Jones Park

Jones Park is nestled in the high foothills south of Pikes Peak. This El Paso County Parks property is surrounded by U.S. Forest Service land and is enjoyed by a wide range of users, including motorcyclists, mountain bikers, and hikers. The 1,200-acre open space includes coniferous forests, aspen groves, high mountain meadows, Bear Creek, and remnants of early settlers’ cabins, including Loud’s Cabin and its stonework chimney.

One of the first routes to Pikes Peak, known as the Bear Creek Trail, traversed through Jones Park. The park gets its name from Joseph C. Jones, who came to Colorado during the 1859 gold rush. In 1873, Jones established a hotel and restaurant for travelers using the Bear Creek Trail. He also constructed a log house, gardens, and fishing ponds stocked with greenback cutthroat trout, now Colorado's state fish. Though the species is threatened today, its survival is due in part to Jones’ early stocking efforts, which helped preserve its genetic purity in a contained environment.

RMFI works with El Paso County Parks to monitor the area for invasive species such as the spruce budworm and tussock moth, which cause extensive damage, along with performing other trail maintenance objectives.