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Cottonwood Hollow Natural Area#

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Trail Status

Open without issues.

Description#

This ecologically diverse site sits amid a complex of natural areas. Nearby you'll find Prospect Ponds Natural Area, CSU's Environmental Learning Center, Running Deer Natural Area and Riverbend Ponds Natural Area. Cottonwood Hollow is a great place to get away from the urban environment, not far from home.

With 39 ponds and 278 acres of open water in the Poudre River corridor, Cottonwood Hollow's wet meadow is an uncommon habitat type. It is a great place to spot birds and other wildlife.

Note: This is one of the few Fort Collins natural areas on which dogs are not allowed and one of only two on which bikes are not permitted (bike parking at the parking lot for those who ride to the site).

Photos#

Fawn

Resting Fawn, Cottonwood Hollow by Richard Herrington

Family

Birder & baby

Sign

Cottonwood Hollow kiosk with brochures

Field

Cottonwood Hollow by Ryan Burke

Trails#

There are 0.4 miles of natural surface trail within Cottonwood Hollow Natural Area boundary. Access to this trail segment is from Running Deer Natural Area. View the trail map

Hours#

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

Directions#

Nearest parking is at the Running Deer Natural Area parking lot on Prospect (west of Summitview Drive, approximate address is 3301 East Prospect Road, Fort Collins). Cottonwood Hollow also can be reached via connecting trail from Riverbend Ponds Natural Area through the underpass at Prospect or from the Running Deer Natural Area trailhead at the Colorado Welcome Center. Cottonwood Hollow Natural Area has no entrance fee.

Events and Activities#

Related Information#