Palmer Lake to Monument / Trail guide
New Santa Fe Regional Trail
A regional gravel trail through Palmer Lake and Monument with a major current limitation: the section through the U.S. Air Force Academy remains closed under USNORTHCOM orders.
01Current access
The trail is open in sections, not as one uninterrupted corridor.
The New Santa Fe Regional Trail is an important north-south route, but current Academy security restrictions break the route south of Monument.
El Paso County says the trail section through the U.S. Air Force Academy remains closed under USNORTHCOM orders. The County directs users to the Academy's visitor/access information for changes to base access and Trusted Traveler rules.
The County also says the New Santa Fe Trail trailhead and North Gate parking lot just before the Academy's North Gate will permanently close for construction of the new Academy Visitors Center. That is separate from the broader Academy-section security closure.
02The route
A former railroad corridor through the Tri-Lakes area.
The County-managed section is 14 miles and is part of a larger regional trail system.
County portion
El Paso County describes a 14-mile segment following the former Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad right-of-way. The first 6.5 miles beginning at Palmer Lake are generally straight and level on a gravel surface.
Academy easement
A 6.9-mile easement across the Air Force Academy forms a key connection when open. County rules for that section require users to stay on the six-foot-wide trail surface and require bicycle helmets. The section is currently closed.
Hours
El Paso County lists trail hours as dawn to dusk.
03Trailheads and facilities
Monument has direct trail access.
The County lists primary trailheads at Palmer Lake, Third Street in Monument and Baptist Road. Other access points include Highway 105, Northgate Road and Ice Lake at the Air Force Academy, subject to current closures and security restrictions.
The Monument trailhead restroom is seasonal and closes November 1 through March 31. The Baptist Road trailhead restroom is currently closed until further notice.
Because North Gate parking is slated for permanent closure and the Academy segment is closed, the trailhead that worked for an older route plan may no longer work for the same trip today.
04Living near the trail
Trail access is one of the practical differences between Monument neighborhoods.
Some homes and neighborhoods sit close to the Santa Fe corridor, while others rely on a short drive to a trailhead. For buyers who ride, run or walk regularly, the exact access point can matter more than a generic “near trails” listing description.
Search Monument homes- Verify the connectionMap the property to a legal trail access point rather than assuming a nearby green line is accessible.
- Check seasonal facilitiesRestroom and parking availability varies by trailhead and season.
- Academy access changesSecurity closures can affect longer southbound trips even when the Monument segment is open.
Useful answers
Before planning a long ride or run.
Current access status matters more than an old route map.
Is the Santa Fe Trail open through the Air Force Academy?
Not currently. El Paso County says the Academy section remains closed due to USNORTHCOM orders.
Where is the Monument trailhead?
El Paso County lists a trailhead at Third Street in Monument, with another access point at Highway 105.
Is the North Gate trailhead still a reliable option?
No. The County says the New Santa Fe Trail trailhead and North Gate parking lot near the Academy entrance will permanently close for Visitors Center construction.
Primary sources
Checked October 2, 2026.
Security restrictions can change without an old trail page being updated immediately. Check the County and Academy sites before planning a route that depends on crossing the Academy.