A community effort to maintain 130 miles of trails 
Castle Rock boasts over 130 miles of scenic trails, offering endless opportunities for hiking, biking and outdoor exploration. Of those, 104 miles are managed by the Parks and Recreation Department. With such an extensive network, keeping these trails in top condition is no small task. While Parks and Recreation staff work hard to maintain these outdoor spaces, they rely on the dedication of volunteers to help keep the trails safe, accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
That's where Castle Rock's trail maintenance groups come in. These passionate volunteers roll up their sleeves and hit the trails to ensure they remain in great shape year-round. Their work is essential in preserving the beauty and functionality of our beloved outdoor spaces.
In 2024, 245 volunteers across both groups contributed a combined 3,966 hours to trail maintenance efforts-a clear demonstration of what can be achieved through community commitment.
Meet the trail maintenance groups
Two key volunteer groups contribute hundreds of hours each year to maintaining soft surface trails throughout Castle Rock: the Ridgeline Wranglers and the Rhyolite Dirt Crew.
Ridgeline Wranglers: guardians of Ridgeline Trail and Philip S. Miller Park
The Ridgeline Wranglers are a dedicated team of volunteers who maintain and improve the trails at Ridgeline Open Space and Philip S. Miller Park Open Space. With approximately 50 active members and six trained crew leaders, this group plays a vital role in ensuring the trails remain safe and well-kept. The Wranglers tackle a variety of trail projects, including:
- Maintaining trail surfaces and structures
- Clearing vegetation and keeping corridors open
- Improving drainage structures to prevent erosion
- Removing invasive weeds
- Constructing new trail features and enhancements as needed
This hardworking group meets one Saturday a month at the Ridgeline Open Space trailhead off Coachline Road, with additional outings scheduled as needed. Occasionally, they also assist with maintenance projects at Philip S. Miller Park trails.
Rhyolite Dirt Crew: enhancing the Rhyolite Bike Park
Since 2010, the Rhyolite Dirt Crew has been dedicated to maintaining and improving the bike park at Rhyolite Regional Park. This team has left a lasting mark on the park, making it a top destination for riders of all skill levels. Their past projects include:
- Building and refining bike park berms and jump lines
- Adding a mulch practice jump and return section
- Establishing a 2-mile permanent cyclocross course in 2012
- Constructing a new session zone in 2013, featuring beginner, intermediate, and advanced lines
- Installing a picnic area and reworking session jumps in 2018 to refresh the course
Their work ensures that riders can continue to enjoy a challenging yet well-maintained space for biking and skill-building.
More than just volunteering: making an impact
In 2025, both trail groups will focus their efforts on one key priority: improving trail sustainability. This shared goal will help ensure Castle Rock's soft surface trails continue to withstand the test of time, weather and heavy use-while also protecting surrounding natural resources.
The 2025 season kicked off with informational meetings in March, which drew around 20 interested volunteers eager to get involved. It's a promising start to another impactful year on the trails.
Trail maintenance groups are an integral part of the POST Partners Volunteer Program, which provides meaningful, skill-building opportunities that help sustain and enhance Castle Rock's parks, open spaces and trails. Whether you're passionate about conservation, need to complete volunteer hours for graduation or are fulfilling court-ordered service, joining a trail maintenance group is a rewarding way to give back. 
By volunteering, you're not just maintaining trails-you're preserving the natural beauty of Castle Rock for future generations, fostering a strong sense of community and making a lasting impact on the outdoor spaces we all cherish.
To find out when each group meets and where you can pitch in, visit the Trail Maintenance Groups webpage.
If you love spending time outdoors and want to play a hands-on role in keeping Castle Rock's trails in top condition, consider joining the Ridgeline Wranglers or the Rhyolite Dirt Crew. Whether you're a seasoned trail user or just looking for a fun way to get involved, there's a place for you on the team.
Sign up today to be part of the volunteer effort that keeps Castle Rock's trails beautiful, safe and accessible for all. Visit our volunteer website to register and start making a difference!
