Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge

East Side (Ponds) Loop Trail

Open Memorial Day (May) through Labor Day (September), this trail meanders past the refuge’s eponymous ponds and through mixed prairie grass meadows. After moving through the refuge's Environmental Education Area (just off the main meadow facing Friends Pond), you’ll slope a bit higher for views of several natural areas, including the Rocky Mountain Front Range. The lower portion of the trail is wheel-chair accessible with crushed fines used on the switchback to navigate the steeper slopes, while much of the rest of the trail is dirt track. Several benches are scattered along the trail to rest and enjoy wildlife viewing.

West Side (Prairie) Loop Trail

Open year-round, this trail is located on the west side of the Refuge known as the Prairie Management Area. It’s supported on the community side by the Founders & Friends (Two Ponds Preservation Foundation) volunteer group, which partners with USFWS for outreach, educational programming, habitat restoration, and stewardship efforts

Access the  trailheads at either 77^th and Kipling or on the Southside of the medical parking lot off 80^th and Kipling. This well-maintained, flat, accessible crusher fines trail loop can be navigated and traversed easily. Along the way watch for deer, raptors, songbirds and even coyote depending upon the time of day.

Trailheads

The main Trailhead and its free parking lot is at 9210 W 80th Ave, Arvada, CO 80005 (39.84165230661899, -105.10268086943043).  It is the best access point for the East Side (Ponds) Loop Trail.

Two secondary Trailheads are the best access points for the West Side (Prairie) Loop Trail.  They are located at either:
(1) West 77^th Drive and Kipling Street (39.836877, -105.108537) or 
(2) on the back side of the medical buildings’ parking lot (39.840097, -105.108789) on the SE corner of 80^th and Kipling.  

Getting to the Trailhead(s)

From Boulder, go south on Highway 93 up and over the hill, continuing southeast and all the way to the Broomfield / Wadsworth Boulevard exit.  Turn RIGHT (south) onto Wadsworth Parkway.  Keep south on Wadsworth for  miles to 80^th Avenue.  Turn LEFT (west) and go 3.1 miles, then looking for the Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge sign at which you’ll turn LEFT (south) into the parking area.

From Denver, go north on I-25, then northwest on Highway 36. Take the US-287 N / Federal Boulevard exit RIGHT (north) from US-36 W, and IMMEDIATELY and QUICKLY cross ALL the lanes of Federal Boulevard to get into the far left-hand lane.  Turn LEFT (west) onto West 80^th Avenue.  Continue, going 3.1 miles past Wadsworth Boulevard then looking for the Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge sign at which you’ll turn LEFT (south) into the parking area.

(Note:  To reach either of the two alternate trailheads, don’t turn into the main Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge parking lot.  Instead, continue 0.6 miles to a left-hand turn into the medical buildings’ parking lot on the SE corner of West 80^th Avenue and Kipling; OR continue 0.8 miles to Kipling Street, turn left (SOUTH) and go 0.4 miles to West 77^th Drive. Turn left (EAST) and park on the street, by the trailhead that’ll be visible on your left-hand side.)

Related Websites

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/dot-segment-26-farmers-croke-canals-trail-through-two-ponds-national-wildlife-refuge

https://www.hikingproject.com/trail/7031131/east-side-trail

https://www.americantrails.org/resources/two-ponds-national-wildlife-refuge-trails-colorado

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/two-ponds

https://www.twopondsnwr.org/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two_Ponds_National_Wildlife_Refuge

https://coloradobirdingtrail.com/site/two-ponds-national-wildlife-refuge/

• Suitable Activities: Conservation, Environmental Awareness, Exploring Nature, Family, Hiking, Photography
• Seasons: Year-round
• Weather: View weather forecast

• Length: 2.4 mi
• Elevation Gain: 70 ft
• High Point: 5,549 ft

• Land Manager: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• Parking Permit Required: USFWS Passes
• Recommended Party Size: 12
• Maximum Party Size: 12
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12