Red Rock Canyon Open Space facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Red Rock Canyon Open Space |
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 Red Rock Canyon Open Space
Location in Colorado
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| Location | Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States |
| Nearest city | Colorado Springs, CO |
| Area | 1,474 acres (5.97 km2) |
| Established | 2003 |
| Governing body | City of Colorado Springs |
Red Rock Canyon Open Space is a large city park in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It covers about 1,474 acres, which is like 1,100 football fields! The park is on the west side of the city, close to Manitou Springs.
This amazing park has many parallel rock ridges and deep canyons. These rocks are made of sandstone, just like the famous Garden of the Gods park nearby. The ridges are called "hogbacks" because they look a bit like a pig's back!
Park History
Red Rock Canyon Open Space wasn't always a park. In the past, this land was used for different industries. There were quarries where rocks were dug out, and even a gold refining mill. There was also a landfill, which is a place where trash was buried.
A man named John George Bock bought these pieces of land in the 1920s and 1930s. Later, in 2003, the city of Colorado Springs bought the land. They wanted to turn it into a fun place for people to visit and enjoy nature.
Today, you can still see some signs of the past. For example, there are remains of the Kenmuir Quarry. This quarry produced a type of sandstone called Lyons sandstone a long time ago. The old landfill area is still closed off to visitors to keep everyone safe.
Fun Things to Do
Red Rock Canyon Open Space is a very popular spot for outdoor activities. It has many miles of trails that wind through the cool rock formations. These trails are great for:
- Hiking
- Jogging
- Mountain biking
The park's trails also connect to other trails, like the Intemann trail that goes to Manitou Springs. If you are an experienced climber, you can even go rock climbing here, but you need a special permit first.
Awards and Recognition
In 2012, Red Rock Canyon Open Space received a special award. The Trails and Open Space Coalition gave it the Stewardship Award. This award recognized how well the park is managed and cared for.
Images for kids
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Red Rock Canyon Open Space view from Garden of the Gods
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Rock formations and field in the park
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Path in the park
