City to Close Chapman Drive Trailhead for Recreational improvements

The City of Boulder will close the Chapman Drive Trailhead and a short section of the Boulder Canyon Trail starting as early as Monday, March 3, to construct a new bridge connecting the Boulder Canyon Trail to a significantly improved Chapman Drive Trailhead, which will feature upgraded amenities for visitors.

The trailhead will be closed through the fall while area improvement work occurs; however, the Chapman Drive Trail will remain open. A short section of the Boulder Canyon Trail – about 1,000 feet – will be closed for three months beginning Monday, March 3, as the pedestrian bridge is under construction.

As part of Chapman Drive Trailhead-area improvements, City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP), in partnership with Boulder County, will install a new pedestrian bridge over Boulder Creek, linking the Boulder Canyon Trail to the Chapman Drive Trailhead. This bridge will provide a separate, safer route for cyclists, hikers, and equestrians. OSMP also will enhance trailhead vehicle and trailer parking, increase the number of bike racks, and add a new picnic table.

The new pedestrian bridge and Chapman Drive Trailhead improvements are the final phase of a long-term collaboration between the City of Boulder, Boulder County, and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to enhance recreational opportunities in Boulder Canyon and along the Boulder Canyon Trail. Earlier work by CDOT extended the Boulder Canyon Trail from Fourmile Canyon Drive to Chapman Drive, which included the addition of two new bike-friendly tunnels under the highway and about 3,500 feet of length to the Boulder Canyon Trail.

OSMP appreciates the community’s patience as we undertake major improvements at the Chapman Drive, Marshall Mesa, and Sawhill Ponds Trailheads, which require temporary closures. The city encourages visitors to explore alternative destinations at OSMPTrails.org.