Happy Trails: Catching one of the best views between Colorado Springs and Denver
Daniels Park finds itself in a high plains environment — no less splendid than those mountainous parcels. It’s tucked away at a point where urban sprawl meets the wild.
Daniels Park
Whether approaching from Interstate 25 through Castle Pines or from U.S. 85 through Sedalia, you might be surprised by what you find at Daniels Park.
You might be surprised to quickly rise above the neighborhood on one side, the golf course on the other, and find yourself upon the scenic ridge that Daniels Park Road spans.
It spans the site of what was known as one of Colorado’s early territorial roads. It was conveniently situated where the eye could spot friend or foe approaching from afar.
The eye still sees seemingly forever.
A master plan for the park owned and managed by the city of Denver celebrated “one of the most expansive vistas in Colorado.”
Indeed, those who know Daniels Park know it to be the best place to catch the sun set over the mountains seen as far south as Pikes Peak, Mount Blue Sky and Longs Peak to the north.
If you don’t know Daniels Park, you might find another surprise: bison. The herd has roamed here for decades — members of the same herd the city of Denver previously established at Genesee Park.
Pedestrians watch as bison graze Daniels Park on July 11, 2023. (Parker Seibold, The Gazette)
Another intrigue: It is said Kit Carson made his last campfire around here in 1868. We talked to a park manager who imagined the view Carson saw compared to today.
“I’m sure it would have been very different,” he said.
No matter the golf course and rooftops, it is a splendid view. And it’s best enjoyed by foot or bike.
The sunset creates depth to mountains seen from an overlook high above a sweeping, green floor spotted with bluffs and buttes at Daniels Park on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. Mountains spanning from Pikes Peak to Longs Peak to Wyoming’s Mummy Range can be seen from different vistas lining Daniels Park Road. (Parker Seibold, The Gazette)
A trail parallels the road through the park, with several spurs leading to overlooks.
The common starting place is the Shelter House, a picnic area and trailhead. At last visit, we followed the trail north for a little more than a mile and turned back where Daniels Park Road meets Grigs Road.
For a longer trek, you could follow Grigs Road and cross for the gate marking the East/West Trail. Going west on that trail to the Grigs Road trailhead totals a round trip close to 5 1/2 miles.
Getting there: Shelter House parking lot at 8682 N. Daniels Park Road, Sedalia.
FYI: Park open hour before sunrise and hour after sunset. Dogs on leash.
SETH BOSTER, THE GAZETTE
Pedestrians watch as bison graze Daniels Park on July 11, 2023. (Parker Seibold, The Gazette)
