Coyote Ridge Natural Area

The Coyote Ridge Natural Area is located between Fort Collins and Loveland, Colorado. Here you will find wide open vistas of the Front Range foothills and the cities in the surrounding area. The area is open to hiking, biking, and horseback riding, while dogs are not permitted. Make sure to park correctly according to signage, grab a map at the trail kiosk, and get going. The area is full of wildlife including black-tailed prairie dogs, hawks, various smaller bird species, mule deer, magpies, and rattlesnakes. The lower 1-mile section of the trail is a wide dirt road that carries you through an open prairie. The road carries you over a low ridge as it makes it's way to a restroom and a cabin with an overhang. Interpretive/ educational signage can be found around the cabin. Heading up from there you will start climbing and hit a few switchbacks on your way to the top of the ridge. The trail becomes narrower and much more rocky on the last leg as it takes you through shrub-covered hillsides. Reaching the top of the ridge will provide long views of the valley behind and the front range below. Point of interest markers are located at the connection to the Rimrock Trail for your viewing interest. Soak in the scenery for a spell and head back down 2.1 miles to the parking lot when you are ready.