Open Space and Mountain Parks

Boulder's Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) are a very special place. The open space lands teem with native plants and wildlife and are home to threatened and endangered species. They serve as a buffer between Boulder and nearby development. They sustain agriculture uses and add untold benefits to the natural environment - clean air, water, and earth.

The lands shape the urban mosaic of the Boulder Valley and provide residents with passive recreation opportunities. Trails are used by walkers, hikers, bicyclists, horseback riders, dog walkers and other passive recreational uses.

OSMP Alerts

Covid-19 Alerts| Practice Responsible Recreation

For more information on the alerts below, please visit the Covid-19 Recovery page:

Plan ahead and consider recreating closer to home as parking is extremely limited - especially on Flagstaff Mountain.
Follow all open space regulations and public health orders.
Maintain 6 feet of physical distance from anyone not in your household. Limit gatherings.
Protect vulnerable community members. Always bring a face covering when leaving your home. If you’re older than 12, wear it if you can’t maintain 6 feet of distance from others.
Remember: Leave No Trace! Pick up trash and dog waste. Stay on trail and walk through mud. Step off if you need to maintain distance but quickly step back on trail.
Protect first responders. Know your limits and don’t take unnecessary risks.

Stay-up-to-date: Visit OSMP's interactive trails map to see historic data that shows areas of high and low use, OSMP trails that are wider than 6 feet and trail areas with suggested one-way/directional travel.

Text "OSMP" to 888-777 to receive important open space updates.
Follow us on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram .
Visit OSMPTrails.org to see historic data that shows areas of high and low open space use and trails that are wider than 6 feet. See when trails are busiest through our Visitation Data Explorer .

Trail/Trailhead Closures

Please see the temporary closures page for more details on the trail closures below. OSMP's interactive trail map also shows these longer-term trail closures and restrictions:

Buckingham Park Trailhead temporary closure June 10, 2020: The trailhead will be closed one day for maintenance.
Gregory Canyon restroom closed: The restroom is temporarily closed because of maintenance issues.
Muddy trail closures: Please check the trail map or temporary closures page for any muddy trail closures.
Boulder Falls closure: Boulder Falls will be closed beginning 10/21 because of road construction in the area.

Project Updates & Other Alerts

COVID-19 closures and cancellations: Many OSMP community programs, such as nature hikes and education programs, have been suspended. City parks and OSMP trails will remain open. The city also has closed all city buildings and facilities to the public. Learn more about other city services through the city’s COVID19 (novel coronavirus) webpage. These OSMP closures and cancellations are in effect:

OSMP Hub at 2520 55th Street is closed. Most in-person services can be completed online. See below.
Picnic tables and shelters across the Open Space and Mountain Parks system are closed. The Sunrise Amphitheater is also closed.
OSMP's Ranger Cottage is currently closed as well as the Flagstaff Nature Center.
All OSMP public programs, including Voice and Sight Tag Program education classes, nature hikes and education programs are currently canceled. Sign up for program communications at naturehikes.org.
Wonderland Lake community engagement planned for late March and April (Engagement Window #3) has been postponed.
One-day group volunteer events and projects will begin in mid/late June, visit volunteerosmp.org for registration.
OSMP is not currently issuing new special-use permits for large groups on city-managed open space. It also advises that bookings of OSMP facilities for weddings and other events may be subject to change. Facilities are currently closed through June 30.

OSMP permits can be obtained online:

Voice and Sight Tags. Please note: Tags can only be obtained if you have completed program requirements, such as attending an education class.
Parking Permits.
Shelter & Facility Rentals. Please note: OSMP advises that bookings of OSMP facilities for weddings and other events may be subject to change. Facilities are currently closed through June 30.
Woodlot Contracts/Firewood Program.

Prairie Dog public process: The City of Boulder has begun an expedited review of how it manages irrigated agricultural fields and prairie dogs later and is seeking input on ways it can foster healthy soils and promote sustainable agricultural land uses. Learn more.

Tall Oatgrass Management Program: Grazing and its associated livestock fencing are an important part of a continuing OSMP restoration project to help contain tall oatgrass – a highly invasive, non-native grass – in the area.

Purchase OSMP annual parking permits online: Visitors whose vehicles are registered outside of Boulder County can now purchase OSMP annual parking permits online. Learn more about parking permits.