Mahogany to Towhee Loop

Dogs No Dogs

Features Views

Fabulous views of windswept prairie climb up through the foothills on the border of Colorado and Wyoming. There is no fee to access this open space which is meticulously maintained with clean primitively bathrooms. Trails offer multiple combinations of distance and are well-marked. The trail is gravel singletrack with very few rocky sections. The views of the plains are spectacular, and if you want to get away from it all, this is the place for you! This open space also connect with Red Mountain open space, so you can pretty much go as far as you like, and even hike all the way to Wyoming if you're so inclined.

Bathrooms available but no water, bring your own. Come prepared as this is a fairly remote area, and you may only see antelope and not a single other person! Water and sunscreen are a must, as the trails are very exposed with no shade. Surprisingly, the trails are protected from high winds because you'll be in and out of hollows, gulleys.

The loop starts on the Mahogany Loop Trail, and all crossroads are well marked. Starting at the parking lot, hike east, warming up on a fairly flat section of trail before beginning a gentle looping climb up and around the edge of the foothills formation traveling northeast. There is an optional additional Mahogany Loop Trail will add a few miles. Continue past the loop on the Mahogany Loop Trail and continue climbing, now northwest. Connect with the Towhee Loop Trail to begin your descent from the top of the ridge, traveling now southeast. Optionally, you can continue on the Towhee Loop Trail which will also bring you back to the parking lot, adding another mile to your distance.

Prairie grasses to foothills shrubs. Antelope, prairie dogs, and government grazing of cattle. Entrance to the park is a bison enclosure, so you may see buffalo.

This is a nationally designated historical site maintained by the City of Fort Collins.