The Bobcat Ridge Natural Area just got even better. This weekend, a new trail opened! The Elk Meadow Trail is a new 1.75-mile trail that is considered easy to moderate and takes you through the meadow. You can stop at the historic cabin that dates back to 1917. This trail gives us new access to the most recent portion of the Bobcat Ridge Natural  Area, extending natural access in Fort Collins even farther.  The new trail is open to hikers, bikers, and horseback riders, but pl

But trick or treating can be so much more than just one night and NOCO has got you covered for all the events from trunk or treats, treat streets and costume contests from Wellington to Greeley the entire month of October can be spooky! We put together a list of events coming up for you and can't wait to share more as October continues!

It’s the most versatile natural area we’ve covered so far, and if you haven’t been here, don’t walk, run, bike, or hike there soon and experience the fall colors from this easy-to-access Fort Collins natural area.

We have you covered with all the fall festivals, Oktoberfests, pumpkin patches, haunted activities and more in our NOCO Spooky Season 2025 guide. 

A natural space where you can stop and grab a snack at a golf course, count me in. We hit the trail at the Mariana Butte for this month's NOCO Mapped. I would classify this natural space more closely as a trailhead compared to open space, as it does not have any area for communing, picnic tables, or flat land for kids or dogs to play. It does host an entrance to the Mariana Butte Trail system. 

Northern Colorado communities from Wellington to Boulder have made sure that you can escape the summer heat with splash pads, or spray parks, as some towns have called them. I know our kids often prefer a splash pad to a pool because they can choose their own adventure, and sometimes I prefer sitting on the sidelines to diving in with them. So if you are looking for your guide to NOCO’s splash pads, we’ve got you covered!

If you are anything like us, you love seeing the vibrant colors in the spring and summer, and those first buds popping through the cold ground give you a serotonin burst you didn’t know you were waiting for every spring. But if you are anything like us, you also kind of tune out from all garden care once the buds start to fall. Every fall, I think to myself I should care for my garden now to get it prepped for next spring, but I get so lost in where to start that I just don’t

This small natural area is perfect for a quick stroll or a stop by the river.

We have put together your guide to the sounds of summer, how to find all the free music around NOCO from Friday Fest in Greeley to the Summer Sunday series at Mishawaka (which took place in May but the last one is June 8th with Michael Morrow & The Culprits) you can see the schedules and locations for free music here. So enjoy the weather, grab a treat and get your dancing shoes ready!

Let’s take a look at what each space offers, the best for kids, dogs, and even a nice work from open space, each one has different benefits. Most importantly we are going to see how long I can before I run out of new open spaces.  This Month: Gateway Lakes Natural Space

It is Farmer’s Market season in Northern Colorado, and let me tell you, NOCO goes all in for farmer’s markets. During the summer months,...

We sat down with Chef Fat Dan to hear how he turned Locust Cider into Norther Colorados first Celiac Safe Restaurant. Chef Fat Dan gives...