HomeColoradoLafayette › Coal Creek Trail - Lafayette, CO

Coal Creek Trail - Lafayette, CO

4.6 ★★★★★ 134 Google reviews · Running trail in Lafayette, Colorado · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Natural surface
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Open 24 hours

Confirmed from Coal Creek Trail - Lafayette, CO'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.

Natural surfaceOpen 24hScenicDog-friendlyStroller / ADAFlat & fastRestroomsTrailhead parking

Fairly flat bike and hiking trail with multiple uses and views of the Colorado area.

What runners say about Coal Creek Trail - Lafayette, CO

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (134 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 6 mentions

“Nice little scenic walk; a little bit far from residential areas, but there are large parking lots nearby.”

Ah, amazing trail. Wonderful views. Although some bikers can use a reminder to chill. They speed through like they’re training to go pro even though it’s a family oriented trail with clumsy 5-year-olds. This trail feels so reclusive yet it’s connected to all the wonderful shops and eatery in Lafayette.

★★★★★ — Abigail , Aug 2022

Nice little scenic walk; a little bit far from residential areas, but there are large parking lots nearby. Good for a short day hike and / or bike, not so great for finding oranges hidden among the reeds and lofty soutterrains.

★★★★★ — February , Apr 2019

My backyard trail. Always on it, on thw Anthem side. Safe and fun. You might even find some large pets walking :-)

★★★★★ — Nagesh , Jul 2017

Great trail other than the extraordinary amount of lazy e-bikers jetting through as if riding a motorcycle Grand Prix. Seriously, getting dusted 10 + times while walking is really annoying. Buy a regular bike and use your quads you lazy bums. Watch out for snakes.

★★★★★ — Bison , Aug 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 134 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.

🏞️ Scenic views 8 mentions

“Nice little scenic walk; a little bit far from residential areas, but there are large parking lots nearby.”

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Flat & fast 3 mentions

“Great tree lined pretty flat trail along creek!”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 3 mentions

“Nice little scenic walk; a little bit far from residential areas, but there are large parking lots nearby.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack

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🐕 Dog-friendly

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🚻 Restrooms

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Stroller / ADA accessible

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Plan your run at Coal Creek Trail - Lafayette, CO

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
  • SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
  • 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 — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
  • Websitebouldercounty.org
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Open 24 hours
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

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 Coal Creek Trail - Lafayette, CO

Lafayette, Colorado

Get directions

Running trails near Lafayette

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

Public Road Trailhead

4.5 ★★★★★ 133 reviews

Lafayette, CO

Scenic

Biker- and runner-friendly trail that runs along Coal Creek and offers views from hilltops.

under a mile away

Rock Creek Open Space

4.8 ★★★★★ 9 reviews

Lafayette, CO

under a mile away

Coal Creek Corridor Open Space

4.8 ★★★★★ 96 reviews

Lafayette, CO

ShadedScenicDog-friendly

Park offering kid-friendly walking and biking trails, plus abundant wildlife.

under a mile away

Aquarius Trailhead, Louisville

4.7 ★★★★★ 48 reviews

Louisville, CO

ScenicDog-friendly

Kid-friendly hiking area with mountain views and opportunities to see horses and prairie dogs.

1.4 miles away

Waneka Lake Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,741 reviews

Lafayette, CO

1.2 miLoopScenicDog-friendly

Tree-dotted park with a small lake offering paddle boats, fishing & trails for bird-watching & jogs.

1.6 miles away

Flagg Park

4.1 ★★★★☆ 37 reviews

Lafayette, CO

Crushed gravelShadedScenicDog-friendly

Park with a public restroom and kid-friendly hikes, along with a creek.

1.7 miles away

All running trails in Lafayette, 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.