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City of Fort Collins
 

Natural Areas

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Coyote Ridge Natural Area

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Trail Status:

Open without issues.

Description

Experience the foothills meeting the plains at this beautiful site. Trail connections to Rimrock Open Space and the Blue Sky Trail make Coyote Ridge Natural Area quite popular with recreationists who shuttle vehicles to have an excellent mountain biking, horseback riding or long distance hiking experience.

Visitors often see mule deer and coyotes, and sometimes mountain lions, bears and rattlesnakes. Rabbitbrush, mountain mahogany, and three-leaf sumac provide habitat for songbirds, lizards, rabbits, deer mice, and foxes.

The approximately 600-foot rise in elevation makes for nice views of the Front Range and eastern plains as well as the Cheyenne Ridge to the north. At the top, views to the west are gorgeous.

Note: This is one of the few Fort Collins natural areas on which dogs are not allowed.

Photos

Trails

There are 2.3 miles of natural surface trails with an elevation gain of about 600 feet. The Coyote Ridge Trail connects to Devils Backbone Open Space and the Blue Sky Trail. The Hidden Clues Trail is a 1/4 mile interpretive loop located about 1 mile into the site. The interpretive loop is wheelchair accessible. The City will make arrangements for groups of persons with limited mobility to have vehicle access to the accessible trail loop. Call 970-416-2815 or email naturalareas@fcgov.com for further information. View the trail map

Hours

5:00 a.m. 11:00 p.m.

Directions

Parking lot on west side of Taft Hill Road approximately 3 miles south of Harmony Road (about 1 mile south of the Larimer County Landfill). There are 5 designated horse trailer parking spots available. Coyote Ridge is a popular destination, if the parking lot is full please have an alternate destination in mind and come back another time. Please do not park cars in the horse trailer spots, in undesignated parking areas, or along Taft Hill Road.

Events & Activities

  • Free educational activities and events in June-October are listed in Tracks & Trails booklet guide.
  • Last minute activity additions, trail recommendations and events offered between November-May are in our free monthly electronic newsletter- sign up in the upper right-hand corner of this page.
  • Customized free educational programs at Coyote Ridge Natural Area are available for groups, call the Master Naturalist Program at 970-224-6118 or email skenney@fcgov.com.

Related Information

  • Know before you go safety and recreation information.
  • Coyote Ridge has been adopted by Cub Scout Pack 90, thank you! By picking up litter, adopters enhance habitat for wildlife and native plants while increasing fellow visitors' enjoyment.
  • Foothills Management Plan
  • Site brochure