Editing Palmer Lake, Colorado (section)

==Recreation==
In the late 1890s, with the rising popularity of bicycling, Denver area cycling clubs promoted the creation of paths connecting urban areas with rural areas. In 1897, building on the 11-mile Denver-Littleton Cycle Path, created by the Denver Cycle Path Association, co-founded and headed by [[Alva Adams (governor)|Governor Alva Adams]] and others,<ref name="Palmer Lake Hist. Soc. Vol. 6 Iss. 1/Jan. 2012">{{cite web|title=VOLUME 6 ISSUE 1, JANUARY 1, 2012|url=http://www.palmerdividehistory.org/newsletter/plhsnewsletterv6-n1_2012.pdf|publisher=Palmer Lake Historical Society|access-date=May 30, 2018}}</ref> a new group raised funds and acquired rights-of-way for an extension to Palmer Lake, a 50-mile route.<ref name="Tom Noel/Denver Post Sep. 2013">{{cite web|last1=Noel|first1=Tom|title=Noel: Bikes are nothing new in Colorado|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2013/09/13/noel-bikes-are-nothing-new-in-colorado/|website=The Denver Post|access-date=May 30, 2018|date=September 13, 2013}}</ref> Some cyclists rode the 100-mile round trip, but many cyclists preferred to take their bikes on the train to Palmer Lake, a 2000' vertical gain, and ride mostly downhill to Denver.<ref name="Victorian Cycles-Wheels of Change/Jim Kellett documentary">{{cite web|last1=Kellett|first1=Jim|title=Denver-Palmer Lake Bicycle Path|website=[[YouTube]]|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6ayCZAbw1g| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/S6ayCZAbw1g| archive-date=December 11, 2021 | url-status=live|access-date=May 30, 2018|date=April 14, 2010}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Palmer Lake is adjacent to the {{convert|15|mi|km|adj=on}} Santa Fe Regional Trail, which runs south through Monument to the southern boundary of the Air Force Academy and follows part of the old [[Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway]]. One of the longest continuous trails in El Paso County, the graveled route supports popular activities, such as biking, hiking and horseback riding, year-round. In winter, cross-country skiers and snowshoers can also enjoy the pathway.

The fishing in Palmer Lake is decent when stocked. A solid winter freeze provides the only opportunity to get out onto the lake itself. There is a Winterfest in late winter each year, which features a supervised skating rink out on the pond. There is also a fishing derby each summer, sponsored by the chamber of commerce.

The two reservoirs behind Palmer Lake are accessible by a trail used by hikers, bicyclists, snowshoers and fishermen. The lower reservoir is fenced off from the public, but the upper reservoir has an open shoreline. The mountains behind the town have a matrix of trails connecting visitors and residents to canyons and ridges. Most trails are accessible to hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. Visitors are advised to bring a map or a local guide when exploring the trails and should be aware of wildlife alerts and National Forest rules.