Prospect Ponds Natural Area

Pond with a thin sheet of ice along its border, reflecting a cool winter sky.

Prospect Ponds Natural Area offers more than ponds, with trails, picnic tables, fishing and a section of the Poudre River running through the site. Anglers can catch species such as largemouth bass, crappie and channel catfish. Prospect Ponds is also a nice place for a lunchtime walk or picnic.

Over 100 species of birds have been seen at Prospect Ponds, including black-crowned night-herons, bald eagles, Swainsons hawks, great horned owls, wood ducks and hooded mergansers. Mammals include mule deer, foxes and bats.

Trails

The paved Poudre River Trail follows the western border of Prospect Ponds and soft surface trails encircle the ponds making a figure eight trail configuration. Total trail distance is about 1.3 miles.

View the Natural Areas Map(PDF, 25MB) for more information. This document is provided for printing purposes. For assistance viewing or reading this document, please contact the City's ADA Coordinator via email adacoordinator@fortcollins.gov or phone: 970-416-4254.

Plan Your Visits

Popular times.

Graph of popular times at Prospect Ponds Natural Area. Weekday visits are high at 7 a.m., lowering slightly before peaking from noon-2 p.m. Weekends are busier overall, with the highest use at noon.