Date Hiked: October 14, 2025

Distance: 1.25 mi (RT)

Elevation Gain: Minimal

Trailhead Lat/Long: 104.983°W 40.167225°N

Managing Agency: CO Division of Parks & Wildlife

Fee: Yes

Directions:

From I-25 exit at Hwy 119 and head west. Turn right onto County Road 7 and another right onto County Road 24 ½. Enter the park and continue to the end of the road and turn right to park at Bald Eagle Pond. 

Hike Description:

To be honest, there are only two times when you should consider going hiking in Saint Vrain State Park; either when you are camping there or when it's autumn and the cottonwood trees have turned gold. The park is made up of a series of ponds mostly surrounded by campgrounds. The park does however, have an abundance of cottonwood trees and when their leaves are turning gold and yellow in mid-October, they provide a lovely backdrop for a quick and easy hike. 

For a nice 1.5 mile hike, try hiking around Bald Eagle and Coot Ponds, the cottonwoods around Coot Pond are particularly nice. You also get some nice views of the Front Range Mountains including Longs Peak as well. 

There is not much more information that you’ll need for this hike, just follow the easy trails around the ponds and enjoy the scenery. It’s actually a very pretty park when the morning or evening sun is lighting up the cottonwood trees, it's all about timing.