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Ken and I are always looking for new trails and open space to explore and thankfully the Front Range is chock-full of adventure-worthy nature areas. Perfect for walkers, bikers, runners, families, and even inline skaters, Longmont’s ten greenways allow citizens to navigate throughout the city away from streets and cars. Often following waterways and ditches, these paths not only connect parks and other trails, they protect natural habitats. One of the more centrally located paths is the St. Vrain Greenway. Traveling east to west, the trail connects Golden Ponds to Sandstone Ranch. It is approximately nine miles in length, has a paved surface, and meanders along the St. Vrain Creek for much of its length. As part of the Colorado Front Range Trail plan, the St. Vrain Greenway will eventually be part of a trail system that runs all the way from Wyoming to New Mexico! While leashed dogs are allowed along most of the Greenway, they are restricted (leashed or unleashed) from the east of County Line Road (County Line Trailhead) as you approach Sandstone Ranch. |
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Map courtesy of Alltrails. If you’re looking to cool off in the summer, the St. Vrain Greenway provides easy access to St. Vrain Creek. Grab your tube, kayak, or paddleboard and head to the designated Main Street access point. Takeout points are marked with signs at Martin Street and the 119th Street Trailhead. Walk back along the Greenway when you’ve finished your mini voyage. Remember to check weather and water conditions beforehand and follow city safety guidelines! Along the Way Because it bisects much of Longmont, St. Vrain Greenway provides access to a number of parks, trails, and businesses. At Golden Ponds Nature Area you’ll find 2.6 miles of nature trails, a fishing pier (ADA-accessible), restrooms and several picnic shelters. With four ponds and 56 acres of water, you’re likely to see birds like great blue herons and cormorants. Also keep an eye out for other wildlife and the small waterfall. Because this is a natural habitat for so many critters it’s especially important to keep dogs leashed here. Continuing west along the Greenway will bring you through Roger's Grove and Izaak Walton Parks as well as Dickens Farm Nature Area and the Longmont Mountain Bike Park. Lefthand Brewery and Shoes & Brews Running Store are right off the Greenway. Take a half mile detour up Main Street to visit a number of coffee shops, restaurants, bookstores, breweries, galleries and other small businesses.
Traveling the rest of the way along the St. Vrain Greenway will bring you to Sandstone Ranch. This 313 acre park encompasses natural and historic areas and includes a variety of facilities for outdoor activities. Visitors have access to a skate park and playground, sports fields, picnic shelters, and trails. Housed in a historic homestead from 1860, the Visitor’s & Learning Center curates exhibits on the natural and cultural history of the area. The Learning Center also offers nature and art education classes and events, many of which are free. Please be sure to review the most up-to-date information on trail closures on the Trail Status Map. Until next time! Ken and Allison |
