• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Uncover Colorado Logo

  • Blog
  • Activities
  • Events
  • Towns
  • Lodging
  • Dining
  • Transport
  • Shop
  • Search
  • Blog
  • Activities
  • Events
  • Towns
  • Lodging
  • Dining
  • Transport
  • Shop
  • Search
Near Pineridge Natural Are, CO
Near Pineridge Natural Are. Photo: Laura Bojanowski

Pineridge Natural Area – Fort Collins

FacebookTwitter

Pineridge Natural Area was established in 1976 as one of the first protected natural areas near Fort Collins, Colorado. A result of the City Council’s open space plan of 1974, Pineridge Natural Area allowed for the preservation of Colorado landscape from burgeoning residential and commercial development.

In 1992, the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Department introduced a new Natural Areas Program. Species of interest lists and education programs were developed to encourage visitors to engage with treasured natural area plants and wildlife.

Bordering Fort Collins on the west, Pineridge is part of a group of Foothills Natural Areas including Reservoir Ridge, Maxwell, and Coyote Ridge. This scenic range hosts a tranquil expanse of recreational trails and reservoirs.

Miles of grassland, mountain mahogany shrubland and patches of scrub forest make up Pineridge Natural Area’s foothills scenery. Wildlife inhabitants at Pineridge include western meadowlarks, elk and black-tailed prairie dogs.

Activities

Pineridge Natural Are, CO
Pineridge Natural Are, CO. Photo: AJ Schroetlin

Pineridge Natural Area also provides a recreational space for people to destress and connect with nature.

Biking/Hiking – A mix of easy, intermediate and challenging trails for walking, hiking and biking make Pineridge a popular destination for the whole family. Leashed dog walking and horseback riding are also welcome along Pineridge trails.

Pineridge Natural Area’s trails include:

  • Reservoir Loop Trail
  • Foothills Loop Trail
  • Valley Trail
  • South Loop Trail
  • Timber Trail
  • Ridge Trail
  • Viewpoint Spur
  • Park Trail
  • Neighborhood Access Trail

Visitors can admire a full view of beautiful Dixon Reservoir along Reservoir Loop Trail. Nature lovers will enjoy the scenic half mile of Viewpoint Spur between Dixon and Horseshoe reservoirs. For longer trail enthusiasts and more challenging mountain biking, Foothills Trail spans 9.6 miles from its southern loop in Pineridge up into the connecting natural areas of Maxwell and Reservoir Ridge.

Education – Educational programs like themed nature walks and skygazing are organized by the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Department. These programs take place between June and October each year.

Fishing – Pineridge is also a popular destination for licensed fishermen and non-motorized boating on over 40 acres of peaceful Dixon Reservoir. Bass, bluegill and grass carp are just a few of the native fish species Dixon offers.

Getting There

Access free parking for Pineridge Natural Area via County Road 42C, at approximately 2750 County Road 42C. Entrances into Pineridge include Dixon Canyon Road (main entrance) and Spring Canyon Park.

Details

Address: Fort Collins, CO 80526

Phone: 970-416-2815

Season: Year round

Website: fcgov.com/naturalareas/finder/pineridge

Primary Sidebar

Join our Colorado travel community

Enter your email below and grab our free locals' guide and monthly what's up designed to help you live your Colorado life and uncover fun things to do. —and never miss out again.

Colorado Public Parks

  • All Public Parks
  • Acacia Park
  • America the Beautiful Park
  • Aurora Reservoir
  • Austin Bluffs Open Space
  • Bancroft Park
  • Barker Meadow Reservoir
  • Bear Creek Lake
  • Bear Creek Regional Park
  • Benson Sculpture Garden
  • Berkeley Lake Park
  • Bluestem Prairie Open Space
  • Boddington Park
  • Boulder Reservoir Regional Park
  • Central Park
  • Chautauqua Park
  • Cheesman Park
  • City Park
  • Civic Center
  • Confluence Park Delta
  • Confluence Park Denver
  • Coyote Ridge Natural Area
  • Cuchara Mountain Park
  • Daniels Park
  • David A Lorenz Regional Park
  • Devil’s Backbone Open Space
  • Dillon Reservoir
  • Echo Lake
  • Evergreen Lake
  • Fairplay Beach
  • Fountain Creek Regional Park
  • Four Corners
  • Garden Of The Gods
  • Georgetown Lake
  • Gold Camp Park
  • Gossage Youth Sports Complex
  • Grand Lake
  • Green Mountain
  • Horsetooth Mountain Open Space
  • Horsetooth Reservoir
  • Island Grove Regional Park
  • Jeff Co Open Space
  • Keystone Lake
  • Lake Estes
  • Lake Nighthorse
  • Lake San Cristobal
  • Maxwell Natural Area
  • McIntosh Lake
  • Memorial Park
  • Monument Lake
  • Monument Valley Park
  • Mount Falcon Park
  • Ninth Street Historic Park
  • North Cheyenne Cañon Park
  • North Slope Recreation Area
  • North Table Mountain Park
  • Paint Mines Interpretive Park
  • Palmer Lake Recreation Area
  • Palmer Park
  • Philip S. Miller Park
  • Pine Valley Ranch Park
  • Pineridge Natural Area
  • Pinewood Reservoir
  • Red Fox Meadows Natural Area
  • Red Mountain Open Space
  • Red Rock Canyon Open Space
  • Red Rocks Amphitheatre and Park
  • Reservoir Ridge Natural Area
  • Rifle Mountain Park
  • Rimrock Open Space
  • Rocky Mountain Lake Park
  • Sloan’s Lake
  • Soapstone Prairie Natural Area
  • South Slope Recreation Area
  • Standley Lake
  • Summit Lake Park
  • Sunken Gardens Park
  • Telluride Town Park
  • Ute Valley Park
  • Vallecito Lake
  • Wash Park
  • Westminster City Park
  • Williams Fork Reservoir
  • Waterton Canyon
  • Wolford Mountain Reservoir

Footer

Get In Touch

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Write For Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Resources
Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter

Disclosure: Uncover Colorado is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Things To Do

  • Travel Blog
  • Colorado Activities
  • Colorado Events
  • Colorado Towns
  • Colorado Hotels
  • Colorado Restaurants
  • Colorado Transportation
  • Made in Colorado

Visit Mile High Happy Hour for Denver neighborhoods' restaurant happy hours.

Winter Activities

  • Camping
  • Cross Country Skiing
  • Federal Lands
  • Hot Springs
  • Ice Skating
  • Skiing and Snowboarding
  • Snow Tubing
  • State Parks

Vacation like a VIP! Leisurely Lifestyle shares life and travel hacks, as well as cheap luxury travel.

Copyright © 2021 · Uncover Colorado - Vacations, Travel & Tourism | Sitemap | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer