Running Deer Natural Area#
Trail Status
Description#
As its name suggests, deer love Running Deer because of the plentiful food, water and shelter for them here. Visitors may see both mule deer and whitetail deer bedded down or running across the site. Mule deer have large ears and a black-tipped tail. Whitetail deer have smaller ears and wide, flat, bushy tails. Thank you to Great Outdoors Colorado who provided a grant to help purchase this site.
A nice destination at Running Deer is the White Pine Fire Lookout. The top (or cab) was part of the fire lookout tower located on White Pine Mountain, west of Fort Collins until 1967. It has been stabilized by volunteers and it serves as a wildlife viewing pavilion now. To reach the cab, use the Colorado Welcome Center trailhead and follow the trail southwest about 1 mile to the cab or fire lookout top.
Photos#
Trails#
About 2 miles of soft surface trail. Running Deer is one of the few natural areas where no bikes or dogs are permitted. Dogs and bikes are allowed at Riverbend Ponds, on the north side of Prospect Rd. Trail map >>>
Hours#
5:00 a.m. 11:00 p.m.
Plan Your Visit#
Popular times.
Directions#
Parking lots on east Prospect Rd (at approximately 3301 Prospect Rd) and at the Colorado Welcome Center (3745 Prospect Rd.) Running Deer Natural Area can also be accessed via the Prospect Rd underpass from Riverbend Ponds Natural Area. This natural area has no entrance fee or parking fee.
Activities and Events#
- Find free educational activities and events year-round on the Events Calendar. Activities and events in June-October are also listed in the Natural Areas Explorer.
- Learn about special events and activities each month by subscribing to the Natural Areas e-newsletter.
- Check out the Natural Areas Learning Library for self-guided activities.
Related Information#
- Know before you go safety and recreation information.
- Trail map
- Special people have volunteered to take an active role in the stewardship of natural areas by doing monthly litter pick-ups. You can join the fun and adopt a natural area, too!
- Poudre River Management Plan
- White Pine Fire Lookout information
- Forest Fire Lookout Association article about the White Pine Fire Lookout by Susan Epstein
- Running Deer Natural Area is an Important Bird Area, learn more here.
- Bird Checklist- Courtesy of Fort Collins Audubon Society
- Plant List for Running Deer Natural Area Volunteers were critical in making the list possible, thank you!