HomeColoradoLoveland › River's Edge Natural Area

River's Edge Natural Area

4.7 ★★★★★ 588 Google reviews · Running trail in Loveland, Colorado · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from River's Edge 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.

BoardwalkScenicDog-friendlyStroller / ADARestroomsTrailhead parkingQuiet

Scenic wetlands with a boardwalk, pathways & fishing ponds, plus picnic shelters & an amphitheater.

What runners say about River's Edge Natural Area

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (588 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 5 mentions

“There is no admission charge, just the request to clean up after yourself.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 9 mentions

“The fishing platforms along the lakes are a great place to stop and take in the beautiful views and listen to birds.”

🏃 great for running 2 mentions

“Great place to run or walk.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 3 mentions

“All around great place for the outdoors seekers , family gathering and last but not least peaceful.”

Great place to run or walk. A number of ponds are circled by trail that make up about a 2 mile run. Well marked and maintained. Located close to some ball fields, pickle ball courts, and kids playground.

★★★★★ — Mitch , Aug 2022

This park was the destination for this seasons first long bike ride. It’s a great place for a peaceful timeout to watch birds or have a leisurely stroll on the paths. There’s plenty of places to sit and observe wildlife. Fishing is allowed and I watched someone and pull a 14 inch fish out of the pond!

★★★★★ — Ls , May 2024

What an awesome time! This was a gravel pit in the 70s and 80s, now reclaimed natural habitat. Outstanding job of giving back to the local wildlife. We were there for a guided birding tour which was so much fun and nicely done. We will be going back again and again.

★★★★★ — Sherrie , Mar 2018

This is a really nice area to walk/jog/bike around! I particularly love being close to all the water! Also enjoy all the options of routes you can take. It's easy smooth paths with plenty of space for multiple people to use.

★★★★★ — Elly , Oct 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 588 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.

🏞️ Scenic views 12 mentions

“Tons of interesting birds, lots of easy trails, and some nice Mountain Views you can’t go wrong coming here on a nice day.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 9 mentions

“And there is a dog park at the end of the trail, which I find is a great way for the mutt and I to play and then walk back on the trail for a great day of exercise.”

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Stroller / ADA accessible 4 mentions

“Good trails, nice fishing ponds, and accessible for little kids (and close to a playground as well)”

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🚻 Restrooms 3 mentions

“Very clean bathrooms and security cameras over parking and picnic.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 3 mentions

“This is great because of the location, multiple parking lots, it's a nice place for a picnic, a stroll around one of the many ponds.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 3 mentions

“All around great place for the outdoors seekers , family gathering and last but not least peaceful.”

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🪵 Boardwalk

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Plan your run at River's Edge Natural Area

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceBoardwalk — flat and scenic, and slick when wet, so watch your footing
  • 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.
  • Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
  • Websitelovgov.org
  • Phone+1 970-962-2327

Hours

Monday 6 am–10:30 pm
Tuesday 6 am–10:30 pm
Wednesday 6 am–10:30 pm
Thursday 6 am–10:30 pm
Friday 6 am–10:30 pm
Saturday 6 am–10:30 pm
Sunday 6 am–10:30 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 River's Edge Natural Area

960 W 1st St, Loveland, CO 80537

Get directions

Running trails near Loveland

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Cottonwood Run Natural Area

4.3 ★★★★☆ 3 reviews

Loveland, CO

under a mile away

South Shore Parkway

4.7 ★★★★★ 652 reviews

Loveland, CO

Scenic

Scenic area by the lake with fishing, sculptures & a recreation trail for hiking & dog-walking.

1.0 miles away

Old St. Louis Natural Area

4.5 ★★★★★ 35 reviews

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Dog-friendly

1.4 miles away

Boise Bend Natural Area

4.6 ★★★★★ 36 reviews

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ScenicDog-friendly

1.8 miles away

Willow Bend Park and Natural Area

4.8 ★★★★★ 80 reviews

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ShadedScenic

2.5 miles away

Meadowbrook Natural Area

4.5 ★★★★★ 4 reviews

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2.7 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.