Flagstaff Summit Closure
Flagstaff Summit Road including Flagstaff Summit East and West Trailheads closed to vehicles for winter.
Open Space & Mountain Parks has several picnic shelters and facilities available to rent. Please read this information thoroughly to help answer questions and to understand the rules and regulations.
Should you choose to rent a facility, completing the online registration acknowledges that you understand and accept all the information included here and on the facility use permit.
Review the Facility Descriptions below to ensure the facility you choose can accommodate your event. It is recommended that you visit the facility of your choice before making a reservation to ensure it will accommodate your event needs.
OSMP is grateful to provide several shelters and facilities to accommodate group gatherings that also foster appreciation and use that sustain the natural values of the land for current and future generations. Reservation holders must understand and agree to abide by the rules and regulations before starting the online reservation process to ensure your planned event can take place while allowing us to preserve and protect the natural environment and land resources that characterize Boulder.
Our self-service reservation calendar shows all reservation time blocks available to reserve. We regret we are unable to manage a wait list for time blocks that have already been reserved (will not show as available to book).
Maximum attendance is 100 people in any one time block for all Summit Facilities combined, and the reservation calendar availability will account for combined facility limits.
Facilities are not reserved on the following holidays: Fourth of July, Thanksgiving Day, Black Friday, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, or New Year's Day.
No fires on OSMP. Grills and fireplaces that remain cannot be used either outside or inside facilities.
There is no electricity or water available at any of the facilities. Latrine toilets are cleaned once a week on Fridays. There is no janitorial service on weekends, and no OSMP staff will be available on site for reservations. There are no other structures (changing rooms) available for event parties to use in preparation for events.
The picnic shelter located by the Chautauqua Auditorium is managed by the Boulder Chautauqua Association. Call 303-442-3282 for more information and reservations.
The grassy lawn at Chautauqua Park is managed by City of Boulder Parks and Recreation and can be reserved by calling 303-413-7200.
Aerial Map of Flagstaff Summit
NOTE: Due to safety and fire code regulations, the OSMP department cannot allow more people present than the capacities listed below or the maximum available during booking.
Facility | Capacity | Restroom | Parking | Picnic Tables |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sunrise Amphitheater |
100 |
Latrine |
Yes |
0 |
Stone Shelter |
100 total, ~25 under covered shelter |
Latrine |
Yes |
2 inside, 28 outside |
Wood Shelter |
100 total, ~50 under covered shelter |
Latrine |
Yes |
2 inside, 7 outside, 1 long serving table without seating |
Halfway House |
49 |
Latrine |
Yes |
4 inside, 3 outside |
Green Mountain Lodge |
49 |
No |
No |
3 inside, 2 outside |
Bluebell Shelter |
50 |
Latrine |
No |
1 inside, 3 outside |
Maximum attendance is 100 people in any one time block for all Summit Facilities combined, and the reservation calendar availability will account for combined facility limits. Reservations at Stone Shelter, Wood Shelter, and Sunrise Amphitheater are not available Oct. 31 through April 30 every year, and the Flagstaff Summit Road is closed to vehicles during this time.
The vehicle length limit for Flagstaff Road is 30 feet.
The Sunrise Amphitheater on the summit of Flagstaff Mountain is a popular location for weddings between May and October. Constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1933-34, the Amphitheater is a rustic outdoor facility made from local stone. It features a large circular area, a small stage, tiered stone amphitheater seating, and magnificent views.
The Sunrise Amphitheater is located at the east end of the Flagstaff summit area beneath the large flagpole.
Wheelchair accessible to seating area; the 6’ wide crusher fines path is about 200’ long with a grade of 7-8% the whole way. For wheelchair accessibility to the stage, please notify the OSMP Administration Office 303-441-3440 for a ramp.
Originally known as the Flagstaff Shelter House, this facility was constructed by the Boulder Lions Club in 1933. It is a roofed moss rock structure with open-air windows, and a covered area for about 25 people (dimensions 33' X 21').
This facility is located on the summit of Flagstaff Mountain across from the Stone Shelter. It is a covered, open-air wooden facility for approximately 50 people, with nearby uncovered picnic tables that is available for group picnics and other events. The shelter is wheelchair accessible from the same parking lot and path access as the Ute/Sensory Trail along a dirt/pine needle path that is about 140’ long with a grade of 4-6%.
The Halfway House is an enclosed stone facility that is available by reservation for groups of up to 49 people. Originally known as the Panorama Park Shelter House, the facility was rebuilt in 1933 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, replacing a structure that was originally built by the Lions Club in 1919. The Halfway House is a popular location for weddings and picnics and has a lovely stone patio that affords magnificent views of the Boulder Valley. The inside has covered seating for approximately 40 people (dimensions: 43' X 26').
The patio is wheelchair accessible via a short trail from the parking area; the structure itself and the latrines (150 yards south) are not. The Halfway House is located across from the Flagstaff Restaurant, about 1.2 miles up Flagstaff Road on the east side.
Parking limited, car pooling strongly recommended (only eight parking spaces)
Facility key needs to be picked up from our administrative operations building during business hours prior to reservation. This facility has a $100 fee if the key isn’t returned within 3 business days of the reservation.
Indoors of facilities are cleaned once per week. Users are expected to clean and pack out all trash and debris from the facility at the end of their reservation. Cleaning staff will not sanitize surfaces between reservations, but users are welcome to sanitize the space upon arrival.
1/4 mile south of Realization Point on Ranger Trail (hike in only). Historic Green Mountain Lodge was built in 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) to be enjoyed by the people of Boulder for special events, camps, programs and parties. It is a historical landmark and is an element of the Boulder County Flagstaff Mountain Cultural Landscape District. The building features an outdoor patio.
Note: No restroom or trash receptacles. Trash generated must be packed out with group, and nearest restrooms are ~1 mile hike to Flagstaff Summit East. No overnight camping is allowed.
Facility key needs to be picked up from our administrative operations building during business hours prior to reservation. This facility has a $100 fee if the key isn’t returned within 3 business days of the reservation.
Indoors of facilities are cleaned once per week. Users are expected to clean and pack out all trash and debris from the facility at the end of their reservation. Cleaning staff will not sanitize surfaces between reservations, but users are welcome to sanitize the space upon arrival.
3/4 mile south of Chautauqua Trailhead on Bluebell Road (hike in only). The Bluebell Shelter is a covered, open-air stone facility available for group picnics and other activities. It was constructed by the Lions Club in 1921. It is located at the end of Bluebell Road, a closed emergency access road that originates at the entrance to Chautauqua Park. The shelter has covered seating for approximately 15 people (dimensions - shelter and patio - 46' X 26') and features a small outdoor amphitheater. The nearest latrines to the shelter are 100 yards downhill.
There are a number of picnic tables throughout Open Space and Mountain Parks that are available for public use. These do not require reservations and may be used on a first-come, first-serve basis.
OSMP facilities are patrolled by local law enforcement agencies. All applicable rules and regulations, including state statutes, city ordinances, and OSMP Rules and Regulations are enforced. Maximum capacities by shelter or facility can be found under Shelter & Facility Descriptions.
No permit shall be issued except upon satisfactory assurance that the use of the facility will be under the direct supervision of an adult.
Applicant agrees to the following by reserving an OSMP shelter or facility:
Note: Resident refers to households that are located within the City of Boulder limits. Households located in Boulder County are considered non-residents.
Green Mountain Lodge & Halfway House reservations have a $100 fee if the key isn't returned to the OSMP office within the timeframe stated in the reservation confirmation.
The three primary rental periods are three-hour time blocks, beginning at 10 a.m. and ending at 9 p.m. Time blocks are separated by a mandatory hour between reservations, which cannot be reserved and is designated for the coming and going of parties. There are also early morning, one-hour time blocks beginning at 6 a.m. and ending at 9 a.m. Early morning time blocks do not have time in between reservations.
Time Block |
Sunrise |
Stone Shelter |
Wood Shelter |
Green Mountain Lodge* | Halfway House* | Bluebell Shelter |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
One 6 a.m. – 7 a.m. – 9 a.m. |
Resident: Non-resident: $150 |
Resident: Non-resident: $100 |
Resident: Non-resident: $100 |
Resident: Non-resident: $100 |
Resident: Non-resident: $100 |
Resident: Non-resident: $100 |
Three 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. – 9 p.m. |
Resident: Non-resident: $400 |
Resident: Non-resident: |
Resident: Non-resident: |
Resident: Non-resident: |
Resident: Non-resident: |
Resident: Non-resident: |
Parking spaces are not included with nor guaranteed as part of facility reservations. Vehicles that are not registered in Boulder County are required to purchase and display a daily or annual parking permit. Daily parking permits are $5.00 each and can be purchased one of three ways:
Parking permits are non-refundable and do not guarantee availability of parking. Due to limited parking available and parking areas not exclusive to reservations, carpooling and shuttling is strongly encouraged.
Parking spaces on Flagstaff Road and summit
City Alcohol permits are required at all Open Space and Mountain Parks shelters or facilities and are required for each reservation time block when alcohol is being consumed. Applicants must agree to abide by the requirements and conditions, procedures, and applicant statements before signing the alcohol application.
*Note: City Alcohol Permits are issued pursuant to chapter 5-7, B.R.C. and city manager rule 5-7-5.A(21) and all permit holders must comply with all City of Boulder, state and local alcohol laws and all OSMP rules and regulations.
Applicants must agree to the following statements before signing the alcohol application:
Applicant:
Posting any type of sign on OSMP property is prohibited. The regulation states, "Under no circumstances are signs, balloons, or any other items to be nailed, pinned, stapled or otherwise attached to any tree, park sign, facility, and/or along the roadways." Signs will be removed by OSMP personnel. OSMP suggests the following:
Dogs are allowed at the facilities as long as they are in compliance with the current dog regulations. The Stone and Wood Shelters require dogs to be on leash at all times. The Green Mountain Lodge, Halfway House, Sunrise Amphitheater, and Bluebell Shelter allow dogs as long as they are on leash or if guardians are participants of the Voice and Sight Control Program.
Fires, open flames, ignition sources or smoke-producing devices of any kind are prohibited on OSMP. Fuel-powered items of any kind are also prohibited, including grills/camp stoves, warming/chafing dishes, generators, and fuel-powered lanterns. Grills and fireplaces that remain cannot be used either outside or inside facilities.
If there are no reservations before the scheduled event, permit holders may use the facility on a first-come, first-served basis to decorate. The hour between time blocks is meant for the coming and going of parties. Be aware that there may be overlap between parties. Review the Facility Rental Rules, Regulations and Terms to avoid any prohibited items when planning decorations.
Please be aware that the only restrooms available are pit latrines. There are no other structures (changing rooms) available for event parties to use in preparation for events.
You can reserve a shelter or facility up to two years in advance of the event date.
You may bring a battery-operated portable player or have acoustic music. Use of live bands and amplification is restricted. Applicants must comply with noise ordinance as defined in Chapter 5-9, B.R.C. 1981. There is no electricity at any of the facilities. Tents, shade tents, nets and canopies are prohibited, so please advise musicians to plan accordingly.
No event support is offered by the City of Boulder. Volunteers at the Flagstaff Nature Center are not available for event support.
In the event of a heavy snowfall when there are reservations on Flagstaff Mountain, OSMP staff will plow the paved parking lots. Staff is unable to plow or shovel any of the trails or unpaved areas including Sunrise Amphitheater stage, ramp, and stairs, Halfway House path from the parking lot to the shelter, or the Halfway House patio. Reservation groups are permitted to arrive early with shovels if they want to clear snow from these areas themselves.
Cancellation policy - Any applicable refund will be processed in two to four weeks. All refunds will be issued to the original payee.
To change, modify or cancel a permit, please email Megan Grunewald.
Change policy: Changes can be made at no additional charge up to 15 days before the scheduled event. No changes can be made to reservations that are 14 or fewer days prior to the scheduled event.
To change, modify or cancel a permit, please email Megan Grunewald.
Refunds: There are no refunds for alcohol or parking permits. There are no refunds for cancellations due to inclement weather or conditions, including but not limited to: rain, strong winds or wildfires.
To change, modify or cancel a permit, please email Megan Grunewald.