Features

  • Equestrian Parking
  • Picnic Area
  • Restroom

Trailhead Description

From the trailhead, there is access to several moderate trails: Doudy Draw, Community Ditch, Flatirons Vista Loop, Spring Brook Loop and Goshawk Ridge. This area was rich with mining and agriculture. In this dry landscape, irrigation is a necessity for providing water to hay fields and pasture land. The flow of South Boulder Creek was diverted by the construction of a series of ditches. Community Ditch, constructed in the early 1900s, was one of the last water diversion projects along the creek.

This area is closed when conditions are too muddy; please check the trail map for closures before visiting.

Hours

The trailhead is open from 5 am to 11 pm daily.

Restrooms

Facilities 0.3 mile south on Doudy Draw Trail at the picnic area.

Picnic Facilities

Picnic table 0.3 mile south on Doudy Draw Trail. Grills and stoves are prohibited.

Transportation

1.8 miles west of Highway 93 on Eldorado Springs Drive (Highway 170).

Parking

Parking lot on the south side of Eldorado Springs Drive, with a parking fee. Information on parking permits & fees. Parking is not allowed on Highway 170. The lot has 40 standard parking spaces, 2 ADA spaces and 3 horse-trailer spaces.

Area Info

Accessibility

This area is identified as being mobility-friendly. See the Visitors Experiencing Disabilities Page for trail details.

Bike Regulations

Bicycles are allowed on the Doudy Draw Trail with connections to Community Ditch, Flatirons Vista Loop and Spring Brook Loop. Biking Doudy Draw Trail to Flatirons Vista Trails and Trailhead allows bikes to access the Greenbelt Plateau and High Plains trails and the Marshall Mesa area. Bicycles are not allowed on the Goshawk Ridge Trail. Bicycles must remain on-trail and may be ridden only on those trails that are posted with the international bicycle symbol.

Dog Regulations

Doudy Draw Area Dog Regulations Map

Learn about bringing your dog to OSMP. 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.

Dogs must be leashed seasonally on the upper section of the Doudy Draw Trail south of Community Ditch Trail and west of the Flatirons Vista Trails because of black bear activity.

Horse Regulations

Equestrians are allowed on all trails in the Doudy Draw area. Off-trail riding is not allowed in the Spring Brook Loop area and Eldorado Mountain Habitat Conservation Area (HCA), and is discouraged in other areas to protect rare plants and wildlife habitat. Learn more about riding your horse on OSMP.

Wildlife

Black bears and mountain lions inhabit this area. Many other wildlife species are common including birds of prey, mule deer and coyotes. Songbirds are active along the riparian (stream side) corridor.

Nearby Trailheads