• Pets: Dogs and other domesticated pets and animals or livestock are not allowed in the canyon, to protect the bighorn sheep. Horses, donkeys, and mules are allowed in the canyon.
• Trail use: Foot, bicycle and horseback access only. Waterton Canyon is an operational facility, you may encounter vehicles and equipment.
• Prohibited uses: Canoeing, kayaking, tubing and rafting are prohibited. Alcohol is not allowed in the canyon. Overnight parking is prohibited.
• Body/water contact:  Body contact with water is prohibited (e.g., swimming and wading). 
• Vehicles: No public motorized access, including cars, trucks, motorcycles, minibikes, e-bikes, scooters, or other combustion/electrical power-driven devices. Devices approved by the Americans with Disabilities Act are permitted.
• Fires: Fires or fireworks of any type are not allowed. Smoking is not allowed in the canyon.
• Trespass: Trespassing is prohibited on the dam or within any fenced area, facility or posted areas.
• Unmanned Aircraft Systems: UAS or drones are not allowed to launch or land on Denver Water property.
• Firearms: Firearms and archery equipment are only permitted during open hunting season on U.S. Forest Service lands 2.7 miles up the canyon. Colorado Parks and Wildlife regulations apply.
• Permits: Special use permits are required for group events over 25 people. Request must be received 30 days prior to event. Contact Denver Water at 303-634-3744 or  303-634-3745.

Denver Water reserves the right to remove any visitor from Waterton Canyon in the interests of safety and security as determined by Denver Water personnel.

Not permitted on Strontia Springs Reservoir or on the South Platte River through Waterton Canyon.

Permitted only on the Colorado Trail above Strontia Springs on U.S. Forest Service property. Check with Pike-San Isabel National Forest South Platte Ranger District for restrictions.

• Waterton Canyon entrance to Marston Diversion Dam
  • Live bait may be used.
  • Bag limit is four trout any size.
• Marston Diversion to Strontia Springs
  • Artificial flies and lures only.
  • Bag limit is two trout any size.
• Strontia Springs Reservoir
  • Check Colorado Parks and Wildlife regulations.

Denver Water has been and continues to discuss and evaluate how we can move forward with our partners regarding recreation e-bike restrictions in the future. 

For some background, in Waterton Canyon, Denver Water is the owner of portions of this path and most of the facilities in the canyon. There are also other entities in the canyon, including the U.S. Forest Service that own portions of the path. The U.S. Forest Service classifies the canyon as a “non-motorized path.” 

To ensure a mutual understanding for how we manage Waterton Canyon for recreation, Denver Water entered into the 1979 Foothills Agreement with the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management. The agreement prohibits the use of motorized devices in the canyon. We are committed to having discussions to help find the best solutions with our partners and for our community, which will require a formal process that will take time.
  
Class 1 and 2 e-bikes used as part of an ADA accommodation in Waterton Canyon are permitted on Denver Water’s portion of the path, depending on the size, weight and speed of the device, so long as it wouldn’t cause a safety risk because of crowds or trail conditions (e.g. on a busy day) and so long as the requestor can provide credible assurance that they require an accommodation to access the facility. 

As we continue to work on a more formalized process, those seeking ADA accommodations in Waterton Canyon can contact our Recreation team at recreation@denverwater.org. You will need to be able to provide credible assurance that you require an accommodation to access the facility before arriving. As a reminder, Denver Water can only grant permission for use on its property and does not have authority over the path owned by U.S. Forest Service. There are clear signs noting the demarcation of property owned by Denver Water and by the U.S. Forest Service.

Denver Water strives to offer as many recreational activities as possible while also maintaining a safe, efficient environment for recreational users and the workers that share the canyon. 

• Starting in Denver — Colorado Trail Foundation.
• It is not advised to start a through-hike before late June or end the trail after late September.
• No overnight parking. Shuttling is advised. 
• Phone service is lost 2 miles up the canyon. In case of emergency, contact a Denver Water ranger or employee. 
• Camping, grills, and open flames are prohibited in the canyon to protect the watershed. U.S. Forest Service dispersed camping is located on the single-track portion of the Colorado Trail. This is 7 miles up from the start of the canyon and located above Strontia Springs Dam. 
• Last point of potable water is located at the Last Chance water fountain near the start of the trail. 
• Last reliable point to collect nonpotable water is 6.2 miles up the canyon, below Strontia Springs Dam. Be aware that Bear Creek is seasonal and will dry up after spring runoff. Next point to collect water is at the South Platte River at the start of Segment 2.
• Domesticated pets, such as dogs and cats are not allowed in Waterton Canyon to protect the wildlife. This also applies when coming from the Colorado Trail. Please plan accordingly to avoid this section.
• Denver Water conducts road work annually, usually in early June, which requires closure of Waterton Canyon for approximately two weeks. During this time, the Indian Creek Trailhead and Roxborough State Park are available to start or end the Colorado Trail.
   

Please be courteous and follow "The 7 Principles" of Leave No Trace when visiting Waterton Canyon. The principles provide a framework of minimum impact practices for anyone visiting the outdoors. Learn more at LNT.org.

The 7 Principles of Leave No Trace:

1. Know before you go.
2. Stick to trails and camp overnight right.
3. Trash your trash.
4. Leave it as you find it.
5. Be careful with fire.
6. Keep wildlife wild.
7. Share our trails.

Denver Water is proud to partner with Leave No Trace, an organization that pioneers science and provides proven, research-based solutions for the protection of the natural world. They provide innovative education, skills, research and science to help people care for the outdoors.

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