Palmer Lake Reservoir Trailhead

The Palmer Lake Reservoir Trail is technically just south of the Douglas County line in El Paso County, managed by the Town of Palmer Lake, but it is a standard weekend objective for southern DougCo hikers, so we cover it honestly with the county caveat stated plainly. It climbs from an Old Carriage Road trailhead at roughly 7,200 feet up a gravel access road to two stair-stepped mountain reservoirs, roughly 1.4 miles to the upper reservoir and about 4-plus miles round trip with around 700 feet of gain, rated moderate. It is also the gateway to a wider network including the Winding Stairs and Balanced Rock area.

Here is the rule that matters more than any stat: no dogs and no pets, period, and no horses either. The reservoirs are the Town of Palmer Lake's drinking-water supply, and the pet ban is a strict town ordinance, not a guideline. Dog owners drive up here constantly without knowing this and get turned around at the trailhead. If you are bringing a dog, this is the wrong trail and Sandstone Ranch or Lincoln Mountain are the scenic alternatives that welcome leashed dogs.

The hike itself is a steady climb on a wide gravel road rather than singletrack, which makes it a good sustained-effort outing and a popular trail-running and hill-repeat venue. The twin reservoirs are genuinely scenic, set in a stair-step arrangement up the drainage, and the network above them rewards going further if you have the legs. Bikes are commonly ridden on the reservoir road; confirm current town signage if that is your plan.

Parking is paid at the north lot, roughly in the $5 to $10 range by kiosk and card only, with free overflow near the Highway 105 ball field; do not park on Walnut or Lovers Lane, which the town enforces. Bring your own water and bring the right expectation: a steady gravel-road climb to a pretty payoff, dogs left at home.