Greenland Open Space
Located along the Douglas and El Paso county line between Larkspur and Monument, Greenland Open Space is a sweeping 1,200-acre landscape of rolling grassland, ponderosa forest, and rocky mesas. Once a bustling 19th-century railroad town, the property is now one of Douglas County’s most beloved open spaces, protected as part of a decades-long effort to preserve the last great stretch of undeveloped land between Denver and Colorado Springs. This park is managed by Douglas County Parks.
Recreation and Trails
Greenland Open Space offers more than 11 miles of interconnected trails that welcome hikers, mountain bikers, trail runners, and equestrians alike. The wide, gently rolling Greenland Trail is a favorite for after-work exercise and family outings, while the Kipps Loop adds a bit more elevation and adventure as it climbs toward views of Spruce Mountain to the west. Ambitious visitors can follow the Greenland Trail roughly five miles south to Palmer Lake, connecting along the way to the Colorado Front Range Trail. A fenced off-leash dog area and a horse obstacle course near the trailhead make the property a popular stop for visitors looking for something shorter and closer to the parking lot.
Wildlife and Scenery
Open grassland, oak-covered draws, and scattered ponderosa pine make Greenland Open Space home to mule deer, coyotes, hawks, and a variety of grassland birds. Cattle still graze portions of the property each summer, a living reminder of the area’s ranching roots. Wide-open views of Pikes Peak to the south and the mesas and buttes framing Interstate 25 give the landscape a sense of scale rarely found so close to a major highway. Wildflowers dot the meadows in late spring and early summer, while golden grasses and clear skies define the fall and winter months.
History
Greenland’s story dates to 1871, when the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad built a line through the area, followed a few years later by a formal townsite platted in 1875. The town takes its name from author and poet Helen Hunt Jackson, who was reportedly so struck by the beauty of the landscape that she suggested the name “Greenland.” The settlement quickly grew into a major shipping point, moving cattle, grain, and building stone along the rail line, and for a time shipped more cattle each year than any other stop along the Front Range. A schoolhouse built in 1892 and a picnic shelter modeled after the town’s original general store still stand near the trailhead today, connecting visitors to Greenland’s ranching and railroad past. Much of the surrounding countryside remains protected through a combination of public ownership and private conservation easements, ensuring this historic landscape stays open for future generations.
Plan Your Visit
Location: 1532 Noe Road, Larkspur, CO — accessible from I-25 Exit 167, just west of the highway.
Parking: A trailhead parking lot is available on-site; additional parking can be found near the dog park.
Hours: Open one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.
Fees: No entry fee.
Tips:
- Dogs must be leashed on all trails outside the designated off-leash area.
- Trails are shared with grazing cattle during summer months — give livestock plenty of space.
- Watch for rattlesnakes in warmer months, especially in grassy or rocky sections.
- Conditions can be windy and exposed; dress in layers and bring sun protection.
With its rolling grasslands, historic railroad-era buildings, and far-reaching Front Range views, Greenland Open Space offers a quiet step back in time — and one of the region’s best places to connect with Colorado’s ranching history while spending a day on the trail.
