Butterfly Woods Natural Area#
Trail Status
Public Engagement Update
Thank you to everyone who shared feedback about Kestrel Fields and Soapstone Prairie natural areas and the 21 natural areas along the Poudre River. Over 330 people participated in onsite drop-in events, online feedback opportunities, and presentations.
The feedback is being processed and will influence the trail alignment at Kestrel Fields, and how Soapstone Prairie and the Poudre River natural areas are managed.
Kestrel Fields Natural Area
- The feedback is informing exploration of an updated trail alignment. There will not be access from the Greyrock Commons private property.
- The entry sign will feature mountains in the background and a grasshopper in the kestrel's beak.
- Further updates will be available by the fall.
Soapstone Prairie/Mountains to Plains Zone Update
- Further engagement is underway (see feedback opportunity below) to respond to comments that its hard to tell when you have arrived at Soapstone Prairie and that the trail signage is confusing.
- Minor changes are being made to the Zone Update document and a final draft is expected in the fall.
Poudre River Natural Areas
- The feedback will inform the upcoming draft Zone Update.
Description#
In the past, Butterfly Woods was a small-fruit agricultural area, and it is gradually being restored to a natural riparian (riverside) forest and upland. The most popular way to visit is by bicycling or walking on the paved Poudre River Trail. Butterfly Woods is east of the unique pedestrian bridge over the Poudre River near Overland Trail Road. Visitors may see squirrels, foxes, raccoons, mule deer, mourning doves and woodpeckers. This natural area is home to the two-spotted skipper and the smokey-eyed brown butterfly both rare species whose habitat is protected by the on-trail only policy.
Photos#
Asclepias pumila plains milkweed with (Satyrium titus) Coral hairstreak butterfly CRN July 2003
Asclepias pumila plains milkweed with (Satyrium titus) Coral hairstreak butterfly CRN July 2003
Trails#
0.4 miles of the paved Poudre River Trail (wheelchair accessible)
Hours#
5:00 a.m. 11:00 p.m.
Directions#
Butterfly Woods is along the Poudre Trail about a mile east of Lions Open Space (managed by Larimer County Natural Resources, ).
The nearest parking lot is at Lions Open Space (2425 North Overland Trail Road, Laporte, CO).
Events and Activities#
- Free educational activities and events in June-October are listed in the Natural Areas Explorer booklet.
- Last minute activity additions, trail recommendations and events offered between November-May are in our free monthly electronic newsletter- sign up on this page.
Related Information#
- Know before you go safety and recreation information.
- Plant List for Butterfly Woods Natural Area. Volunteers were critical in making the list possible, thank you!
- 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 Natural Areas Management Plan
- Bird Checklist Butterfly Woods- Courtesy of Fort Collins Audubon Society
- Bird Checklist Lion's Open Space- Courtesy of Fort Collins Audubon Society
- Butterfly Wood Natural Areas is an Important Bird Area, learn more here.