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The Platte River Trail is just one of many of Denver's superb multi-use trails, this one stretching from just north and west of Englewood and heading north toward Henderson. The 34.24-mile trail follows the winding Platte River, coursing through Denver's urban landscape—including its industrial face—and incorporating high plains grassland landscapes with the Rockies as a backdrop.
About the Route
For most of its 34-mile route, the trail winds alongside the South Platte River. From its northern terminus, the trail passes by several notable sites including Veteran's Park in the very north, Pelican Ponds Open Space, through the River North Art District, Commons Park, the Denver Broncos Empower Field, Ruby Hill Park, and Overland Golf Course before reaching its southern end in Englewood where it connects to several other trails.
Trail users will find bicycle traffic circles at trail intersections, as well as interpretive signs and nature areas along the route. There are cafes, memorials, botanical gardens, and numerous parks, offering plenty to see and do. A popular stop for trail users is to stop and watch kayakers ply the Union Avenue boat chutes.
The southern 10 miles of the trail are also referred to as the Mary Carter Greenway.
Connections
In Welby, the trail connects to the Niver Canal Trail, and the Clear Creek Trail.
In Commerce Creek, the trail connects to the Sand Creek Regional Greenway.
In downtown Denver, the trail connects to the Cherry Creek Regional Trail.
In the Villa Park neighborhood, the trail connects to the West Line Rail Bike Path and Weir Gulch Trail.
In the South Platte neighborhood, the trail connects to the Sanderson Gulch Trail and the West Harvard Gulch Trail.
At the beginning of the Mary Carter Greenway, the South Platte River Trail connects to the Bear Creek Trail.
At the southern end of the trail, it connects to the C470 Bikeway.
The South Platte River Trail runs between 405 W Bridge St (Brighton) and the C470 Bikeway (Littleton), where parking is available.
Parking is also available at:
There are numerous parking options along the route. Please see TrailLink Map for all parking options and detailed directions.
Although the map shows the Platte River Trail ending at E-470, the trail continues seamlessly another 3.8 miles north to Veterans Park in Brighton.
Trail is awesome I take this trail to get up to north Glenn from Denver just be aware is very busy at times and alot of geese/duck crap on the path
No reviews or pictures since 2021??
Just finished it.. our favorite part was south of Inverness Park through the Overland Golf course area.. beautifully maintained by the city with waterfall features, outdoor gym equipment, great places to picnic... we were really really impressed with the southern portion of the trail. On to the next one!
Beautiful urban trail Retaining wall damage has closed the trail between Mississippi and Alameda. Not known when repairs will be completed
I just decided to try this trail today and I’m so glad I did! I started at around 88th and Colorado. I went almost 4 miles (on roller skates) and the ride was amazing. There was one small spot with some twigs and pebble debris but I made it over without too much trouble. I didn’t skate as far as I wanted to, but there was only like 1 steepish slope under a bridge (it has a railing on the left side though so you can still make it if you’re a beginner). I highly recommend this trail; smooth as butter and people are respectful.
I’ve ridden south from this junction down past Dartmouth where the trail connects westward to the Bear Creek trail. However the app indicates that the Platte River trail ends past Dartmouth but that’s incomplete information cuz the Platte trail continues many miles south past Littleton. Great ride but it does have some rough patches (and some rough neighborhoods)
The trail between Mississippi and Alameda has wood retaining walls that are leaning into the trail and are a hazard to all.
Who is responsible for the upkeep and how can I donate to help get this repaired quickly?
Perfect for an out of towner like myself. Trail was easy to follow especially with this app!
This trail from Mile High Stadium north to Thornton was awesome. The path is all concrete with a few brief exceptions. The trail is well laid out, good signage. The are frequent rest spots and even quite a few places to relieve yourself if need be with porta potties that were surprisingly clean. Lots of wildlife and open areas. Well worth the trip.
I started at the northern terminus (small parking area) at 136th and Brighton Rd. I rode out to 88th Ave and back, which was 20 miles total. The first 6.5 miles to 104th Ave are very nice with less obvious/ugly man-made intrusions and lots of natural scenery. South of 104th, you see more fences, power lines, construction areas, urbanization, etc., but it is still nice as you travel along within the river's greenbelt. In this section, near the crossing at McKay Rd., there a couple of short gravel detours but also some nice new path [re]construction just being finished up. Overall, the path itself is excellent as it is wide and very smooth concrete. The course it takes is flat and easy though there is an overall ascent/descent (~10'/mile) based on whether you are going up or down river. Despite it being mid-December with no leaves in the trees and most everything browned out, there are some very pretty cottonwood groves and marshland areas Also, there was plenty of waterfowl varieties to see including Great Blue Herons and a fair number of raptors including a couple of Bald Eagles. I plan on returning during other times of the year to how it looks in the other seasons and because it is such a great recreation resource.
A friend and I rode this trail a couple of weeks ago. Other than a detour between 96th and 104th, which really wasn't too bad, the trail is in good shape. It actually goes through to the north farther than the description listed in the trail guide. It now ends at 136th and Old Brighton Road.
I used the trail many times in September and found all sections of the trail were open.
There are lots of families and weekend sightseers who don't know bike path ediquite, but otherwise it's a great through path that is well maintained. Most of it is scenic along the river with several areas of industrial views. Shops and rest areas along the way. Connects to many other trails.
.......but as of two weeks ago it was discontinuous North of the confluence--there is reconstruction ongoing on the west bank--a bypass using roads is available. Then about a mile North of 96th St in Thornton there is a huge washout. Also note that Clear Creek is also being reconstructed due to flooding about 4 miles West of junction with this trail.
We parked at Overland Pond park on Florida Ave. We went north to Confluence park downtown. Good views of the city, SAField, Elitch. The trail is concrete, mostly flat, and shaded in many areas. North of Confluence is industrial, and not very scenic. Then we turned around and went south to Dartmouth. This section runs along 85 and through some industrial areas. Narrow in spots, but still good views of the river. At Dartmouth, the trail becomes the Mary Carter greenway. We also did the Lakewood Gulch trail and the Sanderson Gulch trail which each run a couple miles west from the Platt trail. In total, 25 miles. Good scenic day.
well maintained trail. I use it to commute to work in the summer. plenty of places to stop and have a snack and for the kids to play near the S. Platte River.
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