About Natural Areas

Natural Areas are naturally yours! You are welcome to explore and help care for these special places. The City's Natural Areas Program manages over 36,000 acres locally and regionally, so there is likely a natural area near you!

• Natural Areas Map (PDF 10.4MB)

Most Fort Collins natural areas are open for your enjoyment and recreation from 5 a.m. until 11 p.m. except for Bobcat Ridge Natural Area, Gateway Natural Area and Soapstone Prairie Natural Area which are both open from dawn to dusk.

Natural areas are funded by citizen-initiated city and county sales taxes. The funds from these taxes, by law, are dedicated to the Natural Areas Program and may not be used for other parts of the city government.

The Natural Areas Program’s mission is to conserve and enhance lands with existing or potential natural area values, lands that serve as community separators, agricultural lands, and lands with scenic values. Conservation of natural habitats and features is the highest priority while providing education and recreation for the Fort Collins community.

Why Are Natural Areas Important?

Natural Areas are valuable for many reasons!

• Recreation - natural areas provide a respite from the urban environment. Natural Areas are a place to hike, bike, walk your dog, ride your horse, bird watch, fish, create art, write, or just enjoy some quiet time outdoors.
• Education - natural areas are an outdoor classroom for students of every age.
• Scientific - natural areas are used by scientists to collect data.
• Economic - natural areas make Fort Collins an attractive place to do business.
• Cultural - natural areas protect traces of our past.
• Ecological - natural areas filter our water and air, prevent flooding and provide habitat for wildlife and native plants.
• Aesthetic - the opportunity to hear a creek babbling, see a bird soaring, watch the sun reflect off a dewy spider web, smell a wildflower; these are all experiences to treasure.
• Add your own reason here!