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Colorado State Parks

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St. Vrain State Park
St. Vrain State Park © Jeffrey Beall / CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
St. Vrain State Park in Firestone, Colorado. The picture shows Bald Eagle Pond, with one of the campgrounds behind the pond.
St. Vrain State Park © Jeffrey Beall / CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The sign at the entrance of St. Vrain State Park.
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ST. VRAIN STATE PARK
ST. VRAIN STATE PARK
3785 Weld County Road 24 1/2
Firestone, Colorado   80504
(lat:40.1679 lon:-104.9915) map location

Phone: 303-678-9402
St. Vrain State Park is a family-friendly destination for visitors seeking a peaceful and simple outdoor break. Its an easy drive from Denver or Fort Collins, located on Highway 119 just off I-25 Exit 240.

Formerly named Barbour Ponds, this nature and people-friendly park offers 604 acres of land and 152 acres of water split among several ponds. Its a great place for anglers, campers, photographers, birders, walkers and anyone who loves nature.

Since 2006, Colorado State Parks added amenities like modern camping facilities, trail additions and fishing piers, with many more improvements on the way.
History of the Area
This park was established as Barbour Ponds State Park in 1965. It underwent significant expansion and renovation from 2006 to 2010. In recognition of the St.Vrain River that flows through it, its name changed officially on November 8th, 2006. The area is known for bird-watching opportunities with over150 species recorded.

Passes
All Colorado State Parks have entrance fees. All vehicles are required to have an entrance pass and some parks have walk-in fees. Visit the Colorado Park Entrance Pass web page.
Camping
St. Vrain contains a total of 87 campsites in eight campgrounds located on or near the banks of seven ponds at the east end of the park. Your campsite will be an easy walk away from fishing, kayaking, or simply birdwatching on the trails that circle the ponds.


Location
St. Vrain State Park is located near Berthoud, Boulder and Brighton

Trails
- Blue Heron Reservoir Loop: A 1.9-mile trail that circles the largest reservoir in St. Vrain State Park, offering great bird-watching opportunities.

- Mallard Pond Trail: This short .3 mile loop takes hikers around a scenic pond known for its waterfowl and fishing spots.

- Pelican Pond Trail: An easy 2.6 miles round trip hike with views of Longs Peak and Mount Meeker; ideal for wildlife viewing especially pelicans during migration season.

- Bald Eagle Pond Trail: At just under one mile long (0.8), this flat path offers stunning mountain vistas as well as sightings of bald eagles nesting nearby.

- Coot Lake Loop : Just over half a mile (.56) in length, it's an accessible route circling Coot lake - perfect for families or those seeking shorter walks.

-Sandpiper & Killdeer Ponds Trails : Two separate but adjacent trails each approximately quarter-mile loops providing excellent vantage points to observe wetland birds like sandpipers and killdeers respectively

-Great Blue Heron Rookery Viewpoint Pathway : Short pathway leading to observation deck overlooking herons' nests on island within park's biggest rookery - distance not specified due to variable starting point

-Kestrel / Kingfisher Ponds Loops : Twin paths looping around two ponds named after their resident avian species ; both are less than half-a-miles making them suitable quick strolls

-Little Gaynor Lake Fishing Access Point Walkway- Not strictly hiking trail , rather paved access way from parking lot towards Little Gaynor lake popular among anglers - Length unspecified

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Directions
Directions from Denver, Colorado:

- Start on I-25 N.
- Continue for approximately 28 miles.
- Take exit 240 onto CO -119 towards Longmont/Firestone.

From Boulder, Colorado:

- Begin by heading east on US -36 E/Denver Boulder Turnpike.
- After about 14 miles take the Storage Tek Dr/Interlocken Loop Exit toward CO -121/E Flatiron Crossing Drive
- Follow Interlocken loop and turn right to merge with U.S.-287N/Northwest Pkwy.

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Colorado
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Colorado State Parks

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