Betasso Preserve

Trails

Trails
Betasso Link 1.3 miles Difficult
Bummers Rock Trail 0.4 miles Easy/Moderate
Blanchard Trail 0.25 miles Moderate This is a short trail made up of 177 steps that lead to the Blanchard Cabin
Canyon Loop 3.3 miles Moderate/Difficult Bikes prohibited Wednesdays & Saturdays Bike Direction: Counter-Clockwise
Loop Link 0.75 miles Moderate Bikes prohibited Wednesdays & Saturdays
Benjamin Loop 2.4 miles Moderate Bikes prohibited Wednesdays & Saturdays Bike Direction: Clockwise
Fourmile Link 0.8 miles Moderate Bikes prohibited Wednesdays & Saturdays Horses can only access from the Benjamin Loop due to steep terrain and stairways

• Trail Map (728 KB)
• Trail Elevation Graphs (419 KB)

Picnic Areas

• Several picnic tables located near trailhead
• Large 50-person group shelter located near trailhead. Reserve the shelter.

Restrooms

• Located near the trailhead

Parking

• 46-car spots in three parking lots
• Horse trailer parking available at Bummer’s Rock Trailhead
• No parking along Fourmile Canyon Drive

Mountain Bikes

• Not permitted Wednesdays and Saturdays on the Canyon Loop and Benjamin Loop trails
• Not permitted on the Bummers Rock Trail or Blanchard Trail
• Exhibit caution when passing other users on the narrow and steep Benjamin Loop
• Required to travel the posted direction

Mountain Bike Direction

• Canyon Loop: currently counter-clockwise
  • Changes once a month on a non-bike day around the first of the month
• Benjamin Loop: currently clockwise
  • Changes twice a month on a non-bike day around the first and 15th of the month

Keep in Mind

• Hiking, horseback riding, and dog-walking (on leash) are allowed on all trails
• Due to the popularity of Betasso Preserve, trail sharing and etiquette is particularly important
• The Benjamin Loop trail is very steep and narrower than 3-feet wide and is particularly challenging for novice equestrians and mountain bikers
• Equestrians and mountain bikers are strongly encouraged to walk the trail system before riding
• Equestrians should try to ride on Wednesdays and Saturdays when bikes are not on the trail
• Equestrians can access the Fourmile Link trail from the Benjamin Loop only. There is steep terrain and stairways between Fourmile Creek and Fourmile Canyon Drive.

Brochures

• Brochure (1.4 MB)
• Natures Detectives Mystery Guide (715 KB)

Management Plan

• Management Plan (13 MB)

Maps

• Trail Map (728 KB)
• Trail Elevation Graphs (419 KB)

Animals

Mule deer, elk, coyotes, yellow-bellied marmots, rock squirrels, Abert’s squirrels, pine squirrels, porcupines, and Nuttall’s cottontails. Mountain lion tracks have been observed as well, so it is likely that they are around!

Plants

You’ll see Ponderosa pine and Douglas fir forests as well as beautiful meadows teeming with grasses and wildflowers.

Homesteading, Mining, and Ranching

In the early 20th century, homesteaders moved into the area. In 1915, Steve Betasso of Italy purchased the property with profits from a successful local mining business. The property remained in the Betasso family as a ranch until 1975.

Boulder County’s First Open Space Purchase

In 1975, after the death of his wife, Steve Betasso’s son Ernie sold 773 acres of the ranch to Boulder County. This marked Boulder County’s first major open space acquisition. Ernie Betasso, dedicated to the land, helped the department oversee the preserve until his death in 1983.