Natural Areas and Trails

Sunflowers

Greeley has 2,000 acres of natural areas and over 30 miles of trails waiting for you to explore.

Greeley’s natural areas are places where visitors can connect to nature in an up close and personal way. Spend the day on a bike touring the Poudre trail. Watch birds and deer along the river. Stroll through a quiet cottonwood forest with your best two or four-legged friends.

The city’s natural areas are not just a great place for residents to exercise and unwind. Natural areas provide important habitat for local wildlife, assist in improving water quality, and increased resilience to floods. These “ecosystem services” make natural areas a community asset we can all value.

Enjoy Greeley’s natural areas and trails today—they are always in season.

Latest Updates

Greeley's New Natural Area Open!

Want to share your ideas about the future of this property? Visit Speak Up Greeley to complete the survey!

A portion of the property is now open to visitors! The natural area offers approximately three miles of existing service roads to explore on foot or by bike. Motorized vehicles of any kind are prohibited. Please note that we've decided not to allow dogs as we gather data on existing wildlife and assess the potential impact on our furry friends. Service animals are permitted.

Please keep reading for information to plan your visit to the new natural area.

View of cactus and rocks at sunset

Pace Clyncke, Pace-Photography.com

Directions

From Greeley, travel west on 10th St. Turn right on Highway 257 Spur (follow signs for Missile Site Park). Continue left on Highway 257 Spur. Turn right on Missile Park Rd (there is a small sign for Missile Site Park). Continue straight, the road will dead end in the parking lot. The traffic pattern has been updated, so follow all posted signage. 

Parking

The traffic pattern and parking lot has been updated, please follow all posted signage. There are about 20 parking spaces in the main lot, with about four spaces available in an overflow lot along Missile Park Rd. For your safety, do not park on the road when the lot is full.

Map to parking area at new natural area

Hours

The new natural area will be open daily, from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset. Gates at the intersection of Highway 257 Spur and Missile Park Rd will open and close at these designated times.

Recreation

Walking and biking are permitted on the temporary trails. Please respect all private property boundaries and areas closed to the public.
Dogs are not allowed at the new natural area, please leave pets at home. Service animals are permitted.

Closures

Muddy trail conditions, construction and other hazards may close the trails temporarily. Always check COTREX (trails.colorado.gov) for updated information about conditions and closures. The natural area will close for a portion of the winter season to protect winter range for wildlife.

Work On Site

OXY/Kerr McGee has a water line running from the river to an off-site drilling location. Workers will be accessing the site daily to refuel generators and maintain the water lines and pumps. Watch for trucks on the trails and respect all posted signage. This work will be on-going through the end of 2023.

Missile Site Park

Missile Site Park has several picnic shelters. The park is open for day use, no overnight parking or camping. The RV dump is open. The traffic pattern has changed, follow all posted signage.

Restrooms

A port-a-let is available at the parking lot near the trailhead.

 


Use COTREX to check trail status and choose your next visit.

How are we doing?

Have you noticed something that needs attention in one of the City's natural areas or trail corridors? Let us know!

Fill out a report