Poudre River Trail

This is the Cache la Poudre near its very beginning — long before it carves the canyon we all know, it's a quiet, willow-lined stream threading the high country along the northern boundary of Rocky Mountain National Park. The Poudre River Trail follows it here for about four miles of dirt path, stitched from two COTREX segments (the short Lower Trail and the longer Middle Trail) into one continuous walk. It's a hiking trail: no bikes, and because the route runs on national park ground, dogs aren't allowed. Rocky Mountain National Park manages the tread, so park rules apply the whole way.

It's an out-and-back at an easy grade for this country, and it rewards the unhurried — the river braids and pools, meadows open between the trees, and the water runs cold and close the whole time. The short lower segment nearest the access is open to stock; the longer middle stretch is foot-travel only. We don't have a verified elevation profile or seasonal closures for this one, so treat it as high country: bring layers, watch the afternoon sky, and confirm current conditions and access with the Canyon Lakes Ranger District and Rocky Mountain National Park before you go.

Trail Facts

Getting There

Off CO-14 in the upper Poudre, up toward the Long Draw Road area where the national park meets the canyon country. The trail runs along RMNP's northern boundary and is reached from that end — confirm the exact trailhead and road access on the map, and check current conditions with the Canyon Lakes Ranger District (and Rocky Mountain National Park for park regulations) before heading up.

Know Before You Go

• Hiking trail. COTREX marks this foot-travel: no bikes, and the longer middle segment is hikers only (the short lower segment nearest the access is open to stock).
• No dogs. The route runs on Rocky Mountain National Park ground, where pets aren't allowed on trails — leave them at home for this one.
• Park rules apply. Rocky Mountain National Park manages the trail, so its regulations govern the whole walk; check the park's current conditions and any access or seasonal notes before you go.
• Part of the upper Poudre network. These are the river's headwaters along the park's northern boundary — confirm the trailhead and road access on the map with the Canyon Lakes Ranger District.