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Inside Fort Collins

Trail

Gateway Natural Area

The City's natural area in the lower Poudre Canyon where the North Fork joins the main river: picnic tables with grills, a canoe and kayak launch, fishing, two short trails and a natural playground. Open dawn to dusk; the only City natural area with a fee, $8 a vehicle.

Up the canyon off Highway 14 and tucked away from its noise, where the North Fork of the Poudre meets the main river. Picnic tables with grills, a designated launch for kayaks and canoes, fishing, a natural playground, and two short walks: the Overlook Trail (easy, 0.3 miles) and the Black Powder Trail (moderate, 0.8 miles). Seaman Reservoir is a mile farther along a flat dirt road.

Open daily dawn to dusk. A daily pass is $8 per passenger vehicle; annual passes for 2026 are sold out. No e-bikes on the natural-surface trails, no hunting, dogs on leash, and groups of 15 or more need a special use permit.

  • river
  • picnic
  • hiking
  • paddling
  • fishing
  • dogs-on-leash

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