Hiking Colorado : Peaceful Dawson Butte Ranch Trail

Beautiful, moderate hike, Dawson Butte Ranch Open Space Trail in the late summer is the perfect place to go on the weekends or after work.

Which Hiker Do I Write For

I tailor my hiking reviews to over 50 hikers. This is not to say the hike will be easy or short, older hikers are very capable, I’ve seen 70 year old hikers that can out hike most people. But what I am putting out there is special considerations for our older bodies.

You might notice I have a trail difficulty rating number listed below, please see my Hiker Resource Page to see how I come to this rating.

Basic Trail Information for Dawson Butte Ranch Trail

Trail Name : Dawson Butte Ranch Open Space Trail
Location : Colorado. Nearest large city is Denver, 45 min drive north
Length : 5 miles
Difficulty : 62 moderate
Duration : 1.5 to 2 hours
Elevation Gain : 380
Type of Trail : loop
Who I Recommend this to : Most hikers. The trail is relatively flat with a slight elevation gain.
What season did I go : Spring, summer, and fall. Winter can have snow on the trail.
Gear Recommendations : hat and sunblock, some of the trail is exposed.
Special Requirements : none. Parking is free and no permits needed. The lot can fill so get there early.
Must see feature : views

Location of Dawson Butte Ranch Open Space Trail

For locals this is a weekend and after work favorite. For visitors to the area this open space trail offers less crowds and easy access to hiking than the crowded hikes in the Rockies.

My Experience on Dawson Butte Ranch Trail

A Local Colorado Hike is Just What I Needed

I’ve been cooped up inside in the Arizona desert for the last 2 months. The heat has been extremely unbearable night and day so needless to say, I’m very ready to hit the trail.

Three days after arriving in Colorado, Steph and I headed to Dawson Butte Ranch Open Space. I was exhausted from packing and travel but there’s nothing like fresh air and open spaces to recharge you mentally and physically!

I’m glad she chose a local hike since traveling up to the Rockies may have been too much for me.

Dawson Butte Ranch Open Space in Colorado Late Summer

We arrived early in the morning and on a weekday since Steph said this locally loved hike can get crowded. As we began our hike I can see why – it’s beautiful!

This was a late summer hike so the flowers were dying off and there was a slight chill in the air that seemed to be yearning for autumn yet very few plants were showing signs of changing colors. Bummer, I was hoping to see that this year!

Hiking the 5 mile outer loop I noticed lots of oak shrubs growing from the wet, recently rained on ground. It seemed all the oak were growing small acorns, how cool!

We hiked for a couple of hours enjoying the cool shade of the trees, deep discussion and the occasional grazing deer.

Be sure to catch it all in my YouTube video below.

Helpful Takeaways

Trekking poles – to help save your knees on any hike
Sun umbrella, hat and/or sun block – there are long sections exposed to sun
Binoculars for the views and any bird watching
Bring plenty of water – there is none at the location
Watch for horse – hikers be sure to yield to horses.

Watch my hike of Dawson Butte Ranch Trail on Instagram and follow for more hikes and adventures!

Online Resources for this Trail

Please Leave No Trace when enjoying the outdoors
Douglas County Colorado page for Dawson Butte Ranch Trail
Alltrails Dawson Butte Ranch Open Space Trail

What To Do In the Area Before or After Your Hike

Bring lunch. There are picnic tables in the park to enjoy a lunch after your hike
Enjoy breakfast or lunch at the local favorite Castle Cafe

FAQ About Dawson Butte Ranch Open Space Trail

When is the best time to hike Dawson Butte Ranch Trail?

Best overall: summer and fall if you want wildflowers, open meadow views, and generally easier footing. One family/outdoor guide specifically says it’s best in summer and fall. The trail is also considered popular year-round because it has a good mix of sun and shade, so spring and even winter can still be good depending on conditions. In winter, parts can be snow-packed, so traction or snowshoes may help.

Is the trail dog friendly?

Yes — dogs are allowed, but they must be on a leash. The official Douglas County page says “Pets are allowed on leashes.” Multiple trail references also list it as pet-friendly / dogs allowed on leash.

Is there drinking water there?

No. There is no drinking water available on the trail. Bring plenty of drinking water for the 5 mile loop.

What is the terrain like at Dawson Butte Ranch Trail?

The terrain is generally described as:
Easy to moderate overall
Gently rolling / gradual elevation changes
Mostly dirt, unpaved trail
A mix of forested sections and open meadows
Some sandy areas
Shared use with horses, so expect horse tracks and possibly rougher spots in places.