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Horsetooth Mountain Open Space

Know BEFORE you go

CoTrex Trail ReportsHorsetooth Mountain Open Space is a heavily visited destination. Plan to arrive before 9 a.m. or after 3 p.m. as the open space will likely reach capacity, especially on weekends in the busy season. Avoid the wait - come early or late! Check Colorado Trail Explorer (COTREX) at https://trails.colorado.gov for the most up-to-date trail conditions, closures, and alerts. Or check under the "Trails & Weather" tab below.

West of Fort Collins

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.

Learn more about the Horsetooth Mountain Management Plan Update 2021

Brochure
 
Brochure (Spanish)
 
Trail Map
 
Entrance Permits
 
Regulations Brochure

Features

Biking
Drinking Water
Hiking
Horseback Riding
Permit Required
Picnic Area
Restroom
Webcam

Accordion

Map

Horsetooth Reservoir

From Denver:

  1. Take I-25 north to the Harmony Road/Timnath exit (#265).
  2. Turn left (west) continuing on Harmony Road for 7 miles where it becomes County Road 38E at the Taft Hill Road intersection.
  3. Continue west on County Road 38E approximately 4 more miles to the entrance at the south end of the Reservoir.

    The entrance to South Bay (including campground, Group Pavilion, and swim beach) is at the south end of the reservoir. Watch for signs. To get to Inlet Bay (including Inlet Bay Marina and Inlet Bay Campground), continue west on 38E 1 3/4 miles past the South Bay entrance. Watch for signs and turn right on Shoreline Drive.

From Loveland:

  1. From Highway 34 (Eisenhower) go north on Wilson. Wilson becomes Taft Hill Road in Fort Collins. Turn left (west) onto County Road 38E and continue west to the reservoir.
  2. Continue directions from #3 above.

From Fort Collins:

  1. From Harmony and Taft Hill Road turn west onto County Road 38E.

    Continue from #3 above

Horsetooth Mountain Open Space

Follow the directions above to the Horsetooth Reservoir South Bay entrance. Continue west on County Road 38E about 21/2 miles from the South Bay Entrance or 1 mile from the Inlet Bay Entrance (Shoreline Drive). The parking area and trailhead are on the north side of the road.

Soderberg Trailhead

Follow the directions above to the Horsetooth Reservoir Inlet Bay entrance. Turn right on Shoreline Drive, continuing 1.2 miles to the Soderberg Trailhead on the west side of the road.