Hike the Coyote Ridge Trail

The Coyote Ridge Natural Area is one of several Larimer County "gateway" preserves and Open Lands that lead into the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, connecting the shrublands of the Great Plains to the Rocky Mountain themselves through a network of trails, parks, and preserves.

The Coyote Ridge trail itself begins on the Southwest side of Fort Collins on the west side of Taft Hill Road, just south of the transfer station. There is an obvious parking area with large signage.

The first half-mile or so of the trail is flat and surrounded by numerous prairie dog colonies, eventually rising up the first hogsback and down past restrooms and a small cabin after the first mile.

Be sure to stay right past the cabin, as from there the trail ascends another mile and a half to the top Coyote Ridge itself, with views back over Fort Collins, over Spring Canyon, north to Horsetooth Rock, south to Devil's Backbone, and west to the Rocky Mountains themselves.

From there the trail turns into the Rimrock Trail and enters the Rimrock Open Space, connecting to numerous other trails and parks.

Some of the curves are blind, so watch out for mountain bikers.

No dogs allowed.