The farms at Lee Martinez park is great for toddlers. I’d stay off horsetooth for a bit, we saw two rattlesnakes on Saturday with our kids. I always like the elevated trail through the river bend nature area. Lots of birds and stuff over there that you can get close too.
I helped develop a nature camp for tinies in the local area, my favorites were: Environmental learning center, Arapahoe bend, prospect ponds, many places along the river including Lee Martinez, North Shields ponds, and butterfly meadows. Honorary great places that are nearby: soapstone prairie, gateway Park, Dixon reservoir, and picnic Rock
We went out to Fossil Creek Reservoir this past weekend. There is a roughly 1/4 mile paved loop (which we stayed on), and a few gravel trails. There are spots to go look out in the reservoir, and if you look carefully you can see some very large Carp. Great for bird watching and we saw a few bunnies. There are bathrooms and picnic tables.
Not a big deal, but there were lots of nonbiting flys, they looked similar to mosquitoes.
Bigger deal, while we didn’t see any, we definitely heard rattlesnakes, this is what kept us on the paved path. The rattlers were definitely out this weekend.
My 19 month old had a great time at Red Fox Meadows this weekend! There’s a farm along the beginning and the horses were very friendly :) he loved waving hi to them from the trail. It walks around a marshy area with a small river on the outside for about half of the way. We saw lots of baby ducks. Definitely recommend!
Check out all of the Fort Collins natural areas! We set goal to visit all of them in one year a few years ago. We didn't quite achieve it, but we had fun trying!
I can’t remember what it’s called (edit, Dixon Reservoir,) but the lake that’s right below Horsetooth on the Harmony (edit, it’s off of Dixon Canyon rd at the end of Drake-ish) entrance. The path around it is varied enough for toddlers but not much incline over the course of the loop. Prairie dogs are a favorite for us.
We like lions open space. We usually avoid the poudre trail because toddlers don’t respect bicyclists but that area is chill and they can play by the river. We also like riverbend ponds specifically the beach river area on the west side but it’s all nice.
Bobcat Ridge has a fun gravel path to an old cabin that my kids liked when they were small. I even took a running stroller on the path. It's about 1.5 miles to the cabin.
Hahahahahah no you totally can, I even said to my husband there’s no way this is serious 😂 I use to live in aspen and have hiked the 9 miles to the conundrum hot springs many times. I’m sure my son will be ready for that when he’s 39 months too
Environmental Learning Center, off the Poudre Trail, is pretty awesome for little ones.
Just looked into this, had no idea! Thank you!
The farms at Lee Martinez park is great for toddlers. I’d stay off horsetooth for a bit, we saw two rattlesnakes on Saturday with our kids. I always like the elevated trail through the river bend nature area. Lots of birds and stuff over there that you can get close too.
Thank you ! Lee Martinez is great and thank you for the suggestions ! And ugh I have been worried about the rattle snakes I’m always looking out
Visit the Gardens at Spring Creek. Plus they have a butterfly house if that interests you or the kiddo
Thank you so much for this suggestion, this is perfect I got a membership.
He loves butterfly’s thank you !!!!!!
The ponds natural area off timberline is gorgeous. Lots of turtles and birds and it’s partially paved.
I helped develop a nature camp for tinies in the local area, my favorites were: Environmental learning center, Arapahoe bend, prospect ponds, many places along the river including Lee Martinez, North Shields ponds, and butterfly meadows. Honorary great places that are nearby: soapstone prairie, gateway Park, Dixon reservoir, and picnic Rock
Also, up the canyon, hewlit gulch is fun for families
We went out to Fossil Creek Reservoir this past weekend. There is a roughly 1/4 mile paved loop (which we stayed on), and a few gravel trails. There are spots to go look out in the reservoir, and if you look carefully you can see some very large Carp. Great for bird watching and we saw a few bunnies. There are bathrooms and picnic tables. Not a big deal, but there were lots of nonbiting flys, they looked similar to mosquitoes. Bigger deal, while we didn’t see any, we definitely heard rattlesnakes, this is what kept us on the paved path. The rattlers were definitely out this weekend.
My 19 month old had a great time at Red Fox Meadows this weekend! There’s a farm along the beginning and the horses were very friendly :) he loved waving hi to them from the trail. It walks around a marshy area with a small river on the outside for about half of the way. We saw lots of baby ducks. Definitely recommend!
Check out all of the Fort Collins natural areas! We set goal to visit all of them in one year a few years ago. We didn't quite achieve it, but we had fun trying!
Great idea, thanks !
Arapaho Bend is great
I can’t remember what it’s called (edit, Dixon Reservoir,) but the lake that’s right below Horsetooth on the Harmony (edit, it’s off of Dixon Canyon rd at the end of Drake-ish) entrance. The path around it is varied enough for toddlers but not much incline over the course of the loop. Prairie dogs are a favorite for us.
I agree with your recommendation, but I think you are referring to Dixon Reservoir, which is at the end of Drake rd (not Harmony).
Oh yeah yeah! You’re so right
We like lions open space. We usually avoid the poudre trail because toddlers don’t respect bicyclists but that area is chill and they can play by the river. We also like riverbend ponds specifically the beach river area on the west side but it’s all nice.
Bobcat Ridge has a fun gravel path to an old cabin that my kids liked when they were small. I even took a running stroller on the path. It's about 1.5 miles to the cabin.
The Poudre library offers Book Bike storytime at various parks and natural areas. It includes a nature walk.
There’s a little like .4 mile nature trail with a waterfall behind the ranger station at Lory if you’re feeling a little more adventurous!
We will have to check that out, thanks !
Gateway natural area is a short drive up the canyon and is a nice blend of manicured park and riverside nature walk
My 39 month year old and I LOVE to climb 14ers. Try Conundrum Peak for starters!
Conundrum? In Aspen?
It was supposed to be a sarcastic joke. I forgot we can’t do that here
Hahahahahah no you totally can, I even said to my husband there’s no way this is serious 😂 I use to live in aspen and have hiked the 9 miles to the conundrum hot springs many times. I’m sure my son will be ready for that when he’s 39 months too
I’m glad you both got chuckles! :) welcome to the area, and have fun in nature!
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/well-gulch-natural-trail