As Colorado reopened state parks to allow camping on May 11 through its Colorado Parks and Wildlife organization, with a 50 percent phased reopening plan, Boulder too eases on some restrictions placed on outdoor recreation spots.
Though the City of Boulder’s Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) has very little camping, with only one location in Boulder County, the dispersed wilderness campgrounds in the Indian Peaks Wilderness accessed via Fourth of July Trailhead near Nederland, beginning to issue overnight permits June 1 (no permit needed before).
The other two campgrounds in Boulder County include St. Vrain State Park in Longmont, which has reopened in accordance with Colorado’s state park regulations, and the Boulder County Fairgrounds Campground, also in Longmont, which remains closed until May 31.
Campgrounds off the Fourth of July Trailhead, which take miles and elevation climbs to get to, are first-come, first-serve, so make sure to get there early.
On May 15 the city reopened some social gathering spots that closed during the height of Covid-19. These include some popular vantage points such as the beautiful view of the Continental Divide, the Lost Gulch, and picnic areas.
The OSMP website has a great map resource that shows Boulderites which trails are currently open.
According to City of Boulder OSMP ranger Brian Litwin, due to a heavy emphasis on preventative education and waste management, the city did not have to close any of its trails during Covid-19.
It does, however, still require anyone over the age of 12 to wear a face covering anytime they pass others on trails and remain at least 6 feet away from each other.
Header Image: Mount Sanitas hiking trail. Image: James Tiffin Jr.
