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Riverbend Ponds Natural Area
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,031 Google reviews · Running trail in Fort Collins, Colorado · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Crushed gravel
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Riverbend Ponds 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 river, wetlands & old gravel mine ponds with 3 miles of trails teeming with birdlife.
What runners say about Riverbend Ponds Natural Area
“It's a flat walk, about 2 miles around, in a beautiful, natural setting.”
“We love this spot for how quiet it is, the amount of water you get to hike by, and it's great proximity to so many things.”
Great small park with plenty of ponds. It is a nice location for a walk, run, dog walk, fishing, or just solitude. There were other cars here but I only ran into a couple of people. Everybody is pretty well spread out. There isn't a whole lot of tree coverage.
Such a wonderful, scenic place. You'd never know you're right in the middle of a busy town. Lots of wildlife, even on a cold, windy day.
The trail was amazing, a nice casual stroll, with beautiful views. Every turn produced a stunning opportunity, gorgeous colors of leaves against a serene sky. The later it got, the more beautiful it was. Great place for a photo shoot, a bike ride, a leisurely walk, or even fishing.
I love the trails here, great place to bring your bike too! Looking forward to spending more time here this summer.
Trail conditions & character
“It's a flat walk, about 2 miles around, in a beautiful, natural setting.”
“We love this spot for how quiet it is, the amount of water you get to hike by, and it's great proximity to so many things.”
“Fellow visitors so far have been kind and everyone seems to abide by leash laws.”
“It's a flat walk, about 2 miles around, in a beautiful, natural setting.”
“There is a restroom in the NE parking area, I have not been in it so I cannot speak to cleanliness.”
“There is a restroom in the NE parking area, I have not been in it so I cannot speak to cleanliness.”
“All gravel roads, mostly flat, mostly in the sun.”
Plan your run at Riverbend Ponds Natural Area
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceCrushed gravel — the rail-trail classic: softer than asphalt, still smooth enough for tempo work
- 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, restrooms — 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 |
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Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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