Trail is
Avg Rating:   |
70 trail reviews |
Difficulty:  - Intermediate |
|
| Length: 12 miles | Global Rank: #179 |
| Tread: Singletrack | Configuration: Network |
| Ridden: 264 | Wishlist: 104 |
| 8 trail check-ins |
Climb // Descend +2,500 // -3,000 feet |
| Average Speed: 2.1 mph | Average Time: 3hr 34min |
Directions
To view directions to Palmer Park mountain bike trail, please login. If you don't have an account, sign up for a free account - it only takes a minute.
Description
This place has trails for everyone. The park is surprisingly large despite its location in the center of town. The trails criss-cross every section of the park and can be combined for some really long rides. All the trails are well marked and are rated like ski slopes - green trails for beginners, blue for intermediates, and black diamonds for extreme riders. Lots of rocks, sand, and scrub brush. Many winding sections, rock drop offs, and great jumps. This trail is more technical in places than Ute Valley Park or other rides in town. A great place to ride after work or any time.
Rick_Teal on April 1, 2013
Stratton Open Space/ The Chutes (85%)
Rampart Reservoir (77%)
Palmer Trail / Section 16 (77%)
Monarch Crest Trail (77%)
To view directions to Palmer Park mountain bike trail, please login. If you don't have an account, sign up for a free account - it only takes a minute.
Description
This place has trails for everyone. The park is surprisingly large despite its location in the center of town. The trails criss-cross every section of the park and can be combined for some really long rides. All the trails are well marked and are rated like ski slopes - green trails for beginners, blue for intermediates, and black diamonds for extreme riders. Lots of rocks, sand, and scrub brush. Many winding sections, rock drop offs, and great jumps. This trail is more technical in places than Ute Valley Park or other rides in town. A great place to ride after work or any time.
added by jeff 
on June 18, 2003
on June 18, 2003Trail Reviews [Add a review]
Rick_Teal on April 1, 2013
0 out of 0 readers found this useful
Review: Fun place to go and enjoy some good mountain biking. Took me a while to find where trails lead and how to loop back to where you started with out back tracking. Im a beginner and I didnt find anything overly difficult. Good spots for speed, air, and technical riding!!
Was this Review helpful?
Yes |
No
respond to this review
Review: I give it 5 stars for quality, quantity of trails, and fits all skill levels. It's 786 acres I believe of mountain biking heaven. You can loop all the trails together for an easy 20 miles and more which I do almost daily. This place will teach you to ride anything the mountains can throw at you. Hikers are in abundance and will place logs and rocks in the trail so be careful. Plenty of horse crap too seeing as how there are stables next to the park.
Similar Trail: Ute valley
Similar Trail: Ute valley
Review: Just rode the Templeton trail, want to meet whoever can ride this trail without walking their bike on some of the ups. Had so much fun, can't believe I waited so long to ride Palmer Park. Trails were better marked than reported, must have been improved.
Similar Trail: Like Ute, but on a grander scale.
Similar Trail: Like Ute, but on a grander scale.
Review: Palmer is a good park with a lot to offer. Cheyenne is a good technical challenge, Kinnikinick has good climbs and descents, and Yucca and grandview are a bit faster. Palmer point is probably my favorite all around trail though kinda a combination of all the other trails. Templeton is absolutely awful, don't even bother trying out this pile of rocks they called a trail. Good trails but the springs has a lot more to offer.
* Review edited 11/3/2012
* Review edited 11/3/2012
Review: This park offers something for the beginner and advanced rider. Tempelton trail is a more advanced trail and if your not an expert rider, you can expect to walk your bike on some sections. This park rocked and I'll be back to ride it more. Like others have said, the trails can be a little confusing if you don't ride there often. If you like real tech and challenging, this park offers it.
Review: Palmer Park has trails for everyone, but most of them are not beginner trails. You can find short steep climbs, tons of rocks and roots, cliffs, sand, and gravel in PP. There are trails everywhere in the park and most of them are not marked. I still find it a bit confusing after 10 or so rides there. A recent storm that dumped a lot of rain and hail has washed out some trails, created deep ruts, and deposited sand (up to 5" deep) in the low lying areas. Overall, a great place to ride for intermediate and advanced riders.
Review: Wow! Great park. Right in town, one side of the butte looks over the city with the mountains behind; the other looks over the other side of the city out over the plains. Wish I could spend a week here.
* Review edited 9/29/2012
Similar Trail: I have more to ride yet.
* Review edited 9/29/2012
Similar Trail: I have more to ride yet.
Review: I am fairly new to mountain biking but I am really enjoying it here in the Springs. Palmer Park is excellent. I had a blast even on my cheap Wal Mart bike I brought with me from flat Florida. Now that I have a real mountain bike it's even more fun. Highly recommend this, lots of variety and great views.
Review: I reviewed this trail previously after two rough experiences. This time however, I found the trails I was looking for and I have to say...I love it. So yea, all those reviews about something for everyone and hours upon hours of fun...it's true.
Similar Trail: Ute Valley
Similar Trail: Ute Valley
Review: Awesome place to ride. Beware that the beginner trails have a mix of very technical elements. Some trails are not well marked, but you can ride for hours and have a great time. Trails on the north side are mostly hike a bike up. Had a great time here. Cheyenne was awesome! Recommend 5-6 in travel bike and tubeless tires.
Review: Great network of trails from beginners to advanced. This has been my weekly playground, so becoming pretty familiar with the network and becoming more courageous every time I go, especially Templeton Trail. Just remember, if you crash, landing on the rocks can be more forgiving than the vegetation...cactus everywhere. Overall, I can never get sick of this park.
* Review edited 8/18/2011
* Review edited 8/18/2011
Review: Palmer park is great. You have fast swooping trails for good fast runs but you also have teeth gritting technical trails. You can ride all day and still only ride half the trails. I ride here usually 2 to 3 times a week before work.
Similar Trail: When riding in town if Im not at palmer park then I'm at Ute Valley park. This park is fun but not near as large as palmer park.
Similar Trail: When riding in town if Im not at palmer park then I'm at Ute Valley park. This park is fun but not near as large as palmer park.
Review: Most of the trails ridden this am were dry, but I didn't ride all of them but I'm pretty sure there all in good condition..
Review: MTB: Hardtail Rockhopper 29er
Lets start by saying that I am an absolute beginner. I have ridden these trails twice in the past 4 days, about 2 hours a piece. It's DRY as of today, only one 4x3 area of wet clay that I came across and it didnt slow me down. I read that its slow, but I was able to slay this place with some pretty good speed. The black diamonds that I rode seemed to only be rock garden type sections. I had to upgrade to slime tubes due to the high concentration of "invisible" cacti, that flattened my stock tubes to pancakes. I ran across a couple pretty techy downhill boulder areas..which were a pretty sick introduction to that style/type of MTBing. I definitely plan on riding this area as much as possible on lunch breaks and after work! Great place to learn some vital skills on not so terrifying terrain, I hope you all get to enjoy it as much as I do!
Review: rode this trail a couple days ago and it was pretty dry but with the resent snow/slush we have had man it gets nasty in some spots with the clay mud, I'll keep you guys posted in a few dyas
* Review edited 2/7/2011
Similar Trail: south shore @ Lake Pueblo Ute valley park
* Review edited 2/7/2011
Similar Trail: south shore @ Lake Pueblo Ute valley park
Review: I would say if you are out for a quick ride, drop on in and ride this park. It is good for a few things but it's more or less pretty slow.
Similar Trail: Cheyenne Canyon
Similar Trail: Cheyenne Canyon
Review: This is my regular stomping ground. As said before its what ever you want it to be. I love the mix of tech climbs and drops. Good practice for Fruita & Grand Junction.
Review: This is my favorite trail in Colorado Springs. Although you have to watch out for the little hoodlums that like to spray paint things on the rock face. If you catch them please run over them regardless of your 26in wheels. This park is great and will test your ability every which way!!!!
Similar Trail: UTE Valley Park
Similar Trail: UTE Valley Park
Review: I was pressed for time so I went to Palmer Park today. If technical trail riding is your thing you should check this place out. If not go elsewhere. With that being said... Palmer Park can be utilized to improve most riders skills regardless of how good they are or think they are :-) This is a heavily used trail system. I came across many other mtn bikers and trail runners. They were all friendly. Note: I rated this trail a "3" because going slow, while balancing, hopping, weaving, and pushing my way through a bunch of rocks and roots isn't my thing. I'll take my hardtail to the Falcon Trail and ride all day and love every minute of it.
Review: soemthing for everyone here. this trail system is massive and yo can ride all day on different stuff
Review: moved here from LA last Feb. and was totally blown away at what was just two minutes from my house, great trails for all and like mentioned before getting lost on these trails is actually half the fun for the after work ride, some tech stuff and nice singletrack in some places. i bring my 20 month old and pull him in his trailer on the mesa trail. gotta gettem started young give him a feel for the bumps and rough terrain....
Review: Palmer Park has a very large network of trails for every riding level. A rider could put together upwards of 20 miles of riding within the park with little to no trail overlap This route is one I ride after work which takes around an hour and a half. This route offers some nice down hill sections with some good climbs in the mix as well. Pretty much every trail has some sort of feature either being a rock climb or drop or the many tree root features that cross the trail at odd angles. Riding Palmer Park will help improve your biking skills as well as giving one a good workout.
Review: The whole park is Palmer Park and has alot of different trails in it. Its the best I have road in Colorado Springs
* Review edited 11/5/2009
Similar Trail: Red Rock
* Review edited 11/5/2009
Similar Trail: Red Rock
Review: Excellent park! Quite a bit packed into a small area, pretty impressive.
Review: This trail has something for everyone. I took my son and his friend out there and they enjoyed it greatly as well as some coworkers who don't ride. Trails are well marked and like I said there is something for everyone. The expert trails are very technical and at the improv area....enjoy!
Review: Palmer Park is a fantastic place. It is more or less centrally located in the Springs, and has some fantastic trails.
Review: There is something for every rider here. Pay attention. There are cliffs and large drop offs on some of the trails.
Review: What it lacks in vertical, it makes up for with a short climb up Grandview Trail. Edna Mae Bennet is a surly and fun descent. Quality intermediate stunts through out the park. There are some special steeps and a few zippy flowy sections, too. Hikers and equestrian are still nice to bikers, so keep it that way by stopping and saying "hi."
Similar Trail: South Shore Lake Pueblo
Similar Trail: South Shore Lake Pueblo
Review: I love palmer park, its a fun place to ride right in the middle of the city, great for a quick ride after work. I think its the best place in the area to work on technical skills.
* Review edited 2/26/2009
Similar Trail: Ute Valley
* Review edited 2/26/2009
Similar Trail: Ute Valley
Review: Templeton Trail - this trail is Great! Very brutal for a beginner like me ;) but well worth it. I learned a lot this past Saturday in riding up this trail! There are obstacles/challenges one after the other for miles. I couldnt finish the whole trail because of time. But, one day soon I will. They're are sections that unless your and advanced rider, you'll want/have to walk your bike around or over.
Review: I really enjoy riding in Palmer Park. Like others have mentioned, it's amazing to have so much in such a small area right in the middle of CS. The trails offer alot of fun, challenging riding. I even ventured out on to some of the "blacks", and lived to tell about it ! ;)
Review: Hard to believe this is in the middle of town. I spent 3 hours riding everything from easy cruising to stuff that I wished I had worn armor. Very fun place. I will go back and do more exploring. Get a map at an LBS, or be prepared to get lost, which is not entirely bad, is it.
Review: no way should this be ranked 3 in the world or country or whtever..no big climbs no big decents all false flats or flats the only time i ride it it when im desperate to ride everytime i go there it is amature hour. the only semi good trail is tempelton just cuz its technical other wise its s***
Review: 20+ miles of singletrack all packed into a 750 acre park smack in the middle of town--what a resource! Plenty of variety for all skill levels. Take the beginners on the Mesa or Yucca trails, let the intermediates get fast and flowy on Palmer Point or stretch their technical capabilities on Kinnikinnik. Experts can use all their suspension on Cheyenne, Edna Mae Bennett, or Templeton. Full on knuckleheads can always find plenty of rock formations for sick drops or crazy air. Explore and have fun!
Similar Trail: Ute Valley Park
Similar Trail: Ute Valley Park
Review: Overall, I think it is one of the best places to ride in Colorado Springs. There are different levels of difficulty, not too many big climbs. A lot of trails for being located right in the middle of town. Lots of Templeton Gap trail was un-rideable for me(huge boulders). Great views of the city and mountains.
Similar Trail: Garden of Gods
Similar Trail: Garden of Gods
Review: Great park but over rated on this site and def not one of the best in the world
Review: Great for a short ride or an afternoon. There are alot of trails to ride so you can jump around. There is fun for the technical rider or for the family ride.
Similar Trail: Cheyenne Mountain Park, Colorado Springs, CO
Similar Trail: Cheyenne Mountain Park, Colorado Springs, CO
Review: This place is great. It's open nearly all year, and never seems to get over crowded. I would have to say that this is a great park for ANY skill level. If you want to avoid getting into something too technical either turn around and go the way you came, or get a trail map of the park. Most of the local shops have them, especially the better ones (see reviews on this site). This park WILL have what ever it is that you are after.
Review: Just rode Palmer Park on Saturday afternoon, first time since last summer. Technical in a lot of spots, very fast in a lot of spots.
Don't like the trail you're on? Poke around, you're sure to come across one that's more your thing.
I love riding here, the whole place is fun.
Review: I found this trail to fill my technical expectations. I was disappointed w/ the trail "markings". I would NOT recommend this place for beginners. They will find themselves in over their head at some point in the ride.
* Review edited 1/6/2009
Similar Trail: Markum Park in FL or Racoon Mtn trail system in TN.
* Review edited 1/6/2009
Similar Trail: Markum Park in FL or Racoon Mtn trail system in TN.
Review: Great single track! Some nice technical riding as well. Recently relocated here from Delaware. Nothing close to Palmer Park back East!
Review: Weeeeee! Loads of fun and lots of things to test your ability to push the envelope of your comfort zone! We went through Palmer Point through the Greenway trail. Unfortunately, we only had an hour to spend in Palmer Park, so we only played in the southest portion of the park on the blue trail. Next time we will plan on spending lots more time here.
Review: big mtb playground right in the middle of Colorado Springs. you can drive your car on paved road all the way to the top. make sure to get there early so you spend all day riding. since it's right in town you'll encounter other trail users. trail range from easy to ones i didnt want to try on my hardtail.
Similar Trail: markham park
Similar Trail: markham park
Review: As stated with most of the other reviews, it's possible to link a lot of the different trails into an all-day ride.
They range from wide smooth jogging trails, to oh-my-gawd rock-strewn technical nightmares.
We followed Palmer Point trail for a good while, and it offered a nice intermediate mix of flowing singletrack, rock gardens, & climbs.
Similar Trail: Red Rock Canyon, Ute Valley, B Street Trails
Similar Trail: Red Rock Canyon, Ute Valley, B Street Trails
Review: This is a great palce to bike in CSP. All types of trails from Beginner to "That's Impossible". I think I've hittin every trail in the park but everytime I go I'll find another one to try out. You can check out some of my rides at Palmer Park at http://www.shhlacker.com
Similar Trail: Palmer Trail in Seciton 16
Similar Trail: Palmer Trail in Seciton 16
Review: Awesome! great scenery, some tough trails, and its here in the city!
Review: Been riding there since 1991. Although I don't like what has become of some of the trails over the years, it is still a great place to ride. It offers a wide variety of trails for all skill levels right in the center of town.
Similar Trail: Ute Valley
Similar Trail: Ute Valley
Review: This is a pretty fun trail system. I think the trails could be marked a little better. We did a big loop and explored most of the trails we came to . Good technical spots and mix of fast places .
Review: I rode these trails back in 1999. They were really great, fun trails although I have to say compared to Sugarbottom in Iowa, it's really not much better (other than the fact it is in CO)!
Review: The trail sounds great, I will be living and riding there soon. Thanks for all the input but you missed the really important question. Are there any hot chicks on this trail? Have fun boys and girls.
Review: I really do love the variety of trails at Palmer Park. I don't think I can ever get bored there. It can feel like a maze if you're new to the park and don't know the trails; -- but the exploration is half the fun!
Similar Trail: Ute Valley Park
Similar Trail: Ute Valley Park
Review: If you like technical riding this is a great place to go. Try to do the whole Templeton Loop. There are plenty of challenges on that trail (and I have the scars to prove it!). If you don't like risking your body there are enough other trails that are still challenging and fun. Are there better singletrack trails you could ride? Sure. But how many trails like this are right in the middle of a city?
Review: This is a great place to ride in the springs as it offers something for everyone. I have a blast everytime I ride here.
Review: the trail has becime alot more technical.. if you follow the cheyene trail it has washed out alot, and has become really rocky.. it is probley the most technical in town now..
Review: plamer park is all what you make of it.. it can be a leasure ride, technical climb or tuff descent event. trails go everywhere. i suggest you ride with some one who knows the park. i can see getting frustrated looking for the ride you desire
Review: Great untill my brakes gave out! :) After I fixed them I was back to having fun. There are some pretty extreme trails in there. Some of the runs are exausting technical uphill climes. Others, for instance those in the yucca flats section of the park are geared towards ex-couchpotatos. This park offers variaty, distance, wildlife, and more. My personal favorite is the Kinikenick loop, an intermediaet run
Review: Great trail system. It offers a little something for everyone. Its good to ride with someone who knows the area for the first few times, as they can show you the best areas to ride.
Review: THis is a great trail system near the middle of Colo. Springs. Easy access and many diffrent levels of aerobic and technical difficulty make this system a lot of fun for all riders. Definately a 'Do make' when in this city.
Similar Trail: Gambrill and Watershed as well as Patapsco Maryland.
Similar Trail: Gambrill and Watershed as well as Patapsco Maryland.
Review: Palmer park is lots of fun to ride from my front door to the top and take the top of yucca flats to yucca trail, then up the grandview and back down kinnikinik, if you don't think this is enough down-hill for you try forrester's trail from frosty park down jones park to the high drive, or from the rampart range road try downhill riding balanced rock down to the upper palmer reservoir, all a total blast !
Similar Trail: ute valley or monument preserve
Similar Trail: ute valley or monument preserve
Review: This trail shouldnt even be on the top 100, these pictures on this site show like the only two good spots, and the park is not marked well at all
Review: I don't have any idea how this trail is rated #2. Colo Spgs has much better singletrack than Palmer park.
Similar Trail: Captian Jack's
Similar Trail: Captian Jack's
Review: Palmer Park is a great escape right in Colo Spgs. Yeah, it is multi-use but I am sure the walkers and runners are just as annoyed as any biker to have to make room. There are some really great technical sections and you can cruise around for hours. It is also a great park to live by.
Review: Response to \"Abe\"
Yes there are better trails in town but not many are as easly accessed or have the variety of trails and skill levels.
I like Palmer Park because I can get there quickly and ride as long or short as I want and not just do a loop.
Similar Trail: Bear Creek
Similar Trail: Bear Creek
Review: I can't believe this is rated #4 in the U.S....
There are sooo many trails around town that are
better. I kind of tells me what kind of people rate
trails on this board.
It's too slow, too many walkers with dogs, joggers, etc...
If you're a freerider techno geek, then you'll love
this trail. If you're looking for a training ride for
racing then head up to Cheyenne Canyon and try
St. Mary's falls and Jones downhill, Bear Creek Trail,
yes it's Trail# 666. It'll give you a nice 3-4 hr loop.
Similar Trail: St. Mary's, Jones, Bear Creek
Similar Trail: St. Mary's, Jones, Bear Creek
Review: Palmer Park is 737 acres of trees, rock, and wildlife. The trails network is mutli-use, meaning practice NORBA rules and yield to hikers and equestrians. Trails range from easy (Mesa Trail: broad graded dirt path) to quite technical (Edna Mae Bennet: rock steps/dropoffs, steep, twisty, narrow), with enjoyably technical in between (kinikinnick, sections of Grandview). While the trails are named, and most major trail intersections are marked, there are a variety of shortcut trails that make things confusing at times. Thankfully, there is a Palmer Park Trails Systems map, put out by ASI, and available at most Colorado Springs Bike shops which is basically a really cool airphoto with trails overlayed in bright colors and labeled. Quite handy for figuring out where you are!
Review: There are tons of trails out here. I could play out here all day. The cheyenne trail has some wicked downhill.
Review: its the best place I have ever ridden, it was awsome! there are some really hairy places, and some easy trails to balance it out.
Similar Trail: mt. Herman, near monument
Similar Trail: mt. Herman, near monument
Review: Palmer has something for everyone and is a good place to build your skills before moving on to tougher rides. Plenty of rocks, roots and drop-offs to satisfy just about everyone and the ability to link trails of varying difficulty is a plus. Great views of Pikes Peak and downtown. The only bad thing is it's open to equestrians, but fortunately you don't see them too often. Tons of fun!
Similar Trail: N/A
Similar Trail: N/A
Review: Rode out here yesterday. The trails were a bit rutted from folks riding in the snow and in wet conditions. Overall the trail seems to be in good shape.
Similar Trail: Ute Valley.
Similar Trail: Ute Valley.
Review: Nice place to ride. Lots of varied terrain, well marked trails. Trails for all skill levels. There are a few sandy areas that really suck but other than that, a good ride.
Similar Trail: Ute Valley Park
Similar Trail: Ute Valley Park
Recommendations
Captain Jack's (100%)Stratton Open Space/ The Chutes (85%)
Rampart Reservoir (77%)
Palmer Trail / Section 16 (77%)
Monarch Crest Trail (77%)
Tags
confusing favorites Here maze network Ride Should technical YouColorado Outdoor Lists
Add to 'My Trails'
Site Map |
Support |
About Us |
Contact Us |
Terms |
Privacy |
API
Camping | Hiking | Trail Running | Skiing | Mountain Biking
Camping | Hiking | Trail Running | Skiing | Mountain Biking
Copyright 2013
Blue Spruce Ventures LLC | Decatur, GA
singletracks.com is yet another slick Review App
singletracks.com is yet another slick Review App
