Roxborough State Park is a Colorado Parks and Wildlife gem southwest of Denver, where tilted red sandstone fins tower over about 3,400 acres of foothills, meadows and oak scrub.

The park’s signature spires belong to the Fountain Formation, red sandstone that formed more than 300 million years ago from the eroding Ancestral Rocky Mountains and now stands at roughly a sixty-degree angle. Younger layers — the Lyons, Lykins and Morrison formations — tell the rest of a story that spans more than 1.2 billion years of geologic history. Roxborough was recognized as a National Natural Landmark in 1980, designated a National Archaeological District in 1983 and opened to the public on May 15, 1987. It is also a state natural area, an Audubon Important Bird Area and a Leave No Trace Gold Standard Site, with 145 bird species and wildlife ranging from mule deer to black bears.

About 15 miles of trails range from easy walks to a summit climb. The Fountain Valley Trail loops past the most famous rock fins and the Lyons Overlook, the Willow Creek Trail offers a gentle nature walk, and the Carpenter Peak Trail climbs to big views over the Front Range and the plains. The park is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and the office and visitor center are open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. A CPW daily vehicle pass is required (about $10–$15 for Colorado vehicles and more for out-of-state plates), or $4 for an individual pass. Pets are not allowed, which keeps wildlife wild and trails quiet. From Denver, take Santa Fe Drive (U.S. 85) south to Titan Road, follow it as it becomes North Rampart Range Road, then turn left on Roxborough Park Road and right on East Roxborough Drive.

Check current hours, passes and trail conditions on the Roxborough State Park page from Colorado Parks and Wildlife.