Flagstaff Nature Center Opening
The Flagstaff Nature Center opened for the 2024 season on Friday, May 24.
If you haven't paid a visit to the Flagstaff Nature Center, please stop by during the summer and fall months. Admission is free.
The center is a great place to familiarize yourself with the wildlife, plants, wildflowers and other flora, and history of Open Space and Mountain Parks. Interactive activities and games at the center will challenge the child in all of us. Many stuffed animal mounts will show you who lives in the forests and grasslands about you. There are also displays and activities that teach about the geology and about open space management. A kid’s corner provides activities and books for the youngest members of our community to enjoy.
Volunteers will answer your questions about the displays and exhibits, as well as share map and trail information to help in planning a hike on one of our area trails.
Hours
Flagstaff Nature Center is usually open from 10:30 am - 4 pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, Memoria Day through September, when volunteers are available (there may be some weekend days when it is closed). This visitor center is staffed solely with OSMP volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering here or at OSMP please visit VolunteerOSMP.org.
Location
The Flagstaff Nature Center is located on the summit of Flagstaff Mountain and is accessed by following Flagstaff Road approximately 3.5 miles to Realization Point, where you take the side road to Flagstaff Summit. Go right on the Flagstaff Summit road, follow it approximately 0.5 miles to the parking and picnic areas on Flagstaff Mountain.
Parking
There is parking at the Flagstaff Nature Center. Visitors whose vehicles are not registered in Boulder County must possess either a daily or annual parking permit.
History
The original log cabin structure was constructed in 1981 and opened for the first time in August 1982. During 1996-97, a much larger addition was added to the west of the original cabin, tripling the size of the center. Professionally-designed exhibits were installed in 1998-99. Improved skylights and a solar-powered lighting system and alarm were added in 2001.
Funding for the nature centers' construction and displays has come from the City of Boulder, the Great Outdoors Colorado fund, the Dr. Scholl Foundation, Boulder Valley Rotary Club and a 1995 ballot initiative.
