HomeColoradoHighlands Ranch › Big Dry Creek Park

Big Dry Creek Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 189 Google reviews · Running trail in Highlands Ranch, Colorado · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Big Dry Creek Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

RestroomsWaterTrailhead parking

Park with a playground, basketball court, and trails, plus picnic areas.

What runners say about Big Dry Creek Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (189 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 6 mentions

“Big Dry Creek Park is a peaceful and scenic spot with well-maintained trails, open spaces, and plenty of wildlife to enjoy.”

We love this park! Super fun for the littles, great walking trail nearby, big field to play in too. Always a fun time!

★★★★★ — Aspen , May 2025

This was a really great day to head to the park and picnic. There were kids running and playing and tumbling and playing hacky sack. All the moms were walking and getting exercise and the dads were talking about the NFL draft. All in all it was a spectacular day in such a clean and close proximity park.

★★★★★ — Debbie , Apr 2018

We love this park. Easy access from any of the surrounding neighborhoods. There is a small parking lot, but it fills quickly if there is a soccer match. Play equipment for the kids is nice, basketball court could use a resurface, paved trails are great.

★★★★★ — Andrew , May 2018

This is a great park with lots of connected trails, a basketball court, playground and big open field. Usually get busy when warm and on weekends.

★★★★★ — Byron , Mar 2021

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 189 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🅿️ Trailhead parking 6 mentions

“Basketball court Picnic tables and shelters Children's playground area Restroom Mostly for neighborhood though there is a small parking area and some on street parking”

More trails like this →

🚻 Restrooms 5 mentions

“Basketball court Picnic tables and shelters Children's playground area Restroom Mostly for neighborhood though there is a small parking area and some on street parking”

More trails like this →

🚰 Water fountains 3 mentions

“Picnic benches that are covered, restroom that is open all year long, playground, basket ball court, water fountain with bowl for your dog to take a drink.”

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Big Dry Creek Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
  • Websitehighlandsranch.org
  • Phone(303) 791-0430

Hours

Monday 5 AM–11 PM
Tuesday 5 AM–11 PM
Wednesday 5 AM–11 PM
Thursday 5 AM–11 PM
Friday 5 AM–11 PM
Saturday 5 AM–11 PM
Sunday 5 AM–11 PM

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Big Dry Creek Park

9898 Atherton Way, Highlands Ranch, CO 80130

Get directions

Running trails near Highlands Ranch

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Highland Heritage Regional Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 350 reviews

Highlands Ranch, CO

PavedScenicDog-friendly

92-acre park with 3+ miles of trails, 10 soccer/football fields & an off-leash area for dogs.

under a mile away

Wildcat Ridge Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 62 reviews

Lone Tree, CO

2 miDog-friendly

Park featuring a sledding hill in winter, plus paths and open spaces.

under a mile away

Cheese Ranch Historic & Natural Area

4.6 ★★★★★ 95 reviews

Highlands Ranch, CO

MixedScenicDog-friendly

Open area with a fishing pond, plus kid-friendly trails, duck feedings, a history on plaques, community gardens and a windmill.

under a mile away

Wildcat Mountain

3.7 ★★★★☆ 6 reviews

Lone Tree, CO

1.9 miles away

Tepe Overlook

4.6 ★★★★★ 64 reviews

Lone Tree, CO

5 miLoopNatural surfaceScenic

Undeveloped area offering hiking trails with mountain and city views as well as sunsets and wildlife sightings.

2.1 miles away

Bluffs Regional Park Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,185 reviews

Lone Tree, CO

2.7 miLoopNatural surfaceScenic

Popular 2.7-mi. loop trail offering hikers & runners views of Denver, the Front Range & wildlife.

2.2 miles away

All running trails in Highlands Ranch, CO →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.