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  Waterton Canyon Closure Extended to 2012

"A visual feast of stunning
shapes and colors."

-- Fredrik Naess, Conifer

Nestled between striking red stone Fountain/Lyon geological formations, South Valley Park provides visitors with stunning landscapes and a momentary retreat from the neighboring urban tempo.

South Valley Park is a 909 acre park with approximately 6.8 miles of natural surface trails and 1.2 miles of hard surface trails. Recreational activities include picnicking, hiking, biking, horseback riding and of course, wildlife viewing. Within the red rock outcroppings on the east side of the park, trail use is restricted to the signed trails (see Park Map.) This park does include a Hiker Only trail.

Natural Resources
This park is managed to preserve the area's habitat and cultural resources, including the protection of wildlife and natural features.  Sandstone outcroppings are easily eroded, climbing is prohibited.

Sensitive areas protect nest sites and fawning areas and seasonal closures allow elk and mule deer access to critical range.  Public access to these areas is limited to Jefferson County Open Space sponsored interpretive programs and permitted research projects.

History
The geology of South Valley Park is wonderful!  South Valley's rock spires and outcroppings of Fountain and Lyons formations provided critical shelter for early native Americans and creates a beautiful and dramatic back-ground for all of us who visit the park today.

For over 10,000 years, hunter-gatherers migrated through the Front Range area, wintering in the Hogback Valley of Southeastern Jefferson County. There is evidence that South Valley was occupied by hunter-gatherers 7,500 years before the Pyramids of Egypt were built!

Later in Time...
Numerous Anglo settlers owned the land before the early nineteen hundreds. In 1913, John Shaffer migrated to Colorado, purchased property in the area and named it after his two sons, Kent and Carroll (Ken-Caryl). In 1926, Shaffer purchased the "south ranch" from Frank Mann, the original owner. The property continued to change ownership until 1997 when Martin Marietta (now Lockheed-Martin) and Colrad sold 909 acres to Open Space.

Getting There
Main Trailhead  From the metro area, travel south on C-470 and exit westbound on Ken Caryl Avenue. Turn left onto South Valley Road to the park's north parking area. South Trailhead 12399 Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton CO 80127 Alternately, from South Platte Canyon Road (S. Wadsworth and C-470) take Deer Creek Canyon Road west to the smaller, south parking area.

It is your responsibility to know and obey Open Space rules and regulations.  Users assume liability for all risks associated with visiting this Open Space area.  Responsible use protects this resource for all citizens of Jefferson County.

Last Modified: Dec 30, 2011 02:35 PM