Trip
Hiking – Soapstone Prairie Natural Area
Soapstone Prairie Natural Area's remote preserve offers 28 square miles of grasslands and canyon terrain with pronghorn, elk, bison, birds, beautiful panoramic views, and significant archaeological history.
Contacts
- Sat, Mar 28, 2026
- Northern Colorado
- Hiking
- Adults
- Moderate
- Mileage: 6.0 mi
- Elevation Gain: 600 ft
- High Point Elevation: 7,020 ft
- Pace: Casual
- 3 (8 capacity)
- FULL (2 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
We will enjoy exploring the expansive Soapstone Prairie Natural Area on this 6-mile loop hike using the Towhee, Canyon and Mahogany trails. Near the trailhead, we will visit the archaeologic Lindenmeier National Historic Landmark of the 10,000 year-old Folsom people. Along our route, there may be opportunities to view pronghorn, elk, bison, birds, and other wildlife as we hike through this grasslands and canyon ecosystem. Panoramic views west beyond the Red Mountain Open Space and north into Wyoming are beautiful. We will stop for lunch along this loop route before returning to the trailhead. Be prepared for windy conditions. The quiet beauty of this special area will provide a day of reflection as we imagine what the early homesteaders experienced.
Meet at the west edge of the King Soopers parking lot, 1842 N. College Ave., Ft. Collins (near Discount Tire), at 8:00 a.m. We will carpool 30 miles north on Co. Rd. 15 to the Soapstone Prairie Natural Area, 22998 Rawhide Flats Rd. (Wellington), north parking lot.
Required Equipment
Bring your essentials, water, lunch, sturdy hiking boots, and raingear. Ride share from King Soopers is $10. There is no entrance fee.