Best Times to Hit the Trails
The Ridge to Rivers Trail System offers a variety of trail experiences for all kinds of users. Our trail team is often asked about peak use times and how to beat the crowds, especially in popular reserves. Here are some observations and recommendations for people who are planning their hike or ride seasonally or based on an area's popularity:
Summer Trail Use
During these months morning from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. is the best time to hit the trail when temperatures are the coolest.
Winter Trail Use
Be cautious as conditions can vary across the system based on moisture, snowfall and other weather. Peak use times vary based on moisture content in the soil, but often earlier use is better if the trails are frozen.
Spring and Fall Use
These are the busiest seasons on the trails! The busiest time periods with highest use occurs in the mornings until 9 a.m., from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. over lunchtime, and from 5 p.m. to dark.
Keep in mind weekends are always busier on the trails than weekdays. However, late afternoon and early evening is generally less busy on the weekends.
Pro Tip
Friday afternoon/early evening is a great time to be on the trails - even the busiest Ridge to Rivers trails are far less crowded during this time!
Busy Byways
The following trails and areas are consistently observed as the busiest, especially during the above mentioned time periods:
- Camel's Back area
- Lower Hulls Gulch Reserve trails
- Hulls Gulch Area trails (Kestrel, Red Cliffs, Crestline, Sidewinder, and Lower Hulls trails)
- Lower Military Reserve trails (Shane's, Bucktail, Two Point trails)
- Table Rock Trail #15
- Seamans Gulch area trails, especially in the morning hours
- Hillside to Hollow Trails, especially in the the Harrison Hollow area
- Dry Creek Trail on weekends is very busy, much more so than during the week
Recommendations to beat the crowds during busy trail use times:
- Polecat Reserve (these trails are still busy, but don't seem like it due to the one-way special management strategy in place on the main loop trail)
- Veterans, Big Springs, REI Connection, and Rabbit Run trails are nice alternatives to the Seamans Gulch trails
- Rocky Canyon area trails are generally less crowded during the week (Three Bears, Five Mile Gulch, Orchard Gulch, Watchman trails)
- Chukar Butte Trail from Hidden Springs
- Hawkins Loop at Hawkins Range Reserve
- The upper elevation trails - Eastside and Stack Rock trails specifically, although the latter can also get quite busy on weekends
- Utilize Tram Trail and Table Rock Quarry Trail for far less crowded Table Rock experiences