Shanahan Ridge Access Point

COVID-19 ALERT

Always bring a face covering when you leave home and maintain 6 feet of distance

• You will need a face covering to visit Boulder’s open space trails and parks. Always bring one with you when you leave home.
• Place it over your nose and mouth when you can’t maintain 6 feet of distance from others.
• Wear it around your neck or wrist when no one else is around.
• Parents should help children older than 2 years old properly wear a face covering.
• Help protect vulnerable community members and each other. 

Don’t forget: Keep the space in open space! Always stay at least 6 feet from others you don’t live with or haven’t agreed to have close contact with.

Please follow these other responsible recreation reminders:

• Visit OSMPTrails.org to see current trail closures, historical 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.
• Protect first responders. Know your limits and don’t take unnecessary risks. 
• Plan ahead and consider recreating closer to home as parking is extremely limited - especially on Flagstaff Mountain.
• 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.
• For more responsible recreation reminders, please visit the Covid-19 Recovery page.

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.