Recognition

Colorado's 5-Star Outdoor Destination 2026

Virginia Canyon Mountain Park earned Colorado's top outdoor distinction in its inaugural season — recognized by the Weekly Register-Call and its editorial review panel. Four categories, one unanimous verdict.

All VCMP Awards

Top New Colorado 5-Star Outdoor Destination 2026

Weekly Register-Call

Awarded to Virginia Canyon Mountain Park for its exceptional trail design, environmental stewardship, and contribution to Idaho Springs' outdoor economy.

Editors' Choice — Best New Mountain Bike Park

Weekly Register-Call Outdoor Desk

The WRC editorial board selected VCMP as the region's most significant new trail system based on design quality, safety, and community impact.

5-Star Trail Experience

WRC Trail Review Panel

Our review panel rode all seven named trails over two seasons and awarded the full five-star rating — the first Clear Creek County trail system to earn this distinction.

Weekly Register-Call Community Award

Weekly Register-Call

Recognized for bringing riders, locals, and Colorado Parks & Wildlife together to build a trail system that serves the entire Idaho Springs community.

WRC Editorial Review

About the 5-Star Outdoor Destination Award

The Weekly Register-Call's 5-Star Outdoor Destination award is an editorial distinction granted annually to outdoor recreation destinations in Colorado that demonstrate exceptional quality across four categories: trail design and access, community impact, visitor experience, and environmental stewardship.

VCMP was evaluated across its inaugural 2026 season by the WRC outdoor desk team — riders, journalists, and community advocates who have covered Clear Creek County for more than a century combined.

The WRC has served Idaho Springs and Clear Creek County since 1867. The outdoor supplement, launched in 2026, is the paper's first dedicated outdoor recreation editorial product.

Certificate of Distinction