1. Walking, Hiking, Jogging
2. Watching Wildlife, Relaxing, Journaling
3. Walking your Dog
4. Riding your Bike
5. Riding your Horse
6. Photography and Artwork
7. Hunting, Fishing, Camping
8. Boating, Swimming, Ice Skating
9. Safety

When trails are muddy, hike through the mud, not around it. This is to reduce the erosion and trail widening that results from hiking around muddy sections of trail.

Always keep an appropriate distance from wildlife to avoid causing undue stress on the wildlife. The general guideline is that if wildlife stop what they are doing and look at you, you are too close.

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Dog walkers must keep their dogs on leash at all times and pick up after their dogs. Pet pickup bags are offered at most trail heads. Natural Areas and Trails Rangers are directed to strictly enforce the City's leash law along all City trails and within natural areas.

• Why do I have to keep my dog on a leash?
  
  • Public Safety - Dogs off-leash cause injuries each year. Dogs bite people, fight with other dogs, and run up to people or cross trails causing accidents to bikers, roller bladers, and pedestrians. The City receives several complaints each year from people, especially children, who are afraid of dogs. Loose dogs ruin the trail experience for many people, even fellow dog walkers.
  • Resource Protection - Dogs off-leash can cause disturbance to wildlife by preventing them from hunting, foraging, resting, traveling, or other activity necessary for their survival. Dogs also disturb sensitive vegetation by trampling plants and spreading weed seeds. Please keep yourself and your dog on designated trails. Playing fetch or allowing the dog to roam widely around the trail corridor can decrease the opportunities to observe wildlife for you and others. It also makes picking up and removing your dog's waste more difficult.
  • Protect Your Dog - Your dog could be in harms way. The City's natural areas are home to wildlife that could kill or injure your dog, such as black bears, mountain lions, coyotes and rattlesnakes. Also, wild rodents occasionally harbor fleas, which carry plague. Although there are no documented cases of plague being transmitted to humans via dogs or fleas in Larimer County, it could happen. Your dog's contact with wild rodents, such as prairie dogs, could pose a health threat to your dog and your family. Keeping the dog on a leash and on trail will minimize this danger. Never allow dogs to enter prairie dog towns, where fleas may be more abundant, or approach dead, injured or sick wildlife.
• Are there natural areas where dogs are not allowed?
  Because of resource sensitivity, dogs are not allowed at Coyote Ridge, Running Deer, Bobcat Ridge, or Cottonwood Hollow natural areas. Also, dogs are not allowed at Fossil Creek Reservoir Regional Open Space, which is managed by Larimer County Parks and Open Lands.
• Are there places where I can take my dog off leash?
  Yes, learn about the City's dog parks.
• Why do I have to pick up my dog's waste?
  Dog waste in the natural areas and on the trails is objectionable to many natural area visitors and trail users. Waste not removed may spread harmful parasites and bacteria into water sources that feed the city's groundwater and waterways. Preservatives commonly found in dog food, coupled with dry climate, retard decay, which prolongs these problems.

  Remove your dog's waste to minimize the spread of disease and as a courtesy to other visitors. Biodegradable bag for waste pickup are provided at the most popular trailheads. To protect the environment, and avoid a ticket, please carry them back to the trashcan at the trail head. We ask that you strive to leave no trace!

• What do I do if I get a ticket from a ranger?
  If you are cited by a ranger, follow the instructions on the back of your ticket at the bottom. Contact the court if you have any questions. If your ticket is pink, you will contact Municipal Court. If your ticket is blue, you will contact Larimer County Court. The phone number for the court is printed on the back of the ticket. Be ready to provide your case number, which is written at top, right-hand corner of your ticket. If you have lost your copy of the ticket, the appropriate court will have a copy on file. You will have to wait 7-10 days after the ticket is issued before the court can pull your case number from the system.
• How much is the fine for an unleashed dog ticket?
  If you received a ticket for having your dog unleashed, called "animal at large," contact Municipal Court at (970) 221-6800 for fine information. Rangers do not have the fine schedule and therefore cannot give you that information.
• What other regulations regarding dogs should I be aware of?
  See Regulations...>>

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Bikers can count on sharing the trail with other users in all natural areas. Be aware of trail etiquette and take responsibility to yield the right-of-way to other trail users. Mountain bikers must yield to all other trail users. This means dismounting your bike until other trail users have passed. And please remember that during your ride, bikes need to stay on trail.

Rules of the Trail: Established by IMBA and reproduced with permission.

1. Ride On Open Trails Only.
   Respect trail and road closures (ask if uncertain); avoid trespassing on private land; obtain permits or other authorization as may be required. Federal and state Wilderness areas are closed to cycling. The way you ride will influence trail management decisions and policies.
2. Leave No Trace.
   Be sensitive to the dirt beneath you. Recognize different types of soils and trail construction; practice low-impact cycling. Wet and muddy trails are more vulnerable to damage. When the trailbed is soft, consider other riding options. This also means staying on existing trails and not creating new ones. Don't cut switchbacks. Be sure to pack out at least as much as you pack in.
3. Control Your Bicycle!
   Inattention for even a second can cause problems. Obey all bicycle speed regulations and recommendations.
4. Always Yield Trail.
   Let your fellow trail users know you're coming. A friendly greeting or bell is considerate and works well; don't startle others. Show your respect when passing by slowing to a walking pace or even stopping. Anticipate other trail users around corners or in blind spots. Yielding means slow down, establish communication, be prepared to stop if necessary and pass safely.
5. Never Scare Animals.
   All animals are startled by an unannounced approach, a sudden movement, or a loud noise. This can be dangerous for you, others, and the animals. Give animals extra room and time to adjust to you. When passing horses use special care and follow directions from the horseback riders (ask if uncertain). Running cattle and disturbing wildlife is a serious offense. Leave gates as you found them, or as marked.
6. Plan Ahead.
   Know your equipment, your ability, and the area in which you are riding -- and prepare accordingly. Be self-sufficient at all times, keep your equipment in good repair, and carry necessary supplies for changes in weather or other conditions. A well-executed trip is a satisfaction to you and not a burden to others. Always wear a helmet and appropriate safety gear.

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Where to go
There are some natural areas that provide a better trail experience for you and your horse due to property size, length of trails and availability of trailer parking.

• Coyote Ridge Natural Area, a foothills property, has designated trailer parking and a seven mile round trip ride on soft-surface trails with stunning views and varied terrain. The Coyote Ridge trail connects to Larimer County's Blue Sky Trail, which runs between Devils Backbone Open Space on the south to Horsetooth Mountain Park and Lory State Park to the north going through the Rimrock Open Space.
• Pineridge Natural Area, also a foothills property, is a popular equestrian destination with trailer parking available. Riders can make a 4-mile loop at Pineridge as well as accessing the spring creek trail system to the east. Riders can connect to the foothills trail system through Maxwell Natural Area to the north.
• Bobcat Ridge Natural Area is an excellent equestrian destination! Check out the Valley Loop (4 miles) or the DR trail (horses and hikers only, no bikers) which was specially designed with equestrians in mind.

Sharing the trail
Equestrians using natural areas must share the trails with other users. Using common sense is the best way to avoid conflict and maintain an enjoyable experience for all. True, equestrians have the right-of-way on trails, which means bikers, joggers, hikers, etc. must yield. But don't forget that equestrians have important safety responsibilities.

• Make sure your horse is under your physical control at all times.
• Don't ride your horse in a manner that is likely to cause harm to another trail user, wildlife or the natural environment.
• Pony a "green" horse with a seasoned horse/rider combination, or ride your green horse with other experienced equestrians.
• When riding in areas in which you may encounter numerous mountain bikers, be sure your horse is comfortable with this setting beforehand.
• Research trail and topography before you head out.
• Don't assume others know to yield the trail. Make eye-to-eye contact with approaching trail users. Will that child holding a balloon spook your horse? Verbally communicate information to others so everyone stays safe. Let the mountain biker approaching you from behind know when it is safe to pass and how much room your horse needs.
• Your attitude makes a difference. Be polite and considerate to others.
• When parking lots are full, capacity has been reached. Have an alternate destination in mind instead of attempting to squeeze into the lot.

Not sure where to ride, or wondering if the Timber Trail at Pineridge Natural Area is closed due to muddy conditions? Contact a ranger!

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Fishing is allowed in many natural areas, but not all. Natural Areas open to fishing are: Arapaho Bend (ponds west of I-25 only), Gateway, Gustav Swanson, Kingfisher Point (two ponds west of Timberline, bank fishing prohibited from west banks, north bank of north pond and south bank of south pond), Magpie Meander, McMurry, North Shields Pond, Pineridge, Prospect Ponds, and Riverbend Ponds. If you are not sure about fishing regulations, please contact a ranger, 970-416-2147. Fishing is regulated by the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW). You must have a valid fishing license. You can check fishing regulations at http://wildlife.state.co.us/fishing. Please note that ice fishing is not allowed in any natural area.

Camping is not allowed in City natural areas due to their close proximity to residential and commercial areas. However, in the future the City may allow backcountry camping on Soapstone Prairie Natural Area .

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Swimming and ice-skating are not allowed in any natural areas, with one exception. Ice-skating is allowed on the southwest corner of Merganser Pond in the Prospect Ponds Natural Area.

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Does the City remove rattlesnakes from natural areas?
No, rattlesnakes and other snakes are important and valuable wildlife in natural ecosystems. It is your responsibility to avoid encounters with snakes and other wildlife.

What if I see a mountain lion or a bear at a natural area?
Contact a ranger and let them know where and when you saw the animal.

What if I get stuck in a lightning storm?

1. PLAN in advance your evacuation and safety measures. When you first see lightning or hear thunder, activate your emergency plan. Now is the time to go to a building or a vehicle. Lightning often precedes rain; so don't wait for the rain to begin before suspending activities.
2. AVOID WATER. Avoid the high ground. Avoid open spaces. Avoid all metal objects including electric wires, fences, machinery, motors, power tools, etc. Unsafe places include underneath canopies, small picnic or rain shelters, or near trees. Where possible, find shelter in a substantial building or in a fully enclosed metal vehicle such as a car, truck or a van with the windows completely shut. If lightning is striking nearby when you are outside, you should:
   1. Crouch down. Put feet together. Place hands over ears to minimize hearing damage from thunder.
   2. Avoid proximity (minimum of 15 ft.) to other people.
3. SUSPEND ACTIVITIES for 30 minutes after the last observed lightning or thunder.
4. INJURED PERSONS do not carry an electrical charge and can be handled safely. Apply First Aid procedures to a lightning victim if you are qualified to do so. Call 911 or send for help immediately.
5. KNOW YOUR EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS. Know your location, so if you use a cell phone to call 911 for help, you can help emergency personnel know where you are. Some of Fort Collins' natural areas have yellow emergency call boxes. After lightning has stopped, use a call box to get help for an injured person.

Abide by this safety slogan:
"If you can see it, flee it; if you can hear it, clear it."

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