Longs Peak Trail

Sites on this Trail

Fossil Creek Reservoir Natural Area
Description:
Designated as an "Important Bird Area" by the National Audubon Society, this is one of the best birding locations in the area. Huge numbers of geese often stage here in late fall, including thousands of Cackling Geese, with some Snow, Ross', and Greater White-fronted Geese usually mixed in. A Bald Eagle nest located on the opposite side of the lake can be viewed from the gazebo east of the Visitor Center. Note: pets are not allowed at this property.

Directions:
From I-25: take exit 262, CR 392/E County Rd 32, and head west. Fossil Creek Reservoir is on the north side in 1 mile. Go north onto the access road across from Eagle Ranch Rd. to the parking lot for the Reservoir.

Access:
Open all year, Daylight hours
Donath Lake
Description:
This small lake can be scanned from one safe pullout on the east side of the road. The water here can attract Western Grebes, ducks, and sometimes gulls, mostly between late fall and spring when the water is not completely frozen. One of the most unexpected birds ever to be found in Colorado, a Kelp Gull from South America, was once spotted here.

Directions:
From I-25: take exit 262/CR 32 and go west for 1.5 miles to CR 9. Head south on CR 9 and in one mile, go west on CR 30. In 1.5 miles at CR 13, go south and then west into the dirt pullout.

Access:
Open all year, Daylight hours
Boyd Lake State Park
Description:
In warmer months, Boyd Lake is a hotspot for boating, yet you can still see spring and summer birds of interest, including Bald Eagle, White-faced Ibis, Chimney Swift, Red-headed Woodpecker, and many interesting shorebirds, such as Black-necked Stilt and Willets. Once it starts to get chilly, Boyd becomes a great place to look for Gulls, Loons, Terns, and Scoters, with possibly a rare species or two among the more common. The park boasts over 300 species of birds on their bird list, so be on the lookout when visiting here! A State Parks pass is required for entry.

Directions:
From I-25: take exit 257/US Hwy 34 and go west for 3.3 miles to Boise Ave. Go north on Boise Ave. to E CR 24E and go east. The road will curve north and change into N CR 11C. Continue for 1 mile and head east at the Boyd Lake State Park sign to the entrance station.

Access:
Open all year, 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Lake Loveland
Description:
This lake is right in the middle of the city of Loveland, and several city parks provide excellent access. The lake can attract various waterbirds, especially in the colder months, as long as there is some open water. The northwest inlet can be very good for wading birds when water levels are right. The highlight is usually the gulls, which sometimes gather here in large numbers. Rare gulls such as Glaucous, Thayer's, and Lesser Black-backed can be regularly found in these flocks.

Directions:
From I-25: take exit 257/US Hwy 34, and go west for 5.5 miles to Taft Ave. Head north on Taft and in 1.6 miles, turn east on Lake Park Rd into the park.

Access:
Open all year, Daylight hours
River’s Edge Natural Area
Description:
River's Edge Natural Area has a number of ponds that attract dabbling and diving ducks in winter, and Western Grebes and Ospreys in summer. The adjacent section of the Loveland Recreation Trail allows biking, walking, and wildlife viewing along a beautiful stretch of the Big Thompson River.

Directions:
From I-25: exit at US Hwy 34 and go west to US Hwy 287. Head south on US Hwy 287 for one mile and turn west on 1st St. In approximately 2-3 miles, go south onto the access road for the parking area, located directly across the street from the Centennial Park parking lot.

Access:
Open all year, 6:00 AM to 10:30 PM
De France Reservoir (and nearby ponds)
Description:
De France Reservoir and the other nearby private lakes are easy to scan from the road. These waters sometimes host good numbers of waterbirds, such as ducks, geese, and pelicans, as well as hold potential for shorebirds. Check the trees around the lake for roosting Great Horned Owls and other birds.

Directions:
From I-25: take exit 252/CR 48 and go west for 1 mile on CR 48 to CR 7. Head north on CR 7 for 1 mile to CO 60/County Rd 14. Go west on CO 60, and in 1 mile, go south on CR 5. CR 5 curves around the west side of the Reservoir. De France Reservoir is 1 mile south, on the east side.

Access:
Open all year, Daylight hours
Carter Lake County Park
Description:
Carter Lake is a scenic park nestled between foothill pine forests and the rocky Dakota Hogback ridge. It’s a good place to find birds such as Mountain Bluebird; in summer, Rock Wrens and Cliff Swallows can be found at the dam. In winter, watch for ducks, loons, and gulls on the water before it freezes. On the trails, be sure to look for the tassel-eared Abert’s squirrel. Note: there is an entry fee for this site.

Directions:
From I-25: take exit 250/CO 56 and go west through the town of Berthoud. CO 56 changes to CR 8; continue on CR 8 as it bends north to become CR 23. Head west onto CR 8E for 3 miles to the entrance station.

Access:
Open all year, 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM; Quiet hours 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM
Lon Hagler State Wildlife Area
Description:
Lon Hagler SWA in Loveland is a bird magnet, especially in late fall and early spring. The reservoir attracts ducks, loons, grebes, gulls, and sometimes shorebirds when water levels are right. Occasionally, a few Trumpeter or Tundra Swans spend much of the winter on the lakes in this area. Hunting occurs on this property, so be sure to check for seasonal restrictions before visiting.

Directions:
From I-25: take exit 255, CO 18/14th St. SE and go west to CR 21. Head south on CR 21 and in 3/4 miles, go west at W CR 16E. Continue for 1.5 miles to the parking lot.

Access:
Open all year, Daylight hours
Devil’s Backbone
Description:
This open space features a trail that runs along the scenic Dakota Hogback Ridge. The area around the southern trailhead is terrific for birding, especially on spring and summer mornings. Prairie Falcons have nested along the hogback for many years. The short Morrison Trail provides interpretive signage about the unique geology of the ridge.

Directions:
From I-25: take exit 257/US Hwy 34 and head west through Loveland for 7.8 miles to Hidden Valley Dr. Go north on Hidden Valley Dr. to access the parking lot, on the west.

Access:
Open all year, Daylight hours
Bobcat Ridge Natural Area
Description:
This remarkable place is best visited in spring and summer. The cliffs near the parking lot are the summer home of a colony of White-throated Swifts. The trails lead across grassy meadows, with meadowlarks and Vesper Sparrows, up to the ponderosa forest. For several winters, an American Woodcock has been a regular visitor to the site. A short interpretive trail describes the history of the homesteaders who lived here from the 1880s to the 1950s. Also keep an eye out for mule deer, elk, and if you're very lucky, the area’s namesake cat. Note: pets are not allowed on this property.

Directions:
From I-25: take exit 257/US Hwy 34 and go west toward Loveland; after about 4.5 miles, turn north on CR 27 (by Big Thompson Elementary) and go 4.5 miles to CR 32C. Head west on CR 32C for 1 mile to the Bobcat Ridge parking lot.

Access:
Open all year, Daylight hours
Estes Park
Description:
The gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, the town of Estes Park is a world-class tourist destination. Violet-green Swallows and American Dippers nest in town. Lake Estes can attract Mergansers, Goldeneyes, and other ducks in the colder months. The Matthews-Reeser Bird Sanctuary on the west end of the lake attracts migrant Warblers in spring and fall. Herds of elk are almost always in town, and though they seem tolerant of people, they can be dangerous. Please observe elk and other wildlife from a safe distance.

Directions:
Estes Park is at the junction of US 36 and US 34, 30 miles west of Loveland and 37 miles northwest of Boulder. A multi-level parking garage for the Visitor's Center is located on US 36, just east of the intersection of US 34 and US 36. The parking garage is also adjacent to a paved path that runs along the north side of Lake Estes. You can also find public parking downtown.

Access:
Open all year, Daylight hours
Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP -Larimer section)
Description:
RMNP is one of the crown jewels of the national park system and a terrific place to see elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep, coyotes, and other animals, as well as almost any type of mountain bird species. Different elevations in the park support very different wildlife communities. At roadside pullouts below treeline, it is hard to miss Steller’s Jay, Gray Jay, and Clark’s Nutcracker. Above treeline, you are likely to see yellow-bellied marmots, pikas, American Pipits and Common Ravens. If you're lucky, you might even find a Brown-capped Rosy-finch or White-tailed Ptarmigan in the land above the trees.

Directions:
From Estes Park: go west on US Hwy 36 to the Beaver Meadow Entrance Station. Alternate entrance: go west on Fall River Rd to the Fall River Entrance Station into the northern area of the park. Once in the park, utilize the park map to navigate to several great birding areas, including West Horseshoe Park, Upper Beaver Meadow, Moraine Park and the alpine region along Trail Ridge Road.

Access:
Open all year
Rocky Mountain National Park – Wild Basin
Description:
Near the Wild Basin entrance station to Rocky Mountain National Park, look for ponderosa pine birds like Williamson’s Sapsucker and Western Tanager. On the main Wild Basin Trail, watch for Dusky Grouse and American Three-toed Woodpecker. The hike to Ouzel Falls could turn up the rare Black Swift.

Directions:
From Lyons: head northwest on CO 7 to CO 84 and go west on CO 84 until the road forks. Go to the right onto CO 115, which is located at the Sandbeach Lake Trailhead. Continue west on CO 115 until you reach the Wild Basin Ranger Station and parking lot.

Access:
Open all year, Daylight hours
Allenspark
Description:
A tiny mountain hamlet, Allenspark is best known for its bird feeders. Both chickadees and all three nuthatches visit feeders year round. In winter, various finch species sometimes drop by, especially in inclement weather. In July and August, you can often pick out Rufous and Calliope Hummingbirds from the throngs of Broad-taileds, and you might see Band-tailed Pigeon in town. Keep in mind, Colorado Parks and Wildlife recommends following bear aware principles when feeding birds in bear country. See the CPW website for more information.

Directions:
Allenspark is south of Estes Park and northwest of Lyons on CO 7.

Access:
Open all year