Butterfly Woods Natural Area#

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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.

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). Butterfly Woods Natural Area has no entrance fee.

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.