Shanahan Ridge Access Point

COVID-19 ALERT

Always bring a face covering when leaving your home. Anyone over 12 years old is required to wear face coverings anytime they cannot maintain six feet of distance at OSMP trailheads and when passing others on trails. If visitors are at least 6 feet away from others, they do not need to wear a face covering over their nose and mouth. However, if visitors reach 6 feet distance to someone else on the trail, they should put the covering back over their nose and mouth. Learn more.

Limited parking on Flagstaff Mountain. Flagstaff Mountain continues to be busy on the weekends. Parking is extremely limited. For your safety & the safety of others, do not park along the side of the road. Illegally parked vehicles can be ticketed and towed. Consider visiting different locations. Plan your visits through OSMPTrails.org or download the Boulder AreaTrails App.

Siempre traigan un cobertor facial cuando salgan de su hogar.  Cualquier persona mayor de 12 años requiere usar un cobertor facial cuando no pueda mantener una distancia de 6 pies (2m), ya sea en las entradas de los parques o cuando pasen a otros en el sendero. Si los visitantes están a más de 6 pies (2m) de otros, no necesitan usarlo para cubrirse la nariz y la boca. Sin embargo, si los visitantes se acercan a 6 pies (2m) o menos de distancia de alguien en el sendero, deben cubrirse la nariz y la boca.

Stay on trail and walk through mud. If needed, step off to maintain distance. Please avoid stepping on vegetation. If possible, step onto a rock or a bare spot to let others pass, then step back on the trail. Politely announce yourself if you need to pass others. Traveling off trail, whether hiking, running or biking, can permanently damage vegetation and widen trails. Learn more.

Proteja a las personas, quédese en casa. Si es indispensable salir, practique la recreación responsable. Mantenga 6 pies de distancia física, use cobertores de cara y evite viajes innecesarios. Las áreas de refugio y picnic están cerradas. Para más información. 

LOCATION

Trail entry point starting where Lehigh and Lafayette streets intersect (Google Map search 1903 Lehigh Street Boulder) with parking along the street.
A second entry point is at the southwest end of Hardscrabble Lane off Lehigh Street.

Please check for Trail & Area Closures.

Or view the interactive trail map (includes trail closures) and the interactive wildlife closures map. 

You are responsible for knowing and complying with all closures and OSMP rules & regulations.

PARKING

There is no sanctioned OSMP parking lot for the Shanahan area. Parking is permitted on public streets such as Bear Mountain Drive, south of Wildwood; and along Lehigh Street. This is an access point, not a trailhead.

TRAILHEAD SAFETY

Please keep your car doors locked and your car windows rolled up at all times while leaving your vehicle parked at OSMP trailheads. Also consider leaving important valuables at home or take them with you while visiting open space. To report suspicious activity please call City of Boulder Dispatch 303-441-3333 or Boulder County Dispatch 303-441-4444. For crimes in progress, call 911 immediately.

BUS CONNECTIONS

An RTD bus passes very close to this access point. Learn about Taking the Bus to OSMP.

TRAILS

View Shanahan Ridge Area Trail Map

Shanahan Trail can be taken to either the North Fork or South Fork of the Shanahan through ponderosa pine savannah. Both trails intersect with the Mesa Trail.

RESTROOMS

No facilities available.

PICNIC FACILITIES

No picnic facilities.

BIKE REGULATIONS

No bicycles are allowed in this area.

DOG REGULATIONS

Shanahan Area Dog Regulations Map

Learn about bringing your dog to OSMP. Dog control requirements vary from trail to trail, so carefully watch for dog regulation signs at trailheads and trail intersections. On most OSMP trails in this area, dogs must be on a hand-held leash at all times unless they meet the voice and sight control standard and display a City of Boulder Voice and Sight tag. Dog excrement removal is required by law. A dog station is available to aid in the collection of dog excrement.

HORSE REGULATIONS

Horses are allowed on most trails. On-trail riding is encouraged to protect rare plants and wildlife habitat. Learn more about riding your horse on OSMP.

WILDLIFE

Black bears and mountain lions occur in this area. Mule deer, coyotes and porcupines also inhabit the area. Abert's squirrels can be found along with numerous raptors, including the endangered peregrine falcon.

HISTORIC INFO

• Site of early local ranching. Early history of Native American sites. Homestead remnants in the area.