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Featured National Recreation Trails

Alamosa South Bluff Trail — Located in the Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge, this 1.1-mile greenway offers opportunities to view Sandhill cranes, eagles, and river oxbows while hiking, mountain biking, or just taking a stroll.

Big Dry Creek Trail — The 10-mile trail is considered a haven for the residents of Westminster, a highly urbanized part of the Denver Metro area. The trail has been integrated into the community using a number of bridges and underpasses, providing users with safe connections to local schools, shopping centers and recreational facilities. In addition to abundant wildlife (including a pair of bald eagles) and native vegetation, the trail corridor includes interpretive signs explaining the area's Native American history. Bicyclists, equestrians, and wildlife enthusiasts are just some of the groups who enjoy what this trail has to offer in a densely populated setting (designated 2003).

Clear Creek Trail — This 6.5-mile family-friendly urban trail winds through the scenic Wheat Ridge Greenbelt, providing conservation benefits and recreational opportunities including biking, kayaking and bird watching

	Biking the Mineral Belt Trail near Leadville, Colorado

Mineral Belt Trail — This 12-mile trail features breathtaking views, connections to the State's mining and railroad history, and is a wonderful community resource that connects many important aspects of the town including the library, schools, hospital, and a senior living center. In addition, the trail also provides recreational opportunities including cross-country skiing and biking (designated 2002). Another article describes the trail's development. See more photos of the trail...

Monte Vista Walking Trail — Located in the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge, this 0.5-mile greenway is a bird watcher's paradise and provides habitat for waterfowl including mallards, egrets, and approximately 21,000 Sandhill cranes that migrate biannually through the area.

Poudre River Trail Corridor — This 9-mile trail provides recreational and educational opportunities to numerous community groups. The proposed 19-mile trail will interpret an important part of the State's history that many other mountain trails do not: agriculture, irrigation, and western water issues. In addition to the interpretive aspects, the trail offers access in and around those farming and ranching communities where there has been little recreational access in the past (designated 2002).

Rio Grande Nature Trail — Located in the Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge, this 1.8-mile greenway offers scenic views of the Rio Grande and Mt. Blanca, as well as opportunities to see a diversity of wildlife including raptors, porcupines, and coyotes.

Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR Interior Trail System — This trail system covers over 4 miles and offers nearby residents a natural haven in the midst of the rapidly developing Denver metro area. The Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is an urban refuge of more than 16,000 acres of open space and provides a window for fascinating wildlife observation. In addition to its scenic features, trail users can enjoy recreational activities such as hiking and fishing (designated 2005).

Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR Wetlands Loop Trail — Located in the midst of the rapidly developing Denver metro area, this interpretive trail spans almost two miles amidst prairie wetlands in the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). This refuge is comprised of more than 16,000 acres of open space and acts as a natural haven for area residents. The trail offers a diversity of visitors the opportunity to observe a variety of wildlife (such as prairie dogs and eagles) in their natural habitat (designated 2005).

Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Trail — Located near downtown Denver, this 1.5-mile trail serves an urban population yet provides visitors an opportunity to observe a variety of wildlife amidst wetlands and prairies. The Two Ponds NWR, extending over 72 acres, is a natural treasure for area residents, hosting beavers, herons, and over 113 bird species. In addition to its scenic features, this trail is heavily used for environmental education programs, which draw school children from throughout the area (designated 2005).

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