High Line Canal (Douglas County portion)

While rarely used as a canal these days, the extensive bike trails and beautiful riparian habitat make this woodland corridor the perfect place to combine a morning jog or bike ride with some birding. During migration, look for various songbird migrants, and during summer, check for Lazuli Bunting, Yellow-breasted Chat, Spotted Towhee, Great Horned Owl, and more.

You can read about author Robert Michael Pyle’s adventures growing up along the High Line Canal in The Thunder Tree: Lessons from an Urban Wildland.

Restrictions: Watch for bicycles

County: Douglas

Directions: Trailheads with parking can be found at the Platte Canyon Reservoir in Waterton Canyon (along Waterton Rd, south of the Waterton Canyon parking lot), on Roxborough Park Rd (go south on Highway 85 for 4 miles to Titan Rd. Turn west on Titan Rd. for 2 miles to Roxborough Park Rd. Go north on Roxborough Park Rd. for 1.5 miles. The trailhead is on the east side of the road) and at Flying B Park at Plaza Drive and Mill Vista Road.

Alternate Directions: From C-470: Go south on Highway 85 for 4 miles to Titan Rd. Turn west on Titan Rd. for 2 miles to Roxborough Park Rd. Go north on Roxborough Park Rd. for 1.5 miles. The trailhead is on the east side of the road.

Dates of Access: Open all year
Hours: Daylight hours
Ownership: Municipal
Admission or Fees: Free

Parking: Varied

Lodging: Hotels in Littleton

Handicapped Access: Limited

Latitude: 39.562474
Longitude: -105.025785

Contact Information

Denver Water: https://www.denverwater.org/recreation/high-line-canal

Visit the Website for High Line Canal (Douglas County portion) »

Additional Resources

Learn more about birds reported at this location at eBird:
https://ebird.org/hotspot/L4491835