An oasis of calm in the midst of urban life, Carolyn Holmberg Preserve offers a tranquil setting for both humans and wildlife. Look for waterfowl and raptors at Stearns Lake and in surrounding fields. With luck, you may see bald eagles that regularly hunt here.
Carolyn Holmberg Preserve at Rock Creek Farm
Trails
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Cradleboard Trail
1.3 miles – Easy
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Lac Amora Link
0.3 miles – Easy -
Mary Miller Trail
1.5 miles – Easy -
Ruth Roberts Connector Trail
0.9 miles – Easy
Rules & Regulations
Day Use Only
Bikes On Designated Trails Only
Pets On Leash
No Camping
No Swimming
No Boating
Trailhead Amenities
25 car parking spots
2 ADA van accessible parking spot
Restroom near main trailhead
25 person group shelter located near main trailhead Shelter Reservation Info
Live view of the Stearns Lake parking lot
Keep In Mind
- Stearns Lake trailhead can be accessed from Dillon Rd and 104th St. There is no access from 287 through Rock Creek Farm.
- The Carolyn Holmberg Preserve connects with the Rock Creek Trail.
- Regional trails and regional trail connectors are open to commuters 24 hours per day. Trailheads close at sunset and parking is not allowed between sunset and sunrise.
Trailhead improvements were completed on Oct. 15. The project included an expansion of the parking lot, surface grading, two new culverts for improved drainage, and a concrete sidewalk from the accessible parking to the restroom and the kiosk. Parking spaces increased to 25 regular parking spots and two ADA van accessible parking spots. There is no trailer parking in the new lot.
Stearns Lake is a great place to fish.
Fishing at Stearns Lake
- Bluegill (limit 20), Channel Catfish (limit 10), Tiger Muskie (limit 1 of 36” or larger), Largemouth Bass (limit 5 over 15″).
- Artificial and live bait permitted.
- Boats and float tubes are not permitted.
- The northwest shoreline is permanently closed.
- Summer Catfish Nights are held annually at Stearns Lake. Check the Hike & Events Calendar for details.
- Learn more about Fishing on Open Space
Visitation by Day of Week
Visitation by Hour
Visitation by Month
Visitation by Location
Bald Eagle Update
A detour was in place along a section of the Cradleboard Trail from Oct. 15 to Feb. 12 to protect territorial bald eagles.
After losing their nest to a lightning strike in August, it was uncertain where the eagles would choose to nest this season. With limited suitable nesting trees in the area—including one along the trail near their previous nest—they have now settled in a tree near the southern end of S. 104th St.
Designated Viewing Area
To minimize disturbance, parking is not allowed along S. 104th St., and visitors are asked to keep moving along the trail. A designated viewing area is available for those who wish to observe the eagles. Visitors are encouraged to use the Cradleboard Trail rather than S. 104th St. to help minimize disturbance to the nesting eagles.
Boulder County follows all state and federal raptor protection guidelines and may implement stricter measures if needed.
Animals You Might See
In the shadow of the Rocky Mountains, the Great Plains is dry, windy, and expansive. Receiving only small amounts of precipitation, the 1,136 acres of Carolyn Holmberg Preserve is dominated by grasses. The scarcity of water prevents larger shrubs and trees from growing, except along waterways. However, the soils are rich, allowing a wealth of other plants to thrive. These plants, in turn, support a variety of animal species.
Mammals
- Black-tailed prairie dog
- Coyote
- Desert cottontail
- Muskrat
- Raccoon
- Red fox
- Striped skunk
- Western harvest mouse
Birds
- American avocet
- American kestrel
- American widgeon
- American white pelican
- Bald eagle
- Barn swallow
- Burrowing owl
- Canada goose
- Common goldeneye
- Common merganser
- Common nighthawk
- Great blue heron
- Great horned owl
- Killdeer
- Mallard
- Mourning dove
- Northern oriole
- Northern shoveler
- Red-tailed hawk
- Red-winged blackbird
- Ring-necked duck
- Snowy egret
- Song sparrow
- Swainson’s hawk
- Western grebe
- Western kingbird
- Western meadowlark
Fish
- Bluegill
- Channel catfish
- Tiger muskie
- American vetch (Vicia americana)
- Cattail (Typha latifolia)
- Curlycup gumweed (Grindelia squarrosa)
- Scarlet globemallow (Sphaeralcea coccinea)
- Peachleaf willow
- Plains cottonwood
When gold was discovered near Gold Hill, miners streamed in to seek their fortune. Most people left broke and disillusioned. Some, however, started a new life farming.
Two of those pioneers were Mary and Lafayette Miller. They came west in 1864 and purchased an 80-acre parcel of land on Rock Creek that included a hotel and tavern and a stage station. They also ran a cattle ranch and meat market in the area.
During the past century, this open space property has been used to raise crops and livestock, and was also home to a dairy farm. Boulder County purchased a portion of Rock Creek Farm in 1980 for agricultural preservation and as a buffer between the growing communities in southeastern Boulder County.
The property is dedicated to Carolyn Holmberg, a former Parks and Open Space director who died in 1998.
Renting the Goodhue Farmhouse
The Goodhue Farmhouse, rehabilitated in 2004, was originally built nearly 100 years ago. It is closed to the public, but is available to rent to municipalities, environmental and historical nonprofits, and other nonprofits that partner with Boulder County government.
Learn more about renting the Goodhue Farmhouse.
