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Poudre River Trail and Greeley Gravel Pits

Aliases: Greeley Gravel Pits

A paved bicycle and walking trail follows the Cache la Poudre River through the northern part of Greeley and westward all the way to Windsor. Some stretches of the river are lined with tall trees; be sure to scan them for nesting Bald Eagles, especially west of town. The trail also runs past many gravel pit ponds that can attract many water birds: ducks, geese, grebes, gulls, terns, and sometimes loons. Access to the best birding is usually at 35th Avenue parking (dirt) area and 71st Avenue parking at Signature Bluffs Natural Area. The Natural area has a very nice boardwalk and soft surface trail that leads into the cottonwoods along the River. If you stay on the paved Poudre Trail about 1/2 mile to the west, you can overlook some ponds to the north that can be quite birdy. There are also a few feeders in private yards along the irrigation canal that the trail follows just across the canal along the way.

The Poudre River Trail is a 21-mile paved pathway extending from Island Grove Regional Park in Greeley to River Bluff Open Space in northwest Windsor, so there are many miles to explore (on foot or bike) for birds and more!

County: Weld

Directions: From I-25: take exit 257, US Hwy 34/Eisenhower Blvd. and go east to Greeley. Transition onto US Hwy 85/Business Route to 71st Avenue and head north 1 1/2 miles to Signature Bluffs Natural Area. Or, continue east on 85/Business Route to 35th Avenue, turn north and go 1 1/2 miles to an unmarked dirt parking area on the left (west), right before you get to the bridge.

Dates of Access: Open all year
Hours: Daylight hours
Ownership: Municipal
Admission: Free

Restrictions: Please respect park rules and regulations

Parking: Varied
Lodging: Hotels in Greeley

Handicapped: Yes
Handicapped Access: ADA accessible facilities and paved trail

Latitude: 40.44276
Longitude: -104.78578

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