SAND CREEK REGIONAL GREENWAY MAPS AND INFORMATION

The Sand Creek Regional Greenway (SCRG) is a nearly 13-mile public trail and natural area located in the northeast metro area linking Commerce City, Denver, and Aurora.

The trail begins at the Triple Creek Trailhead in Aurora then meanders along Sand Creek until the trail ends at the Platte River confluence in Commerce City.

The Sand Creek Regional Greenway is open every day from sunup to sundown. All non-motorized uses of the trail are welcome: bicycling, horseback riding, walking, running, and pets on leashes.

The trail is paved in Commerce City and Denver and a combination of pavement and soft surface/gravel in Aurora. We advise bikers who ride the Aurora section of the trail to use mountain bikes (with thick tires) and to carry a flat tire repair kit at all times. 

Sand Creek Regional Greenway Trailheads

From east to west, the trail begins in Aurora, continues through Denver, and concludes in Commerce City. It’s easy to get to the Sand Creek Regional Greenway- whether you use connecting trails, or if you’re driving from farther away.

There are currently seven parking areas that are accessible to the Greenway.

The directions below, which are organized by city, will give you basic information on each portion of the trail.

Make sure to check our Projects and Detour page for up-to-date information about trail detours and closures before heading out on the Greenway.

Trail Maps

  • All 13-miles map This is our newest version of our trail map, and it is continuously being improved! We will upload segment maps below soon!

The Sand Creek Regional Greenway is 13-miles connecting Aurora, Denver, and Commerce City. You can use the map provided below to find trailheads, various access points, and different amenities along the trail. Please note this map does not reflect possible detours and construction on the trail.

Aurora

  • Triple Creek Trailhead is Sand Creek’s most Eastern terminus. It can only be accessed if heading east on Colfax Ave. This trailhead has a restroom, multiple ADA compliant parking spaces, and a large portion reserved for horse trailers.

    Address: 18000 E. Colfax Ave. Aurora, 80011

  • Address: 16002 Smith Rd. Aurora, CO, 80011

    At the intersection of Chambers and Smith Road, turn east on Smith Road. Drive for 1/2 mile and turn right on Laredo Street. Follow the road around to the right, and park in the Morrison Nature Center parking lot. Make sure to pop into the nature center, which is filled with maps, educational displays, and is run by very knowledgeable Aurora naturalists. To connect to the Sand Creek Regional Greenway, follow the path that leads from the parking area about 1/2 mile to the Greenway trail. There are bathrooms and water at the nature center, which is open Wednesday-Sunday. Click here for more information about the Morrison Nature Center.

    Visit Site

  • Address: 2700 N. Peoria St. Aurora, CO 80011 (We suggest using Google Maps)

    Entrance to both parking lots is on Fitzsimons Parkway.

    This beautiful park is located at the intersection of Peoria Street and Fitzsimons Parkway. The large parking lot closest to Peoria has ADA approved parking spots, an ADA approved restroom, and a large picnic pavilion. The smaller parking lot, located further east on Fitzsimons also has a shade structure. The park contains a loop of paths that wind around Sand Creek, with multiple ponds, a playground, and a nature play area. To access the Greenway head east/west, look for directional signage to point you in the right direction. ADA approved bathrooms available in parking lot closest to Peoria.

Trail Surface: Soft surface/crushed fine gravel in most portions. If biking, it s advised to use a bike with thick tires.  Be careful with skinny road bike tires and consider carrying a tire patch kit.

Snow Removal: Portions of the trail in Aurora are not paved, and therefore some places may not be plowed after snowstorms. Please report any problems to us as soon as possible so we may try to solve them.

Denver

  • Address: 11255 E. MLK Jr. Blvd, Denver, CO 80238

    The Bluff Lake Nature Center is a 123-acre wildlife preserve located at 3400 Havana Way in northeast Denver. The Sand Creek Regional Greenway trail runs just outside the nature center’s fence. The nature center and parking lot is open sunset to sundown- after this time, it is locked. Make sure to enjoy the nature center, which has several miles of trails as well as nature programs for kids. No bikes or dogs, please. A porta potty is available for public use. Click here for more information about Bluff Lake Nature Center.

    Visit Site

  • Address: 9450 Smith Rd, Denver, CO 80238 (must use Google Maps)

    The Smith Road Trailhead is not well signed, and the approach to the trailhead may “feel wrong”.

    To reach it by car, turn west onto Smith Road from Havana. You’ll pass the Urban Farm on the left, and it feels as if you’re in “No Man’s Land,” but rest assured, you’ll get there. You’ll see Smith Road blocked off, but there’s a turn to the left into a large parking lot recently redone in 2022 with two ADA parking spaces.

    No water or bathrooms.

Trail surface: Paved

Snow Removal: Trail is plowed after snow storms

Commerce City

  • Address: 6102 E. 52nd Ave. Commerce City 80022 (use Google Maps for accurate location)

    Go to the intersection of E. 52nd Avenue and Ivy Street in Commerce City. Turn onto E. 52nd Avenue, and this will dead-end into a parking lot in a few hundred feet. The Commerce City Wetland Park has a bathroom, picnic areas, trash/recycling cans, and one ADA dedicated parking space. The bathroom is closed for the majority of the year.

  • Address: 49000 Sandcreek Dr. Commerce City, 80022

    Park at the paved trailhead at the intersection of Sand Creek Drive and E. 56th Avenue. This is just south of the Vasquez Boulevard exit off of I-270. No bathrooms or water. The parking lot has two ADA dedicated parking spaces

    No water or bathrooms.

Trail surface: Paved

Snow Removal: Trail is plowed after snow storms

Hours and Rules

Hours

Open year-round from sunrise to sunset

Greenway Rules

  • Share the trail and be courteous to others.

  • Yield to slower traffic, flowing traffic, and maintenance vehicles.

  • When stopping, move off the trail.

  • Stay to the right, except when passing.

  • Clearly announce your approach when passing.

  • Keep pets on leashes and clean up after them.

  • Keep the trail clean and free of litter.

The following are prohibited

  • Weapons of any sort, including paintball guns

  • Construction of obstacles and bike courses

  • All Drugs and certain types of alcoholic beverages

  • Swimming

  • Tubing and/or boating