With over 150 miles of multi-use trails within Westminster, there's no shortage of outdoor opportunities. There are 50 individual trails within the system, composed of concrete, gravel, natural, and multi-surface materials. There are 5 regional trails, which are great for commuting and recreational use. The regional trails are Big Dry Creek Trail (Westminster's National Recreation Trail), Farmers' High Line Canal Trail, Little Dry Creek Trail, Rocky Mountain Greenway Trail, and the U.S. 36 Bikeway. These trails have been established along ditches and canals that were preserved as wildlife corridors, but they also provide access for trail users to observe a little bit of peace and serenity in an ever-growing metropolitan area.
With an increase in population, the trails will see increased traffic. Make sure you know how to share the trails, by viewing our Trail Etiquette Guide
Big Dry Creek Trail
The Big Dry Creek Trail is the crown jewel of Westminster's off-road trail system. The trail meanders nearly 12 miles, within Westminster, from Standley Lake Regional Park to Interstate 25 and beyond into Thornton. Big Dry Creek Trail crosses under most streets through underpasses, which are being beautified by local artists. The trail is located on more than 900 acres of Westminster open space and 200 acres of park land along the creek, a land area greater than New York's 843-acre Central Park! The Big Dry Creek Trail has been designated a National Recreation Trail since 2003.
Big Dry Creek Sewer Work/Trail Impacts
Farmers' High Line Canal Trail
The Farmers' High Line Canal was originally built in the 1860s by the Arapahoe Ditch Company from Clear Creek to Van Bibber Creek in what is now Arvada. The remaining segments to the east were built in subsequent years by the Golden City and Arapahoe Ditch Company. It is one of Westminster's signature trails as it winds from near Standley Lake east to Northglenn's EB Raines Park (10.3 mi/16.5 km) and beyond into Thornton. The trail is scenic as it meanders through a variety of parks and open space property, in many places shaded by ancient cottonwood trees. Here are the major trail segments, going from east to west.
Little Dry Creek Trail
The Little Dry Creek Trail provides Westminster's connection to the Denver regional trail system. Just south of Westminster, the trail ends at the Clear Creek Trail, which in turn connects with the South Platte River Trail. The trail also extends several miles northwest through Arvada to near Standley Lake Regional Park. The entire 2.4 mile (3.8 km) length of the trail through Westminster is devoid of any at-grade street crossings - instead the trail has 10 pedestrian underpasses between Sheridan Boulevard and Federal Boulevard. Little Dry Creek Trail is one segment of the Rocky Mountain Greenway Trail.
Rocky Mountain Greenway Trail
The Rocky Mountain Greenway Trail is a regional trail across the northern part of the Denver metropolitan area to connect the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge in Commerce City to the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge, which directly abuts Westminster’s western boundary at Indiana Street. This trail was named one of the "16 in 2016" trail projects in Colorado by Governor Hickenlooper. The City has partnered with the Federal Highway Administration to construct the trail in Arvada, Westminster, and Broomfield.
Much of the trail utilizes existing regional trails, such as the Sand Creek Trail, South Platte Trail, Clear Creek Trail, and Little Dry Creek Trail. The trail passes through two parts of Westminster. The Little Dry Creek Trail section of the Greenway Trail will cross through south Westminster. For a detailed description of this trail segment, see the description of the Little Dry Creek Trail. The trail also passes through Westminster, north of 86th Parkway and east of Indiana Street, across Standley Lake Regional Park and Westminster Hills Open Space. The trail crosses under 86th Parkway just west of Kipling Street along the Farmers’ High Line Canal. The trail hugs the east side of Standley Lake along the base of the Standley Lake dam. The Greenway Trail uses the Big Dry Creek Trail along the east and north side of Standley Lake to Simms Street. West of Simms Street, the trail runs south of the Standley Lake Regional Park Nature Center and crosses 100th Avenue onto the Westminster Hills Open Space. The trail continues in a northwesterly alignment to about 108th Avenue and Indiana Street.
Subsequent phases will cross Indiana Street, extend the trail onto the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge and eventually to Boulder and perhaps Rocky Mountain National Park.
US 36 Bikeway
The U.S. 36 Bikeway extends from 80th Avenue at U.S. 36 to 96th Street at U.S. 36, midway between Broomfield and Louisville. The trail continues from 96th Street to Table Mesa Park-n-Ride in Boulder. The trail is 12 feet wide and built from concrete the entire length. At 80th Avenue, the Bradburn Trail extends south to 72nd Avenue and connects with the Little Dry Creek Trail which connects to downtown Denver (via the Clear Creek Trail and South Platte River Trail).