Boulder County Trail Conditions

06/17/2026

Took a trip up to Brainard Lake to checkout conditions (6/16/26). The snow is melting fast, but it's not gone quite yet.

The permit reservation system is in place, so make sure to grab one online before heading up. The road is still gated at the edge of Brainard Lake and both Long Lake and Mitchell Lake trailheads won't be open until July 1st.

The area around the lake is basically clear, as are the trails up to both Mitchell Lake and Long lake. After Mitchell lake the trail is pretty wet, but there isn't much snow until one gets closer to upper Mitchell lakes. The trail approaching Blue Lake is very wet and muddy with occasional patches of snow, but no issues getting through. There are still large snowfields high on the ridges, so if you're going for Pawnee or Buchannan passes I'd expect some steep snowfields still. Happy summer!

05/06/2026

Well, winter is finally here... in May. Wet and heavy snow has been falling all afternoon along the Foothills with 6-7cm of accumulation near NCAR and definitely more up higher. The lower trails (Bear Canyon and Mesa) were just wet and muddy this afternoon, but I'd expect some snow by morning.
Usually muddy trail closures are in place south and north in the Boulder OSMP, but expect sloppy conditions everywhere.
Before the snow, some lovely wildflowers were popping out, hopefully more with all this moisture.

03/08/2026

As expected the muddy trail closures are rolling in. Avoid these areas and give them a chance to dry out.

Muddy Trails are now closed for North Sky, Flatirons Vista/Doudy Draw areas, and Marshall Mesa/Greenbelt Plateau areas. Check out osmptrails.org for updated maps.
Remember: Text “OSMP” to 888-777 to sign up for text updates about muddy trail closures.

03/07/2026

Winter finally came back, at least for one day, making trail conditions mixed and sloppy. Over a foot of snow fell atop the peaks with drifts thigh to crotch deep in spots. The few times I stepped outside of the track on Bear Peak I postholed knee to crotch deep in.

While lower trails are melting out rapidly (and becoming muddy), the tops of the peaks are snow packed and it's deep! Expect very mixed conditions through the first part of this week as things melt, with muddy trail closures looming, ice forming on the peaks and lots of snow to melt away.

12/19/2025

Just a heads up, all OSMP trails are closed today, Friday 12/19/25, from 5am - 10pm due to the high wind and extreme fire danger (there were no signs or indication of this closure this morning at 5am, but the wind was not too bad and the sunrise was amazing!). Be safe out there.
https://bouldercolorado.gov/news/city-boulder-close-all-open-space-and-mountain-parks-property-friday-dec-19?fbclid=IwY2xjawOyaqlleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE0R2NyQk4yVzRkVU43STl5c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHvPoOalRR_7UM8J0-fQ3N66VY041cs0HNNAgwnDwXSIP6DfAdALZ-DJFlx1D_aem_H3zJfLd6wqBco4nCPXnztA

05/28/2025

The hills are incredibly green, flowers are blooming and there's still a bit of mud remaining after all the recent storms. Remember to stay on trail and respect our open space.

05/25/2025

PARKING RESTRICTIONS BEGIN AT CHAUTAUQUA AND IN RMNP.

Reminder that starting this weekend metered parking fees in and around Chautauqua are in place on weekends and holidays. In addition, timed Entry for ALL RMNP trailheads has begun 7days a week. This includes the Bear Lake corridor from 5a-6p and ALL OTHER TRAILHEADS from 9a-2p. Entry Reservations can be found online at...

Explore Rocky Mountain National Park Timed Entry in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado with Recreation.gov. Planning trips to Rocky Mountain National Park between now and May 22, 2025? A timed entry reservation is not needed. To enter Rocky Mountain National Park bet

04/19/2025

No surprise, but muddy trails closures are back. With >9" of snow on the open space, it'll take a little time for everything to dry up.

All OSMP muddy trails are now closed. Please go to osmptrails.org for updated map information.
Remember: Text “OSMP” to 888-777 to sign up for muddy trails text updates.

04/14/2025

Muddy trail closures are back on the menu.

Some OSMP muddy trails are now closed. This includes North Sky, Left Hand Trail, BVR areas, and Doudy/Flatirons Vista areas. Please go to osmptrails.org for updated map information.

Remember: Text “OSMP” to 888-777 to sign up for muddy trails text updates.

03/31/2025

Tis the season. For muddy trails and spring flowers!
Spring Flowers are just starting to pop out, and so is the mud.
Not surprisingly after Saturdays heavy rains we've got some wet and muddy trails and some closures in place. Mainly the south side of town and north side (see map link). If you head out on the trails this week, be prepared for some sloppy conditions.
https://maps.bouldercolorado.gov/osmp-trails/?_ga=2.150221621.281339460.1743429921-1914718106.1743429921