and the storm reaches the ridge by mid-afternoon. In winter the north-facing sections hold snow and ice for weeks and microspikes are useful; the park is at its quietest. The scrub oak turns red in October.

🌸spring

☀️summer

🍂fall

Good to Know

No dogs anywhere in Roxborough, and no bikes; the park is managed as a natural area and the rangers enforce it. The distance is why the trail is listed for older kids; the Fountain Valley loop below is the family walk. Carry two liters; there is no water on the trail. Rattlesnakes are common in the rocks and the oak in warm months, and mountain lions live in the park. Littleton is 20 minutes. The Littleton hikes page has Waterton Canyon and Devil's Head.

Sources

Figures and access details on this page were checked against these pages on 2026-09-04. Conditions change; confirm with the managing agency before you go.