Experience the foothills meeting the plains at this beautiful site. Trail connections to Rimrock Open Space and the Blue Sky Trail make Coyote Ridge Natural Area quite popular with recreationists who shuttle vehicles to have an excellent mountain biking, horseback riding or long distance hiking experience.
Visitors often see mule deer and coyotes, and sometimes mountain lions, bears and rattlesnakes. Rabbitbrush, mountain mahogany, and three-leaf sumac provide habitat for songbirds, lizards, rabbits, deer mice, and foxes.
The approximately 600-foot rise in elevation makes for nice views of the Front Range and eastern plains as well as the Cheyenne Ridge to the north. At the top, views to the west are gorgeous.
Note: This is one of the few Fort Collins natural areas on which dogs are not allowed.
Parking lot on west side of Taft Hill Road approximately 3 miles south of Harmony Road (about 1 mile south of the Larimer County Landfill). There are 5 designated horse trailer parking spots available. Coyote Ridge is a popular destination, if the parking lot is full please have an alternate destination in mind and come back another time. Please do not park cars in the horse trailer spots, in undesignated parking areas, or along Taft Hill Road.
Customized free educational programs at Coyote Ridge Natural Area are available for groups, call the Master Naturalist Program at 970-224-6118 or email YWNobGVibmlrQGZjZ292LmNvbQ==.
Plant List for Coyote Ridge Natural Area. Volunteers were critical in making the list possible, thank you! Questions or list additions? Please email Y3N0cm91c2VAZmNnb3YuY29t .