HomeColoradoFort Collins › Cottonwood Hollow Natural Area

Cottonwood Hollow Natural Area

4.4 ★★★★☆ 38 Google reviews · Running trail in Fort Collins, Colorado · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Cottonwood Hollow 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.

ScenicDog-friendlyQuiet

What runners say about Cottonwood Hollow Natural Area

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (38 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 3 mentions

“If you want to see the witch in her element please do stop by this beautiful nature area.”

Peaceful and uncrowded. Plenty of trails and places to sit or fish by a pond or the Poudre river.

★★★★★ — Robert , Jun 2018

Easy hike with kids. There are learning signs along the path and some shady spots to enjoy during the short hike. Easy to access.

★★★★★ — Steven , Jun 2020

Love the water and open paths. Kid friendly walking. Easy parking. Trail offers dog bags if you don't have them. Decent outhouse. All this allows for an opportunity to just enjoy paths wth your dog/child without concern if a "need" emerges with self or little ones. Saw a person with a wheeled walker on path...

★★★★☆ — B.L. , Jan 2020

I like the trail that covers the riverbend ponds as well as cottonwood natural area ft co all these ponds were sand and gravel ponds when. I was a kid.a family member off mine worked for the company that dug the holes now ponds and created the natural area we have in the city that we all have.

★★★★★ — Jerry , Oct 2019

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 38 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🐕 Dog-friendly 7 mentions

“Trail offers dog bags if you don't have them.”

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🏞️ Scenic views 4 mentions

“If you want to see the witch in her element please do stop by this beautiful nature area.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 3 mentions

“Beautiful, peaceful stop!”

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Plan your run at Cottonwood Hollow Natural Area

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • 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.
  • 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

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Cottonwood Hollow Natural Area

3201 E Prospect Rd, Fort Collins, CO 80525

Get directions

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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Lush natural landscape featuring walking trails, ponds, a wildlife lookout & large deer population.

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Riverbend Ponds Natural Area

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Crushed gravelScenicDog-friendly

Natural river, wetlands & old gravel mine ponds with 3 miles of trails teeming with birdlife.

under a mile away

Kingfisher Point Natural Area

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Tranquil getaway offering walking trails in natural surrounds, wildlife & large ponds for fishing.

1.1 miles away

Arapaho Bend Natural Area

4.6 ★★★★★ 570 reviews

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LoopMixedScenicDog-friendly

Natural setting for fishing, birding & wildlife viewing, with 4 miles of trails around ponds.

2.2 miles away

Mallard's Nest Natural Area

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ScenicDog-friendly

Nature preserve offering kid-friendly hiking trails, a creek, and abundant wildlife.

2.2 miles away

Weitzel Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 12 reviews

Timnath, CO

ScenicDog-friendly

3.3 miles away

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Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.