Experience the humbling beauty of the plains on the Niwot Trails. Affording a spectacular mountain view, follow historical irrigation routes through this cottonwood-lined path.
Niwot Trails
COVID-19 Safety Information
Bring a face covering.
Face coverings are required at trailheads, when passing other visitors, and when six feet of distancing cannot be maintained. See the Public Health Order for more information.
Face coverings are required at trailheads, when passing other visitors, and when six feet of distancing cannot be maintained. See the Public Health Order for more information.
Give space to others on the trails.
Please visit in groups of four or fewer and stay at least six feet away from people who are not from the same household.
Please visit in groups of four or fewer and stay at least six feet away from people who are not from the same household.
Follow all rules and regulations.
Park in designated spaces only and follow trail directional arrows. Rangers are issuing fines for violations.
Park in designated spaces only and follow trail directional arrows. Rangers are issuing fines for violations.
Stay close to home when recreating outdoors.
Consider using neighborhood trails rather than driving to a trailhead.
Consider using neighborhood trails rather than driving to a trailhead.
Visit on weekdays to avoid crowds.
Parks and trails are generally less crowded on weekdays. Parking lots are full as early as 8 a.m. on weekends.
Parks and trails are generally less crowded on weekdays. Parking lots are full as early as 8 a.m. on weekends.
| Trails |
|---|
Niwot Trails     6.4 miles – Easy Some marked sections are closed to horses |
Parking
- Niwot Trailhead can accommodate 14 cars.
- Monarch Trailhead can accommodate 10 cars and 1 horse trailer.
- Lefthand Valley Grange can accommodate 30 cars.
Picnic Areas
- Group shelter at Lefthand Valley Grange (first-come, first-served).
Restrooms
- Temporary facility at Niwot Trailhead.
Trail Connections
- Niwot Trails connects with the Longmont-to-Boulder Regional Trail.
- Regional trails and regional trail connectors are open to commuters 24 hours per day.
Management Plan
In the rain shadow of the Rocky Mountains, the Great Plains are dry, windy and expansive. Receiving small amounts of precipitation, the land is dominated by grasses. The scarcity of water generally prevents larger shrubs and trees from growing. The exception is where rivers, streams or ponds exist. In these riparian habitats plant and animal life is more diverse due to the presence of water. Trees, sedges and cattails grow and a variety of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and insects are drawn to the water where temperatures are often slightly cooler than the surrounding lands.
Mammals
- Black-tailed prairie dog
- Coyote
- Deer mouse
- Fox squirrel
- Little brown bat
- Muskrat
- Nuttall’s cottontail
- Raccoon
- Red fox
- Striped skunk
- Western harvest mouse
Birds
- American crow
- American goldfinch
- American kestrel
- American robin
- American tree sparrow
- Barn swallow
- Belted kingfisher
- Black-billed magpie
- Black-capped chickadee
- Blue jay
- Bullock’s Oriole
- Canada goose
- Chipping sparrow
- Common nighthawk
- Common grackle
- Common raven
- Common yellow throat
- Cooper’s hawk
- Downy woodpecker
- Eastern kingbird
- Great blue heron
- Great horned owl
- House finch
- House wren
- Killdeer
- Mallard
- Mourning dove
- Northern flicker
- Red-tailed hawk
- Red-winged blackbird
- Rock dove
- Sharp-shinned hawk
- Song sparrow
- Swainson’s hawk
- Tree swallow
- Yellow-breasted chat
- Yellow warbler
- Yellow-rumped warbler
- Western kingbird
- Western meadowlark
- Wilson’s warbler
Amphibians & Reptiles
- Chorus frog
- Woodhouse toad
- Western painted turtle
- Bullsnake
- Plains rattlesnake
- Western terrestrial garter snake
Coming Soon
The Name
Chief Niwot (c. 1825-1864) was a tribal leader of the Southern Arapaho people and played an important part in the history of Colorado. Chief Niwot and his people lived along the Front Range often wintering in Boulder Valley, site of the future city of Boulder.
The Trail
In April 2003, the Board of County Commissioners approved a list of 10 prioritized regional trail projects. The Longmont-Boulder Trail was among the top, consisting partly of the Niwot Loop Trail.