The South Platte River Trail, Section by Section

Photo Credit: River North Art District

One trail, four personalities.

The South Platte River Trail is a seamless, 28-mile paved path that winds through the heart of metro Denver. You can run, walk, or bike it, and it's naturally popular with cyclists, runners, and dog walkers alike. Here's how the trail breaks down from south to north. Depending on which part of Denver you're in, the trail changes from scenic and family / dog-friendly, to fast moving and focused on bike commutes.

For our RiNo residents, we'll also included how to make the most of this trail's especially lovely areas near the River North Arts Dstrict.

1. THE MARY CARTER GREENWAY (Chatfield to Englewood)
Distance: ~8 miles
The Vibe: Pure recreation.

• A highly manicured, serene southern stretch of the trail with beautiful mountain views.
• The only part of the trail with continuous separate lanes for pedestrians and bikes.
• You'll see families feeding ducks, people tubing in the summer, and riders pulling off for a beer at Breckenridge Brewery or coffee at Nixon's.
• Named after Mary Carter, a local mayor who fought to clean up and pave the river corridor in the 1980s.
• Goes through Chatfield State Park, unincorporated Douglas County, Littleton, Columbine Valley, Englewood, and Sheridan.

2. THE COMMUTER EXPRESS (Overland to Colfax)
Distance: ~8 miles
The Vibe: Fast, flat, and utilitarian.

• This is where the path enters Denver proper, changing into into a bicycle highway for commuters.
• Unlike the southern stretch, this is a narrow, single concrete path that hugs I-25 and runs behind heavy industrial warehouses.
• Fast-moving bike traffic makes it less ideal for a casual walks with a dog.
• It shoots right past the Denver Animal Shelter (a popular trailhead parking spot) and Empower Field at Mile High (where thousands of fans walk or bike on game days).
• It lacks shade and mountain scenery, but it is completely car-free and the fastest way to bike through the middle of the city.
• Goes through Overland, Valverde, Sun Valley, and Jefferson Park

3. THE DOWNTOWN CORE (Colfax to 29th St / RiNo)
Distance: ~2.5 miles
The Vibe: High-energy city hub.

• This short, buzzy stretch marks the transition into the center of Denver.
• The most heavily trafficked section of the entire trail.
• Centers around Confluence Park, where the South Platte River meets Cherry Creek.
• Conveninently connects to the Cherry Creek Trail if you want to head towards LoDo or Capitol Hill.
• You will share the path with a vibrant mix of downtown office commuters, kayakers practicing in the river chutes, residents walking dogs, and people hanging out on the park's sandy riverbanks.
• It offers immediate, step-off access to Elitch Gardens, the Downtown Aquarium, and the shops and restaurants of the Lower Highlands (LoHi) neighborhood via nearby pedestrian bridges.
• Goes through LoDo, the Central Business District, and RiNo

4. RINO + THE NORTHERN INDUSTRIAL CORRIDOR (RiNo to Thornton)
Distance: ~10 miles
The Vibe: Gritty, evolving, and industrial.

• This section begins with a beautiful stretch on the edge of the trendy River North Art District (RiNo), near neighborhood’s art scene, shops, and some of the best dining in Denver.
  
• Once past RiNo, the trail transitions out of the city and enters Denver's heavy industrial heartland, tracking past oil refineries, water treatment plants, and gravel pits.
• Can feel exposed to the elements due to a lack of shade.
• While it lacks the manicured beauty of the south, it is highly valued by long-distance cyclists who use it to connect all the way up to Thornton and the Clear Creek Trail.
• Goes through RiNo, Commerce City, Twin Lakes, Thornton, and Brighton.

Good to Know

• The 15 MPH Rule: Denver enforces a 15 mph speed limit across the entire trail system. While Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are completely legal, you need to tone down the speed and use a bell or a vocal warning ("on your left") when passing, especially through the crowded downtown bottlenecks. Class 3 e-bikes are not allowed.
• Possible Construction Detours: The city is currently executing a massive, multi-year upgrade to the trail infrastructure. Before you head out for a 20-mile ride, check the Denver Trail Detours page.
• The "South Platte Smell": Because the northern industrial stretch runs past water treatment facilities and oil refineries, summer days can get "fragrant." Check the wind direction if you have a sensitive nose.
• Watch Out for the Geese: The river is a wildlife corridor, which means sections of the concrete path are routinely taken over by Canada geese. Be mindful of slick pavement (and defensive geese) during nesting seasons.
• Sunscreen is Non-Negotiable: Shade is a luxury on this trail. While the southern Mary Carter stretch has decent tree cover, other sections leave you pretty exposed to the elements.
• Safety in Numbers: The trail is highly active during daylight commuting hours and weekends. However, because the industrial stretches can feel incredibly desolate early in the morning or after dark, it’s best to ride with a buddy or stick strictly to daytime hours.

If You're in RiNo...

Living in the River North Art District means you are sitting right at the intersection of Denver's industrial past and its modern, artsy present:

For casual rides and strolls

• Enjoy the charming ambiance of Arkins Promenade (often called the RiNo Promenade) and RiNo Art Park (located between 35th and 38th Avenues), where the neighborhood converted an old industrial street right next to the main trail into a creative, 4-block linear park. It features a stunning, 400-foot long elevated wooden walkway that lifts pedestrians 16 feet up into the tree canopy for river views.
• While the elevated wooden walkway is pedestrian-only, the wide paved ground-level plaza is designed for both casual biking and walking, running directly parallel to the main South Platte River Trail.
• This pocket is highly active and community-focused. On any given evening, you’ll see locals walking dogs, families playing, and people hanging out near the branch library and public art gallery built into the park.

For commuters

• If you work downtown or just want to skip traffic, the trail is a massive asset. You can hop on at 31st or 38th Street and bike straight down the riverfront.
• It is a completely car-free, direct shot that connects you right into downtown in about 5 to 10 minutes.
• From there, you hit the Confluence Park hub where you can immediately peel off into LoDo or jump onto the Cherry Creek Trail to head toward the Central Business District and Cap Hill.

For a serious workout

• If you are a long-distance cyclist, a marathon trainer, or riding an e-bike, you'll want to head north (heading south means commuting bottlenecks).
• The moment you pass the neighborhood boundary, the parks and murals instantly vanish, replaced by oil refineries, gravel pits, and open industrial spaces.
• While lacking in shade and scenery, there are virtually no pedestrians, stop signs, or cross-streets. It is a wide-open concrete runway where you can put your head down and hammer out fast, uninterrupted miles all the way to Thornton.

Helpful Resources & Maps

• City of Denver Bike Map: The official, direct portal hosted by Denver's Department of Transportation and Infrastructure where you can instantly download the latest complete PDF bike map of the city.
• Mary Carter Greenway Trail Info: Heading south out of the city? Check the South Suburban Parks and Recreation site for specific maps, park rules, and amenities along the Littleton and Chatfield stretches.
• Adams County Parks & Open Space (North): The official home base for the northernmost section of the trail, providing maps and trailhead details as the path rolls past RiNo, through Thornton, and into Adams County.
• DRCOG Interactive Regional Bike Map: Maintained by the Denver Regional Council of Governments, this is the gold standard for mapping out a seamless ride. It shows exactly where off-street trails connect with low-stress city bike lanes.

Forge Your Path

Located in the heart of RiNo near to the 38th and Blake A-line, modern new apartments at Forge blend creative design with a fantastic suite of amenities (fitness, roof deck, and more). Contact us to explore move-in specials or to schedule a tour.