Hiking and Biking at Aurora Reservoir
July 5, 2016
One of Southshore’s most popular neighborhood attractions is the Aurora Reservoir, with more exercise and recreational options than you can shake a walking stick at. It’s close enough to hike and bike to, and far enough away not to be a noise nuisance!
The 8.5 miles of multi-use trails around the lake are intended for everybody: walkers, strollers, runners, bikers, roller skaters and skate boarders. Even electric or E-bikes are allowed on the trails — at speeds at or under 20 miles per hour. And a bonus for runners: there’s a soft-surface 5K trail by the upper parking lot that’s easier on your knees!
The perimeter trails around Aurora Reservoir are open year round during daylight hours and accessible by car for a $10-per-vehicle entrance fee, or free by walking/biking through the pedestrian gates.
Cruiser bikes can be rented for $10 a day, which includes a helmet, from the Aurora Reservoir office during the hours between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Etiquette at Aurora Reservoir
Good trail etiquette keeps everybody healthy and happy with some basic rules – things like passing on the left and making sure wheels yield to pedestrians.
Pets are welcome and must be leashed at all times. Sadly, water-loving canines are not allowed IN the lake, and if you need the Dog Whisperer to make Fido behave, he might be happier at home!
The trail system offers plenty of opportunities to view wildlife and birds. The combination of water and short-grass prairie attracts many seldom-seen small mammals as well as shore birds, hunting birds and songbirds. If you’re curious, some of the more recent bird sightings in the area are reported here.
The rangers at Aurora Reservoir have one word of warning: rattlesnakes. They say it’s not uncommon to see the snakes along the trails. The good news is, they tend to avoid humans and only attack if they feel threatened or are deliberately provoked. Steer clear of any snake you can’t identify and call the Ranger Hotline at 303-326-8430 to report one.
Live here, play there.
If you haven’t already put down roots in one of our lakeside neighborhoods, step into one of the gorgeous Village Homes models priced from the $400s to the $700s and see why more people are calling Southshore home. With plenty of “quick move-ins” and two different collections, there’s a floor plan to fit every family.