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The scenic 2,711-acre Horsetooth Mountain Open Space (consisting of Culver, Soderberg, and Hughey Open Spaces) covers elevations from 5,430 to 7,255 feet. Its 29 miles of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails connect to the Blue Sky Trail and Lory State Park trails.
The outstanding Horsetooth Rock is a familiar local landmark visible from the plains. This open space is also known for Horsetooth Falls in the spring, and for tremendous Front Range views. Drinking water is available at the trailhead. Please carry enough for your hike or ride.
Horsetooth Mountain Open Space requires entrance permits, is open year round, and is located west of Horsetooth Reservoir, 4 miles from Fort Collins and 12 miles northwest of Loveland. Horsetooth Mountain Trailhead is open 24 hours a day; Soderberg Open Space Trailhead is open sunrise to sunset.
Camping is allowed in the backcountry only at designated sites and is prohibited in the parking lot. You must register using the backcountry logbook near the Horsetooth Mountain entrance. (First come, first served.) Check in with a ranger if you have any questions.
Moderate hike to a fantastic local destination. Plenty of switchbacks to guide you to the Falls. Gentle water flowing down into a pool. Family friendly dog friendly as well.
Amazing park, costs $10 for a day pass or you need an annual Larimer County Park Pass. A Colorado State Park Pass will not work. The hikes are very steep and it gets hot in the summer, make sure to bring lots of water. It is a great place for the family.
Love this place. Unbelievable that it's so close to town, yet you can feel like you're deep in the wilderness. Whether it's trail running like me, hiking, mountain biking, wildlife viewing, this place has something for everyone. Take a long trail with alot of elevation gain (Horsetooth Mountain Trail is a 9+ mile loop with over 2500 ft of gain) or a short, mostly flat one like the Shoreline Trail, whatever you like.
Keep an eye out for deer and wild turkeys, and listen for mountain bikes roaring down. They're all polite but they can be on you in a hurry.
Very cool space to explore. It's $10 for parking. I wandered over there at 2:30 pm and had no trouble finding parking. Nice place to hike with some tree coverage here and there (depending the route you take). I went left at the trailhead and spent most of my hike going uphill. Got to horsetooth mountain, the falls, and did a large loop coming down the right side in the end. Worth it if you're looking for a challenge. 👍🏽
Bears in the area so be alert and respectful.
I always appreciate the beauty of Northern Colorado and the emphasis these communities put on protecting and keeping wilderness spaces. This one is a favorite near my parents' home. Beautiful views, well marked trails, and easy access.
