Reservoir Ridge Natural Area
Rocky foothills hike with panoramic views and a stream crossing
About this park
Reservoir Ridge Natural Area is a rugged open-space preserve on the northwest edge of Fort Collins, with several miles of exposed trails that climb through grasslands and rock outcroppings to ridge-top views. Dogs hike here on leash and will find a bridge stream crossing roughly 25 minutes in from the trailhead. No shade on most routes, so this is a morning outing in summer.
Amenities
Reservoir Ridge Natural Area reviews
What visitors consistently sayThe ridge-top views and the boulder scrambles at the summit carry the trail, and one reviewer describes rest spots up top worth sitting down with a book. Reservoir Ridge is free to enter, well signed, and has enough parking that a weekday visit is rarely a problem.
Weekday mornings are the quiet window, and one hiker uses the trails for training laps because they are close and never crowded. Even a midday Sunday left the lot at about five cars.
Best for
Before you go
Bring water for both of you; the trail is fully exposed and gets hot by midday in summer. Crowds stay light even on a Sunday afternoon, so time a visit around heat rather than traffic. Some sections are rocky enough to be hard on older dogs.
Frequently asked
- Do dogs need a leash at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area?
- Yes. Leashes apply across the Fort Collins natural areas, this one included. Reviewers mention rangers on the trails and heavy cycling traffic, both good reasons to keep a dog close.
- Is there shade or water for a dog?
- No shade on the main routes. A bridge about 25 to 30 minutes in from the trailhead gives a dog somewhere to cool off, and the rest is a hot, exposed walk.
- How rough is the footing?
- Rocky. Reviewers describe boulders to climb over and steep pitches, and one watched an experienced cyclist carrying a bike uphill. It is hard going for an older dog or soft paws.
- Is there a fee, and how is parking?
- Entry is free, and reviews describe plenty of parking and good signage at the trailhead. One reviewer mentions paid parking at some lots elsewhere in the area, so the sign at the lot is the thing to read.
- When is it least crowded?
- Early on a weekday. One regular runs training hikes then and never finds a crowd; even a midday Sunday held only a handful of cars.
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