Nearest city Littleton, Colorado Designated 1980 Phone +1 303-973-3959 | Governing body Colorado State Parks Area 13.51 km² Established 1975 | |
 | ||
Location Douglas County, Colorado, USA Address 4751 Roxborough Dr, Littleton, CO 80125, USA Hours Open today · 8AM–5PMThursday8AM–5PMFriday8AM–5PMSaturday8AM–5PMSunday8AM–5PMMonday8AM–5PMTuesday8AM–5PMWednesday8AM–5PMSuggest an edit Similar Castlewood Canyon State Park, Rocky Mountains, Golden Gate Canyon S, Barr Lake State Park, Cherry Creek State Park | ||
Roxborough State Park is a state park of Colorado, United States, known for dramatic red sandstone formations. Located in Douglas County 20 miles (32 km) south of Denver, Colorado, the 3,339-acre (13.51 km2) park was established in 1975. In 1980 it was recognized as a National Natural Landmark.
Contents
GeographyEdit
Roxborough State Park, a 3,339-acre (13.51 km2) Colorado State Park, is known for dramatic red sandstone formations. Located in Douglas County 25 miles (40 km) south of Denver, Colorado. In 1980 it was recognized as a National Natural Landmark because of the number of ecological systems and geological formations. It is also a State Historic Site and National Cultural District because of the number of archaeological sites.
GeologyEdit
Roxborough State Park is a designated Colorado Natural Area and National Natural Landmark for its 300-million-year-old red sandstone Fountain Formation that tilt at a 60 degree angle. The park includes great examples of exposed Precambrian to Late Mesozoic hogback, monolithic and spire formations from the Permian, Pennsylvanian and Cretaceous age. Carpenter Peak's exposed granite is from Precambrian era.
Flora and faunaEdit
The park consists of forests of ponderosa pine and Douglas fir, prairie land, and woodlands that support many forms of wildlife. There are 145 bird, over 50 butterfly and moth, and 11 amphibian and reptile species. Mammals commonly found in the park include black bear, coyote, deer, elk, fox, mountain lion, prairie dog, and rabbit. Sources of water include Little Willow Creek, Willow Creek and Mill Gulch. Elevations range from 5,900 to 7,280 feet (1,800 to 2,220 m).
VisitorsEdit
The park has visitors center with exhibits, a bookstore, and restrooms.
There are six hiking trails in Roxborough State Park, a network of easy to moderate trails that also connect to Douglas County trail system, Pike National Forest and Waterton Canyon trails.