Author: Cecilia

Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests

Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests
These mountain Forests in north central Colorado include popular destinations such as Guanella Pass, Alpine Central Railroad Grade trail, Brainard Lake Recreation Area and the Mount Goliath Natural Area.
Supervisor’s Office 970-295-6600. The National Forests website.    Links to Maps
Brainard Lake Recreation Area  Although trails leading from Brainard Lake are not particularly easy, you can  enjoy walking around the lake’s margins.  Watch out for moose!  Here is their website.
Alpine Central Railroad Grade  As long as you want to do, but 3 miles to Pavilion Point.  The trail starts at Silver Plume and goes 13 miles to Mt. McClellan.  Here it is described by the Hiking Project.
Guanella Pass   Most of the trails from the top of Guanella Pass are too long and steep in places to be included here.  However, it is an easy drive from Georgetown to the parking lots at this above-timberline destination,  There are flowers and beautiful views and a toilet!  Here is a description of some trails that lead off of the pass.  And another website about the pass area.
Rainbow Lakes Trail c 2.6 miles round trip along a series of 9 small lakes and beaver ponds.  Said to be easy but rocky in places.  Another place to watch out for moose. It is north of Nederland.   Phone 303-541-2500.  Reviewed by AllTrails.   Here is the Forest Service’s description and directions, but they have accidentally included it in the webpages for Lincoln National Forest in New Mexico.

Look farther down this Federal section to see listings specifically for Roosevelt National Forest and the Pawnee National Grasslands.

City of Fort Collins

City of Fort Collins
Fort Collins has a lot natural areas, many of them with paved or easy trails.
Wheelchair AccessibleFossil Creek Trail 5.17 miles paved.  “…runs through the Cathy Fromme Prairie Natural Area along Fossil Creek. It extends west and north to meet the Spring Creek Trail at Spring Canyon Park.”
Wheelchair AccessiblePoudre Trail 12.3 miles paved.   From traillink.com  “…follows the meandering course of the Poudre River from the Bellevue Watson Fish Hatchery to Colorado State University’s Environmental Learning Center on East Drake. The trail passes through wooded corridors and among agricultural and natural areas, small lakes and holding ponds, parks and light industrial sites.”   Natural Areas crossed or bordered by the Poudre Trail include Butterfly Woods , Gustav Swanson, Homestead, Willams, Springer, Riverbend Ponds, Kingfisher Point, Cattail Chorus, Prospect Ponds, and Arapahoe Bend.

Wheelchair AccessibleArapaho Bend Natural Area    Map  “About 4 miles of natural surface and paved trail follow the edge of the ponds in a loop and encircle Rigden Reservoir.”
North Shields Ponds   Map  “1.5 miles of natural surface trail, wheelchair accessible fishing deck…”
Wheelchair AccessibleCoyote Ridge Natural Area  “The Hidden Clues Trail is a 1/4 mile interpretive loop located about 1 mile into the site. The interpretive loop is wheelchair accessible. The City will make arrangements for groups of persons with limited mobility to have vehicle access to the accessible trail loop. Call 970-416-2815 or email…”
Wheelchair AccessibleFischer Natural Area  0.3 mile of the paved Spring Creek Trail

Wheelchair AccessibleFossil Creek Reservoir Natural Area  Heron Loop 0.25,  Trail Map

Wheelchair Accessible?  Magpie Meander Natural Area  Map 0.16 miles of natural surface trail looks as if it is accessible.  There is an accessible fishing pier.
Wheelchair AccessibleMallards Nest Natural Area  0.4 mil of Spring Creek Trail

Wheelchair AccessiblePelican Marsh Natural Area   Map  “There is about 1 mile of flat trail including a paved trail connecting Water’s Way Park to Carpenter Road, a gravel trail along Carpenter Road and a paved trail from Water’s Way Park to a wildlife viewing area of Robert Benson Reservoir.”
Pineridge Natural Area  1.8 mile soft surface loop round Dixon Reservoir.

Red Fox Meadows Natural Area
Map  1 mile of flat soft surface
Reservoir Ridge Natural Area  Map  The Parking lot at Overland Trail Rd is at start of an “easy flat trail” 1.4 miles.
Riverbend Ponds Natural Area   Map  In addition to the Poudre Trail, there are “About three miles of natural surface trails and a boardwalk from the Cherly St. entrance.”
Wheelchair AccessibleRoss Natural Area  0.7 mile of paved Spring Creek Trail goes through this area.
Wheelchair AccessibleSalyer Natural Area  Map  0.3 mile paved and 0.3 miles natural surface.

Wheelchair AccessibleSoapstone Prairie Natural Area  Map  Brochure
Lindenmeier Overlook trail  0.25 paved to pavillion with interpretive signs.
Wheelchair AccessibleThe Coterie Natural Area  0.1 mile of the paved Spring Creek Trail

Wheelchair AccessibleTwo Creeks Natural Area  0.2 mile paved.  Nearest parking is in Fossil Creek Park 5821 S. Lemay Ave.
Map of Wheelchair Accessible Trails    Trails  Map of Natural Areas
Parks 970-221-6660  Recreation  970-221-6655
Natural Areas  970-416-2815 Rangers 970-416-2147

Hot Springs State Park

Hot Springs State Park
More than 8,000 gallons of water from mineral hot springs flow over colorful terraces along the Big Horn River at Thermopolis every 24 hours.  The park has a free bath house where the water is maintained at 104 degrees.
Here is the park website. Phone  307-864-2176  travelwyoming.com     Brochure & Map
Wheelchair AccessibleTerrace Walk  boardwalk/paved trail 0.4 mi out and back

Rainbow Terraces Loop  0.8 mi  All Trails says it is good “for all skill levels.”   Description in Hiking Project.

Edness K. Wilkins State Park

Edness K. Wilkins State Park
This park, six miles from Casper, is perfect for picnics.  There are over 40 picnic areas shaded by cottonwood trees.  A swimming pond is nearby.  It is rated an important birding area.
Here is the Park website.  Brochure & Map  Phone  307-577-5150
Wheelchair Accessible“The Park features 2.8 miles of handicapped-accessible hard-surfaced paths and a handicapped-accessible fishing pier, the only one like it in the state.”

Curt Gowdy State Park

Curt Gowdy State Park
“Wildlife and opportunities for recreation abound at Curt Gowdy State Park and its three reservoirs. …Enjoy abundant wildflower, and wildlife viewing…”  There are two ADA fishing piers.
Here is the Park website.   Trail Map   Brochure     Phone 307-632-7946
Wheelchair AccessibleKate’s Trail is a 1 mile concrete trail starting and finishing at the Visitor Center.
? Shoreline Trail   2.64 miles  Along the shore of Granite Springs Reservoir.  This is used by mountain bikers as well as hikers and may not be easy enough for you.  Check first.

Bear River State Park

Bear River State Park
“Bear River State Park is a day use only park comprised of 324 acres. It is home to small herds of bison and elk and boasts several miles of both paved and packed gravel trails.”
Here is the Park website.  Phone  307-789-6547    Brochure & Map
Wheelchair AccessibleBear River Trail 1.2 mile    From the Travel Information Center and along Bear River. The website does not describe individual trails but the map shows an ADA compliant paved trail.  “Nearly 3 miles of foot trails are within park limits. This includes 1.2 miles of paved trail and an arched footbridge that crosses the Bear River, allowing access to a natural area. Another 1.7 miles of packed gravel trails are on the west side of the river.”

Bridger-Teton National Forest

Bridger-Teton National Forest
“Located in Western Wyoming, the Bridger-Teton offers more than 3.4 million acres of public land for your outdoor recreation enjoyment. With its pristine watersheds, abundant wildlife and immense wildlands, the Bridger-Teton National Forest comprises a large part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem…”
Here is the Forest Website.  Phone  307-739-5500
The following trails are described as easy, but some may be more for bikers than hikers.    Try calling the trail supervisor at 307-739-5414 for current conditions and an idea of just how easy or not these trails really are.
? Hagen Highway Trail  1.5 miles

? Hagen River Trail 1 mile

? KC Trail 0.99 mile

? Linda’s Trail  0.28 mile

?Snow King Nature Trail 0.56 mile loop  “This trail is a short loop on top of Snow King Mountain that loops out the ridge and back.  It offers great views in all directions as well as lots of flowers. ”
Gros Ventre Wilderness
? Gros Ventre Geological Trail  a .43 interpretive loop

Big Horn National Forest

Big Horn National Forest
“No region in Wyoming is provided with a more diverse landscape – from grasslands to alpine meadows, clear lakes to glacially-carved valleys and rolling hills to sheer mountain cliffs. “
Here is the Forest website.  Phone 307-674-2600  Webpage with links to downloadable maps
Little Goose Canyon The first 1.75 miles of this 2.8 miles hike trail is not very steep and is rated easy by the Hiking Project. 
? Sawmill Lakes Trail  #022  0.8 mile   This is described as an “Easy trail for day hiking. Accesses Sawmill Lakes. Gently climbs in elevation. Suitable for family outings.”  You would be wise to call the Tongue Ranger District at 307-674-2600 for better information.
FS Trail #024 1.7 mile

Greenbelt Trail 2.3 mile gradual ascent.

Lower Loop 0.9 mile 1 mile loop see Hiking Project.

?  Lake Helen Trail – the first mile or so of this trail is pretty level and is described as “good for all skill levels” by AllTrails.