Thorne Nature Experience Summer Camp's Favorite Natural Areas
Exploring Golden Ponds in Longmont, Colorado
One thing that we hear often from camp families is, “My child told me about this awesome place that you went at camp and they really want to go back there!” Thorne Summer Camp visits a handful of fantastic open spaces and natural areas. Here’s a list of the places that we currently visit so you can go out to explore them with your family.
Boulder:
Betasso Preserve- Betasso Rd, Boulder, CO 80302
Highlights and favorite spots: Fantastic foothill location with mountain views in a ponderosa pine forest that overlooks Boulder. We like the Canyon Loop and the wooded areas that you can explore as you hike. Please note that this is a popular area for mountain biking, so it is best to visit on Wednesdays and Saturdays when the trail is closed to bikes.
CLICK HERE for more info.
Chautauqua- 900 Baseline Rd &, 9th St, Boulder, CO 80302
Highlights and favorite spots: A Boulder classic! We love many places at Chautauqua but some of our favorites are Gregory Canyon, McClintock Trail, and the first grove of deciduous trees as you hike up the main Chautauqua trail. If you’re looking for less of a hike, the bush tunnels surrounding the Chautauqua Green are also a lot of fun.
CLICK HERE for more info.
Mt. Sanitas- 501 Sunshine Canyon Dr, Boulder, CO 80302
Highlights and favorite trails: Great spot for playing around on rocks and checking out the incredible city view. We enjoy the stone hut on the Dakota Ridge Trail and love seeing Western Fence Lizards on the Red Rocks Trail.
CLICK HERE for more info.
Sawhill Ponds/Walden Ponds- 3400 75th St, Boulder, CO 80301
Highlights and favorite spots: One of the best places to find creatures in Boulder! From birds to reptiles, there’s so much to explore and see at Sawhill and Walden. Walden Ponds has a boardwalk for bird viewing and the ponds will delight kids for hours. Rumor has it that you can even see fireflies at Sawhill Ponds.
CLICK HERE for more info on Sawhill Ponds and HERE for more info on Walden Ponds.
Lafayette:
Coal Creek Trail- There are various access points. We like to access from the trailhead near Ryan Elementary (1405 Centaur Village Dr, Lafayette, CO 80026), S. Public Road Trailhead (110 Old Laramie Trail, Lafayette, CO 80026), or from our new headquarters, the Lafayette Nature Center at 300 Old Laramie Trail E, Lafayette, 80026.
Highlights and favorite spots: The Coal Creek corridor is one of our favorite natural spaces with year-round water access, abundant flora and fauna, and beautiful shady trees.
CLICK HERE for more info.
Longmont:
We get the most questions about Longmont's natural areas. Kids love them and want to go back again and again!
Golden Ponds- 2651 3rd Ave, Longmont, CO 80503
Highlights and favorite spots: Hidden gem in Longmont with shade trees, ponds, the St. Vrain River, and so much more. Anywhere that you go at Golden Ponds is fun!
CLICK HERE for more info.
Roger’s Grove- 220 Hover St, Longmont, CO 80501
Highlights and favorite spots: Over 50 acres of trails adjacent to the St. Vrain greenway. Also has an arboretum, outdoor learning center, and an apple grove where you can harvest fruit for free.
CLICK HERE for more info.
Follow the link below to learn more about Thorne’s hands-on, nature play-based programs in Boulder, Lafayette, and Longmont. You can also come visit us at our new Lafayette Nature Center, Thorne’s new headquarters and home base for Thorne Nature Preschool.