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Inside Timnath

Trail

Fossil Creek Reservoir Natural Area

1,400 acres of prairie, wetland and reservoir southwest of town between Timnath and Fort Collins, an Audubon Important Bird Area with bald eagles in winter, bird blinds and short trails. Hikers only; no dogs or bikes.

A hawk perched on a bare sapling above winter grass at Fossil Creek Reservoir, foothills behind

The reservoir southwest of town, between Timnath and Fort Collins, is a joint Fort Collins and Larimer County natural area of about 1,400 acres: rolling prairie, wetlands and a tree-lined reservoir that the National Audubon Society lists as an Important Bird Area, with wintering bald eagles, shorebirds and waterfowl, and coyotes, deer and prairie dogs. Three short trails from the Carpenter Road (Colorado 392) entrance: the quarter-mile paved Heron Loop with picnic shelters, the 0.4-mile Sandpiper Trail and the 0.76-mile Cattail Flats Trail to viewing blinds, with seasonal closures to protect eagle roosts. Hiking only: no dogs, bikes or horses. Dawn to dusk.

  • birding
  • eagles
  • hiking
  • no dogs

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