Stratton Open Space is just on the Southwest edge of Colorado Springs, abutting North Cheyenne Canyon. It’s a perfect place to spend a day or an afternoon in nature without having to drive for hours. It’s less than 3 miles from downtown!
Stratton Open Space is just on the Southwest edge of Colorado Springs, abutting North Cheyenne Canyon. It’s a perfect place to spend a day or an afternoon in nature without having to drive for hours. It’s less than 3 miles from downtown!
The Stratton Open Space is owned by Colorado Springs City, purchased in 1998 to provide safety to vegetation and wildlife while providing trail and recreation opportunities for visitors. The area is over 320 acres with 13 miles of trails and access to Pike National Forest.
While the area is most popular with mountain bikers, dogs are allowed off leash in certain areas. One of those areas is a big reservoir where pups can frolic and play in the water! Fishing and human swimming are permitted, but the reservoir is almost entirely fenced-in and very clean. Sometimes folks put their hammocks up in the nearby trees and just relax!
The climb along the Upper Meadows Loop to the reservoir is about 1.7 miles depending on whether you park on the LeVeta Way lot or the Ridgeway Avenue lot. Here’s the trail map for the whole park.
The hike is a mostly low-grade incline, but do be aware that on a hot day it can still be quite taxing for a dark-furred dog or pups with compromised respiratory health. You might want to do the hike during the earlier part of the day, so the hottest part of the hike happens after some water time. Either way, make sure to bring water for the walk up!
There are two or three trails in Sutton Open Space where pups are welcome on-leash as well. Trails are well-marked and signs are clear about usage. The park opens at 5 a.m. and closes at 9 p.m. March through November or 10 p.m. April through October.
Is there a better way to spend a day with your pup than observing the plants and wildlife together? Not for us! Make sure to bring a water bowl, good shoes, and a towel if you want to dry Fido off before he gets in the back seat!
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