Biking on Open Space & Mountain Parks

Over 48 miles of trails on Open Space and Mountain Parks are designated for use by bicyclists.  Completion of Trail Study Area Plans for Marshall Mesa and Doudy Draw have resulted in trail improvements including the addition of several new multiple use trails that offer wonderful biking opportunities.  Please remember that bikes may only be ridden on trails that are posted with the international bicycle symbol.  Do not ride on trails that are posted as "no bikes" or that do not have a sign indicating bikes are allowed; bikes are not allowed to ride off-trail.  Rangers will issue a summons to bikers caught riding off-trail, or on trails where biking is prohibited.

 Check out a video on trail etiquette from Boulder Mountainbike Alliance.

We all enjoy OSMP in different ways. Expect to encounter other visitors on trails.  Be courteous and share the trail so that everyone can have an enjoyable experience.

When biking on OSMP:

• Yield the right-of-way to all other trail users and cyclists traveling uphill.
• Anticipate other trail users around corners and blind spots; be prepared to stop.
• Pass with care and alert others in advance of your approach.
• Control your speed at all times.  Safe speeds vary with trail conditions and the business of the trail.
• Practice minimum impact cycling: avoid muddy trails, skidding, hard braking and shortcutting.  Riding on wet or muddy trails causes serious trail erosion and may result in a temporary trail closure.
• Ride only on paved roads and designated bike trails.
• Don't bring dogs along for the ride.

Leave No Trace on Open Space and Mountain Parks!
See OSMP's bike regulations.

Join Boulder Mountain Bike Patrol

The Boulder Mountain Bike Patrol is a multi-agency program with the City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP), Boulder County Parks and Open Space (BCPOS), U.S. Forest Service (USFS), and Boulder Mountain Bike Association (BMA). Patrollers ride trails, assisting and educating mountain bikers and other park users. The goal is to promote a positive recreational experience on the trails. Follow this link to learn more.

OSMP Trails Open to Bikes

Greenbelt Plateau Trail

Difficulty - easy
Distance - 1.6 miles
Surface - gravel

This gentle trail travels across a rolling mesa top through open grasslands. Beautiful views of the foothills may be seen to the west as the trail follows the old Highway 93 alignment northward. At 1.3 miles, bicyclists may choose to take the dirt path to Community Ditch Trail or continue on the service road to Highway 93.

Elevation Profile for Marshall Valley area 1.88 Mb

Access -

Greenbelt Plateau Trailhead

High Plains Trail

Difficulty - easy
Distance - 2.5 miles
Surface - gravel / dirt

High Plains trail snakes gently through the sweeping vistas of the Southern Grasslands Habitat Conservation Area , giving a taste of the wide open prairie of pre-settlement days. Because of the area's sensitivity to disturbance and abundant breeding wildlife, off trail travel is only allowed with a permit. Watch for animals as you go: Western Meadowlarks and Vesper Sparrows are common in grassy areas, while you may spy a Northern Oriole or Blue Grosbeak in the shrubs along Coal Creek. With luck, you might glimpse a Bald Eagle or even an elk! The eastern terminus the High Plains trail connects with the Coalton Trail.

Elevation Profile for Marshall Valley area 1.88 Mb

Access -

Greenbelt Plateau Trailhead

Community Ditch Trail

Difficulty - moderate
Distance - 4 miles
Surface - dirt service road/trail

This trail travels through rolling grasslands and mesas. Evidence of past agricultural practices as well as early coal mining activity can be seen throughout the area. A paved trail accessible to wheelchairs begins at Doudy Draw Trailhead and travels 0.3-mile to a picnic area with restrooms. A dirt path continues on to a junction at Community Ditch bridge. From here, bicyclists may continue east on Community Ditch Trail (a dirt service road that crosses Highway 93 and travels east to Marshall Mesa), or follow Doudy Draw trail to the Flatirons Vista trailhead on Highway 93 (see below).

Click on the link below for a brochure and map:
Doudy Draw - Flatirons Visita biking brochure (426.97 Kb)

Elevation Profile for Marshall Valley area 1.88 Mb

Elevation Profile for Doudy Draw/Flatirons Vista area 2.51 Mb

Access -

Doudy Draw Trailhead, Flatirons Vista Trailhead, Marshall Mesa Trailhead

Doudy Draw / Flatirons Vista

Difficulty- moderate
Distance- 2.2 miles
Surface- dirt/gravel (0.3 mile paved section at Doudy Draw Trailhead)

Access this trail from either the Doudy Draw Trailhead, or the Flatirons Vista Trailhead. Starting at Doudy Draw, the trail begins on pavement for 0.3 mi, but changes to dirt and connects with Community Ditch (see above). The Spring Brook Loop (see below) can be accessed from Doudy Draw 0.7 mi past the intersection with Community Ditch. The Doudy Draw trail continues up the West side of the creek, crossing it and climbs a steep hill to the top of a mesa with fabulous views of the Front Range. Either Flatirons Vista North or Flatirons Vista South, a loop trail on the mesa, may be traveled to get to the Flatirons Vista Trailhead on Highway 93. A new wheel chair accessible trail, Prairie Vista, provides a connection between the two branches of Flatirons Vista Trail. By crossing the highway at the stop light, bikes may access the Greenbelt Plateau and High Plains trails and the Marshall Mesa area. Bicycles may be ridden only on those trails that are posted with the international bicycle symbol.

Click on the link below for a brochure and map:
Doudy Draw - Flatirons Visita biking brochure (426.97 Kb)

Elevation Profile for Doudy Draw/Flatirons Vista area 2.51 Mb

Access -

Doudy Draw Trailhead, Flatirons Vista Trailhead

Spring Brook

Access this trail from either the Doudy Draw Trailhead, or the Flatirons Vista Trailhead. Starting from the Doudy Draw trail, the Spring Brook trail heads west for 0.3 mi before splitting into the North and South loops, which are 1.2 and 1.1 mi long, respectively. The Spring Brook Loop Trail passes through habitats of rare and sensitive wildlife species, and forests and grasslands abundant with native plants. Bikes may also take the connection along Fowler Trail to access County Road 67.

Starting from the Flatirons Vista Trailhead, Flatirons Vista North or Flatirons Vista South may be traveled to get to the Doudy Draw trail. The Spring Brook Loop Trail can be accessed by following Doudy Draw 1 mile past the junction with Flatirons Vista. Bikes must remain on trail and may be ridden only on those trails that are posted with the international bike symbol. Bikes are not allowed on Goshawk Ridge Trail.

Elevation Profile for Doudy Draw/Flatirons Vista area 2.51 Mb

Access -

Doudy Draw Trailhead, Flatirons Vista Trailhead

South Boulder Creek Trail

Surface - gravel trail / service road, cement between Bobolink trailhead and East Boulder Community Center

A dirt path meanders near South Boulder Creek, through open pasture from the bridge at the East Boulder Community Center to an underpass at South Boulder Road. Bikes must use the paved path on the section of trail from Baseline Road and Cherryvale to the junction with the trail from the East Boulder Community Center. From the South Boulder Road underpass, the trail travels west along South Boulder Road to an entry gate. The trail ends at Marshall Road, just east of Hwy 93. South Boulder Creek and the surrounding area provide important habitat for numerous wildlife species. Dogs are not permitted on the section of trail south of South Boulder Road.

Access -

Bobolink Trailhead East Boulder Community Center Cherryvale Trailhead

East Boulder Trail

This seven-mile trail has been divided into three sections:

The Teller Farm section follows an easy gravel service road for 2.2 miles of level terrain. All travel is restricted to designated trails and dogs are not allowed due to the sensitive nature of the White Rocks Preserve.

The White Rocks section is moderately difficult and follows a combination of dirt trails and service roads for 2.7 miles, the last mile of which climbs a mesa. Teller Lake is a wildlife preserve and dogs must be leashed within 100 yards of the lake.

The Gunbarrel Farm section begins in the northeast corner of Heatherwood subdivision and travels along a dirt service road with moderate grades. At 1.2 miles, the trail turns east and enters the White Rocks area. No dogs are allowed in the White Rocks Preserve.

Access -

South Trailhead, Teller Farms North Trailhead, Teller Farms, White Rocks Trailhead Gunbarrel neighborhood access located at intersection of Boulderado and Cambridge streets. No parking is available.

Cottonwood Trail

This trail travels between Independence and Jay roads along a tree-lined agricultural ditch. A concrete bike path continues south from the trailhead on Independence Road.

Access -

Cottonwood Trailhead Parking lot at the trailhead on Independence Road. The gate entrance on Jay Road 0.5 mile east of the Diagonal Highway is an access point with no parking.

Foothills Trail

The trail begins at Foothills Nature Center and travels west for 0.2 mile to Wonderland Lake. Cyclists can choose to circle the lake for an easy 1.3 miles or continue north along an improved dirt trail to Lee Hill Road. The trail continues on a gravel service road to the intersection with the Hogback Ridge Trail. Cyclists must continue east on the dirt path to the Foothills Trailhead. This trail is within the city limits of Boulder and dogs must be kept on a hand-held leash at all times.

Access -

Wonderland Lake Trailhead, Four-Mile Creek Trailhead, Foothills Trailhead

Boulder Valley Ranch Trails

These trails primarily follow farm access roads through a working ranch.

Eagle Trail is moderately difficult and begins at Eagle Trailhead, traveling west through Boulder Valley Ranch along a gravel service road. At 1.3 miles, the trail climbs a steep dirt path up a mesa and continues another 1.9 miles to Foothills Trailhead.

Sage Trail follows an easy gravel ranch access road for 1.2 miles. This trail connects with Eagle Trail in two locations, making a nice loop through Boulder Valley Ranch.

Access -

Foothills Trailhead, Boulder Valley Ranch Trailhead, Eagle Trailhead

More Visitor Links

»Trail Maps
»Trail Descriptions
»Climbers
»Visiting with Dogs
»Rules and Regulations
»Wildlife Closures
»Leave No Trace on Open Space

Last Updated on Thursday, 15 November 2012 14:09