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Public Road Trailhead
4.5 ★★★★★ 133 Google reviews · Running trail in Lafayette, Colorado · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Public Road Trailhead'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.
Biker- and runner-friendly trail that runs along Coal Creek and offers views from hilltops.
What runners say about Public Road Trailhead
“One of the most beautiful trailheads in the Lafayette area, this is a particularly picturesque section of the Coal Creek Trail.”
This is a nice trail. It's easy to access in town but still removed from the road enough to get some great scenery. It's pretty well trafficked but doesn't feel overcrowded.
I've walked this trail since a young child. Always a great way to calm the thoughts
Really pretty, fun, and desolate on certain areas of the trail. The creek seems polluted by the industrial facilities on the sides of it and the air can smell quite unhealthy some days. But overall had fun biking this trailhead
This is the best access to the Coal Creek Trail in Lafayette. It has ample parking and a bathroom. Sometimes we'll bring the family here and just walk down the stream a little ways and let the kids swim.
Trail conditions & character
“One of the most beautiful trailheads in the Lafayette area, this is a particularly picturesque section of the Coal Creek Trail.”
“My SO was admitted to Good Sam's and security wouldn't let me stay overnight in the hospital parking lot.”
“Beautiful nature rrail, mostly flat, cool playground and creekside.”
Plan your run at Public Road Trailhead
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 — reported by runners
- Websitelafayetteco.gov
- Phone(303) 438-2616
Hours
| Monday | 4 AM–10 PM |
| Tuesday | 4 AM–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 4 AM–10 PM |
| Thursday | 4 AM–10 PM |
| Friday | 4 AM–10 PM |
| Saturday | 4 AM–10 PM |
| Sunday | 4 AM–10 PM |
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.
Coal Creek Trail - Lafayette, CO
4.6 ★★★★★ 134 reviews
Fairly flat bike and hiking trail with multiple uses and views of the Colorado area.
Coal Creek Corridor Open Space
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Park offering kid-friendly walking and biking trails, plus abundant wildlife.
Rock Creek Open Space
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Aquarius Trailhead, Louisville
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Kid-friendly hiking area with mountain views and opportunities to see horses and prairie dogs.
Waneka Lake Park
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Tree-dotted park with a small lake offering paddle boats, fishing & trails for bird-watching & jogs.
Flagg Park
4.1 ★★★★☆ 37 reviews
Park with a public restroom and kid-friendly hikes, along with a creek.