South Valley Park, Colorado, USA

Origins, Facilities, and Hiking the Coyote Song Trail

Jun 27, 2009 Bill Sassani

South Valley Park is a Jefferson County Open Space park in Colorado that has hiking trails and views of the mountains.

Close to residential neighborhoods and within an easy drive from the western suburbs of Denver, South Valley Park has plenty of opportunities for those looking to get outside. Whether it is a quick, after-work hike or a Saturday spent with the kids outside, South Valley Park makes a convenient choice for outdoor enthusiasts.

How to Get to South Valley Park

From highway C-470, take the Ken-Caryl exit. The road splits before a residential neighborhood. Take the left road, and drive uphill to a stop-sign. The parking lot is just below to the left.

History of South Valley Park

According to park literature, South Valley Park was originally settled by Frank Mann, which was called “south ranch,” and was purchased by John Schaffer in 1926. The land was owned by several private landowners until purchased by Martin Marietta (which is now called Lockheed Martin) in 1987. Jefferson County bought 909 acres in 1999.

Hiking at South Valley Park

The Coyote Song Trail cuts through the park, north to south. About one-and-a-half miles long, the trail is well graded and passes by unique rock formations, with views of the foothills to the west. The rocks and the dirt on the trail are a bright red, which stands out strongly in relief with the green along either side of the trail.

There are a variety of plants along the trail, including flowers and yucca plants. The Coyote Song Trail is a multi-use trail, which means it is used by visitors other than hikers, such as mountain bikers, horseback riders, and trail runners. Although graded, be sure to wear sturdy shoes that provide support and have good traction.

Other Facilities at South Valley Park

Other facilities that are available to visitors at South Valley Park include:

Information kiosks at both ends of the park.
A portable toilet at the southern end of the park, with established restrooms at the northern end.
Water fountains at the north end of the park.
Covered picnic facilities.
Information stations along the trail that describe the local geology and natural history.

Things to Keep in Mind When Hiking at South Valley Park

There are some areas of the park that are closed for sensitive habitat. Please respect trail closures.
Dogs must be kept leashed, and picked up after.
Hunting, carrying firearms, and discharging firearms is prohibited.
Bring along a water bottle and some trail snacks to stay hydrated and maintain energy.
Watch out for afternoon summer thunderstorms.
Hours of operation are one hour before sunrise and an hour after sunset.

More Information about South Valley Park

For more information about South Valley Park, visit the official Jefferson County Open Space website.

The copyright of the article South Valley Park, Colorado, USA in Backpacking, Hiking & Camping is owned by Bill Sassani. Permission to republish South Valley Park, Colorado, USA in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.