Amended fire restrictions: Stage 1 fire restrictions in western Boulder County. Fire restrictions rescinded in eastern Boulder County.

Hiking
Hikers on trail

Hiking

There are over 100 miles of trail to explore on open space property. Here are some of our most popular hiking trails.

Bald Mountain Scenic Area

At Bald Mountain Scenic Area, a one mile Pines-to-Peak Loop (190′ elevation gain) takes you to the summit where you can see views of the Continental Divide and eastern plains.

Carolyn Holmberg Preserve at Rock Creek Farm

The 1.5-mile Mary Miller Trail and the 1.3-mile Cradleboard Trail at the Carolyn Holmberg Preserve at Rock Creek Farm take you to Stearns Lake and alongside active agricultural land.

Heil Valley Ranch

The 1.3-mile Lichen Loop pedestrian-only trail (250′ elevation gain) at Heil Valley Ranch offers views of meadow and forest, and a variety of trees and plants along the way.

Betasso Preserve

The 3.2-mile Canyon Loop (410′ elevation gain) at Betasso Preserve is popular because of the variety it offers – open land and forest, ponderosa pines and Douglas fir trees, squirrels and deer. This trail is closed to mountain biking on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Caribou Ranch

The DeLonde Homestead Trail and the Blue Bird Loop (160′ elevation gain) at Caribou Ranch in Nederland take you on a 4.5-mile round trip through the montane life zone. Closed April 1 to June 30 to protect spring wildlife activities.

Ron Stewart Preserve at Rabbit Mountain

The Eagle Wind Trail is a 3-mile loop (340′ elevation gain) at the Ron Stewart Preserve at Rabbit Mountain that has a 360-degree view of the foothills and neighboring agricultural lands.

For a glimpse of the valley below, take the 1-mile Little Thompson Overlook Trail (380′ elevation gain).

Hall Ranch

The Bitterbrush Trail (3.5 miles one-way, 920′ elevation gain) and the Nelson Loop (2.3 miles, 320′ elevation gain) at Hall Ranch complete a 9.3-mile trek through wide-open meadows, cool forests, rocky trails and varied ecosystems.

The Nighthawk Trail (4.1 miles one-way, 1240′ elevation gain) is open to hikers and equestrians only.

Heil Valley Ranch

The Wapiti Trail and Ponderosa Loop at Heil Valley Ranch complete a 7.6-mile round trip journey (830′ elevation gain) through pines and firs, with scenic views and signs of wildlife.

Walker Ranch

The Walker Ranch Loop takes you through a variety of ecosystems (7.6-miles round-trip, 890′ elevation gain). The diverse landscape at Walker Ranch and steep staircase conditions on the east leg of the loop make this trail a favorite and challenging route for many visitors.

Contact Us

Parks & Open Space

8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Monday-Friday

Office Location

5201 St. Vrain Road
Longmont, CO 80503
Map and Directions
Office Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Monday-Thursday
Friday by phone, email, or appointment only.

Parks are open sunrise to sunset