Bodies of water aren’t all that common across Colorado Springs. So one might be surprised by a short hike or bike ride granting two reservoirs.

They are tucked in the city’s southwest foothills, between North Cheyenne Cañon Park and Stratton Open Space: Gold Camp and South Suburban reservoirs. South Suburban Reservoir is the popular spot for dogs that was closed for repairs in the spring — still closed during this trip, but still scenic along the way.

Gold Camp Reservoir hides above the green water tank seen along the road into North Cheyenne Cañon. That’s where we started from, that small, looping parking lot below the tank.

The well-marked Chamberlain Trail gently rises through pine and oak. Veer right to continue up to where the trees clear, where the canyon’s rocky promontories emerge into view with the hulking Cheyenne Mountain.

The fenced-in Gold Camp Reservoir joins the view in less than a mile. The trail continues on the water’s upper outskirts and returns to the taller forest and a junction. Chamberlain Trail continues narrowly straight, north, to more vistas of Cheyenne Mountain and its craggy shoulders backdropping the reservoir.

At 1.2 miles, at the next junction meeting the terminus of the bike-only Chutes Trail, we stayed straight again. The next trail sign points right for Ridge Trail and to the next reservoir.

Ridge Trail heads through a meadow and soon meets a “Y”; it’s right and uphill for South Suburban Reservoir, which remained drained recently. It could be filled again by the spring of 2025 depending on construction progress.

We continued back the way we came, following signs back to the Chamberlain trailhead.

Trip log: 3 miles round trip (out and back), 412 feet elevation gain

Getting there: From the Starsmore Visitor and Nature Center at the entrance to North Cheyenne Cañon Park (2120 S. Cheyenne Canon Road), the loop parking lot for the Chamberlain trailhead is about a quarter-mile up the road. Look for the green water tank.

FYI: Park open 5 a.m.-10 p.m. May-October; 5 a.m.-9 p.m. November-April. Multi-use, nonmotorized trail. Dogs on leash.

SETH BOSTER, THE GAZETTE