LITTLETON, Colo. — April 22, 2024 — Weekday access to Waterton Canyon will be closed from Monday, April 29, through Friday, May 10, for Denver Water’s annual dust mitigation project. Neither the parking lot at the canyon's entrance nor the canyon will be accessible during this time. Waterton Canyon will remain open on Saturday, May 4, and Sunday, May 5, for weekend recreation.

As a working facility, there are times when operations and maintenance projects create unsafe conditions for the public, prompting us to close trail access. Denver Water performs maintenance projects like this one to provide for a better experience throughout the canyon by creating optimal conditions for a family-friendly hiking and biking experience.

“Waterton Canyon is an extremely popular recreation destination, and we recognize that the two-week, weekday closure is an inconvenience,” said Brandon Ransom, manager of recreation for Denver Water. “By taking the time to reduce the dust early in the season, we’ll be able to provide a better experience for hikers, bikers and runners throughout the rest of the summer.”

Hikers and bikers on the Colorado Trail should seek alternative access points.

For more on why Waterton Canyon is such a great attraction — and why we’ve so often had to close its gates — read, “The ‘trails’ and tribulations of Waterton Canyon.”