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Arapaho Bend Natural Area
4.6 ★★★★★ 570 Google reviews · Running trail in Fort Collins, Colorado · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Arapaho Bend Natural Area's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Natural setting for fishing, birding & wildlife viewing, with 4 miles of trails around ponds.
What runners say about Arapaho Bend Natural Area
“What a beautiful place to take a walk or go for a bike ride with your family!”
“There are a ton of little ponds you can walk around to, the trails are all super flat and easy so this is just a relaxing place to visit and hang out by a calm pond!”
Today was my first time visiting the Arapahoe Bend Natural Area and I loved it! The leaves are what attracted me to this spot in the first place and I couldn't believe how yellow the trees were here!
Lots of open space to explore or investigate and plenty of nooks that are suitable for solitude in reading, writing, tanning, etcetera. The pup certainly was a fan of the vast natural area as well as the access to water. A great spot any time of year to visit in your free time with lots of paths to check out!
Arapahoe bends has a lovely lake/pond which is perfect for fishing or kayaking (no swimming allowed). The lake is about half a mile long with several small islands and walking paths thru trees and shaded areas.
Great place for easy hiking. There are two loops around two ponds, so easy to pick your length of hike or biking. South loop had some shade, north loop none, so plan accordingly. Parts are close to I-25, so you will get some traffic noise at times, but the payoff is a spectacular panorama of the mountains.
Trail conditions & character
“What a beautiful place to take a walk or go for a bike ride with your family!”
“I've taken dogs for walks here several times and it's a great easy trail with varying pathways.”
“South loop had some shade, north loop none, so plan accordingly.”
“Seen a pair of bald eagles across from parking lot and enjoyed nature hike as it was pretty warm for mid December”
“There's a paved sidewalk for running and strollers or trails right alongside the stream for a bit more of an adventure.”
“There are a ton of little ponds you can walk around to, the trails are all super flat and easy so this is just a relaxing place to visit and hang out by a calm pond!”
Plan your run at Arapaho Bend Natural Area
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitefcgov.com
- Phone(970) 416-2815
Hours
| Monday | 5 AM–11 PM |
| Tuesday | 5 AM–11 PM |
| Wednesday | 5 AM–11 PM |
| Thursday | 5 AM–11 PM |
| Friday | 5 AM–11 PM |
| Saturday | 5 AM–11 PM |
| Sunday | 5 AM–11 PM |
Running trails near Fort Collins
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Running Deer Natural Area
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Riverbend Ponds Natural Area
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Natural river, wetlands & old gravel mine ponds with 3 miles of trails teeming with birdlife.
