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Pelican Ponds Open Space
4.4 ★★★★☆ 353 Google reviews · Running trail in Thornton, Colorado · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Pelican Ponds Open Space'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.
200-acre parkland offering scenic walking trails, a pond, indigenous birds & a fishing dock.
What runners say about Pelican Ponds Open Space
“Love this place close to home and beautiful to go for a walk, run or whatever activities you feel like doing!”
I love taking my dog here for a good walk. It's rarely crowded, lots of nice walking paths and it's kept clean. Plus there's a small playground area for the kids.
One of my favorite places to take a walk or even a bike ride with my four legged buddy. I've never seen it busy here . There is lots, and lots of open space to roam.
Fun park, mostly for smaller kiddos in my opinion. I have a 3 year old and he loved it! Fun swings for all ages. Neat use of huge logs and boulders for climbing, sitting, etc. Great open space for playing tag, nice trails for walking.
Nice easy nature right outside Denver. Trail systems perfect for long walk or just quick spin around pond. Lots of bird wildlife early AM
Trail conditions & character
“Dogs need to be on a leash but we were able to find places for them to swim without bothering anyone.”
“The parking lot at the northern end was a bit cramped, but there were plenty of spots available.”
“Love this place close to home and beautiful to go for a walk, run or whatever activities you feel like doing!”
“The one thing that we need around that I didn't see is water fountains.”
Plan your run at Pelican Ponds Open Space
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- 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, water — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websiteadcogov.org
- Phone+1 303-637-8000
- 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 |
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