Colina Mariposa Natural Area#

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Description#

The Long View Trail connects Fort Collins and Loveland along Shields Street and provides access to Colina Mariposa and Hazaleus natural areas (City of Fort Collins), Long View Farm Open Space (Larimer County) and Sunset Vista Natural Area (City of Loveland).

A unique feature of Colina Mariposa Natural Area is the high butterfly diversity on the eastern ridge, which led to the site name, Colina Mariposa - Spanish for butterfly hill. Bald eagles, turkey vultures, northern harriers, red-tailed hawks, and ferruginous hawks also use the habitat here. 

Trails#

Approximately 1 mile of soft surface trail is accessible from the adjacent neighborhood and a section of the Long View Trail provides access to Colina Mariposa. Long View Trail connects Fort Collins and Loveland parallel to Shields Street.

Hours#

5:00 a.m. 11:00 p.m.

Directions#

Colina Mariposa Natural Area extends south from the intersection of Trilby Road and Shields Street. The approximate address is 901 West Trilby Road, Fort Collins. Colina Mariposa Natural Area has no entrance fee.

Events and Activities#

• Find free educational activities and events year-round on the Events Calendar. Activities and events in June-October are also listed in the Natural Areas Explorer.
• Learn about special events and activities each month by subscribing to the Natural Areas e-newsletter.
• Check out the Natural Areas Learning Library for self-guided activities.

Related Information#

• Know before you go safety and recreation information.
• Plant List for Colina Mariposa Natural Area. Volunteers were critical in making the list possible, thank you! 
• Special people have volunteered to take an active role in the stewardship of natural areas by doing monthly litter pick-ups. You can join the fun and adopt a natural area, too!
• Fossil Creek Natural Areas Management Plan 2017, pdf
• Bird Checklist- Courtesy of Fort Collins Audubon Society