City of Fort Collins
Fort Collins has a lot natural areas, many of them with paved or easy trails.
Fossil Creek Trail 5.17 miles paved. “…runs through the Cathy Fromme Prairie Natural Area along Fossil Creek. It extends west and north to meet the Spring Creek Trail at Spring Canyon Park.”
Poudre Trail 12.3 miles paved. From traillink.com “…follows the meandering course of the Poudre River from the Bellevue Watson Fish Hatchery to Colorado State University’s Environmental Learning Center on East Drake. The trail passes through wooded corridors and among agricultural and natural areas, small lakes and holding ponds, parks and light industrial sites.” Natural Areas crossed or bordered by the Poudre Trail include Butterfly Woods , Gustav Swanson, Homestead, Willams, Springer, Riverbend Ponds, Kingfisher Point, Cattail Chorus, Prospect Ponds, and Arapahoe Bend.
Arapaho Bend Natural Area Map “About 4 miles of natural surface and paved trail follow the edge of the ponds in a loop and encircle Rigden Reservoir.”
North Shields Ponds Map “1.5 miles of natural surface trail, wheelchair accessible fishing deck…”
Coyote Ridge Natural Area “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…”
Fischer Natural Area 0.3 mile of the paved Spring Creek Trail
Fossil Creek Reservoir Natural Area Heron Loop 0.25, Trail Map
? Magpie Meander Natural Area Map 0.16 miles of natural surface trail looks as if it is accessible. There is an accessible fishing pier.
Mallards Nest Natural Area 0.4 mil of Spring Creek Trail
Pelican Marsh Natural Area Map “There is about 1 mile of flat trail including a paved trail connecting Water’s Way Park to Carpenter Road, a gravel trail along Carpenter Road and a paved trail from Water’s Way Park to a wildlife viewing area of Robert Benson Reservoir.”
Pineridge Natural Area 1.8 mile soft surface loop round Dixon Reservoir.
Red Fox Meadows Natural Area
Map 1 mile of flat soft surface
Reservoir Ridge Natural Area Map The Parking lot at Overland Trail Rd is at start of an “easy flat trail” 1.4 miles.
Riverbend Ponds Natural Area Map In addition to the Poudre Trail, there are “About three miles of natural surface trails and a boardwalk from the Cherly St. entrance.”
Ross Natural Area 0.7 mile of paved Spring Creek Trail goes through this area.
Salyer Natural Area Map 0.3 mile paved and 0.3 miles natural surface.
Soapstone Prairie Natural Area Map Brochure
Lindenmeier Overlook trail 0.25 paved to pavillion with interpretive signs.
The Coterie Natural Area 0.1 mile of the paved Spring Creek Trail
Two Creeks Natural Area 0.2 mile paved. Nearest parking is in Fossil Creek Park 5821 S. Lemay Ave.
Map of Wheelchair Accessible Trails Trails Map of Natural Areas
Parks 970-221-6660 Recreation 970-221-6655
Natural Areas 970-416-2815 Rangers 970-416-2147