Before You Go: Check Trail & Parking Conditions
- Natural Areas Trail Conditions webpage https://www.fcgov.com/naturalareas/status.php
- COTREX (Trails.colorado.gov)
- Facebook (Facebook.com/FCNaturalAreas)
- Twitter (@FCNaturalAreas)
Call an on-duty Ranger, 970-416-2147
The busiest times at natural areas are weekends, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m., so try visiting earlier or later, or on weekday mornings for the best chance at parking. Have an alternate destination in mind. When parking lots are full try another trailhead or come back another time. Avoid a parking ticket! Only park in designated spaces.
Natural Areas' Response
Natural Area sites are open, rangers are on-duty, and the community is encouraged to enjoy and steward these treasured places.
Natural Areas' headquarters, Nix (1745 Hoffman Mill Rd) is closed to the public but staff remains available via phone and email.
Natural Areas picnic shelters that accommodate less than 50 people are open on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are no longer accepted for Gateway Natural Area’s picnic shelters.
Primrose Studio is currently closed to the public. We are not accepting reservations for Primrose Studio until further notice.
Learning Library
Free activities and resources for educators, families, and individuals are available! Engage in the outdoors in a new way with a Discovery Hunt, clear your mind with outdoor mindfulness activities, or learn about some of the animals that live in natural areas right from your computer.
Bobcat Ridge Natural Area Restoration Video
The Cameron Peak Fire of 2020, which began in the higher elevations of Larimer County, eventually reached the foothills west of Fort Collins where it raced through the Bobcat Ridge Natural Area. Over 75% of the Area burned leaving behind a changed landscape and in, places, damaged trails. Although Bobcat Ridge is currently closed to the public, Natural Areas staff are using the opportunity to restore and recover the Area through seeding of native grasses, repairing trails, and eliminating non-native vegetation where possible. Thanks for you patience as we anticipate reopening sometime later this year.