Sawhill Ponds

Click the map for a larger PDF map (2.12 MB).

LOCATION

East of the Boulder city limits on the west side of 75th Street, 0.6 mile north of Valmont Road.

Please check for temporary or seasonal closures or advisories.

PARKING

A parking lot at the trailhead.

TRAILS

Sawhill Ponds Wildlife Preserve is owned by Colorado Parks & Wildlife and managed by the Open Space and Mountain Parks Department. There are trails that wind along the ponds. There are opportunities for hiking, wildlife observation and nature study, picnicking, photography, and fishing. All park rules and regulations are strictly enforced. Swimming and boats are prohibited.

Click here for a detailed map of the ponds, including dog regulations and pond names.

For unbelievable photos of the wildlife at Sawhill Ponds, visit our photo gallery (follow this link).

FISHING

Sawhill Ponds Wildlife Preserve is owned by Colorado Parks & Wildlife and managed by the Open Space and Mountain Parks Department. All Colorado Parks & Wildlife fishing regulations apply, including special catch size limits posted on-site. Live bait may only be used in ponds 1 and 1A, immediately adjacent to the parking area. Artificial lures and flies are required in all other ponds. Visit our web page for anglers for more information about fishing opportunities and regulations. 

Fishing line and trash can kill wildlife. Please pick up all plastic trash you find! Discarded fishing line is especially dangerous to wildlife. Animals may eat or become entangled in litter, causing them to drown or starve to death.

ACCESSIBILITY

This area is identified as being popular with people using wheelchairs. See the  Trails Accessibility Guide (TAP) 2.56 Mb.

BUS CONNECTIONS

An RTD bus passes fairly close to this trailhead. See Bus connections in English, Autobuses en español.

RESTROOMS

Facilities are available.

PICNIC FACILITIES...Several picnic tables are available adjacent to the main parking lot, along with benches and a boardwalk. There is a covered picnic pavilion. No drinking water is available.

BIKE REGULATIONS

No bicycles are allowed in this area.

DOG REGULATIONS

Dogs must be leashed at all times west of the main parking lot. To the east of the main parking lot, dogs must be on a hand-held leash at all times unless they meet the voice and sight control standard and display a City of Boulder Voice and Sight tag. Dog excrement removal is required by law.

HORSE REGULATIONS

Allowed on all trails. Off-trail riding is discouraged to protect rare plants and wildlife habitat.

WILDLIFE

Sawhill Ponds is the home to many different kinds of waterfowl, fish, birds of prey, amphibians and reptiles. During spring and fall, the ponds provide a stop-over for migrating ducks.

HISTORIC INFO

The 18 ponds at Sawhill are the result of a gravel mining operation and reclamation project. Boulder Creek, now at the northwestern boundary of the ponds, has traversed the entire area in the geologic past. This ancient floodplain laid down great quantities of sand and gravel, and these deposits were mined for several decades until the early 1970s. When the mining ceased, groundwater filled the pits resulting in a wetland area that provides marvelous habitat for many species of wildlife. The ponds are stocked by Colorado Parks & Wildlife, and warm water fishing is a popular activity.

Before You Go

Please know OSMP rules and regulations.

Please study our six Leave No Trace" Principles to protect the land.

Dog owners: see our special dog page.

Hikers and climbers: Please be aware of all area closures.

Mountain bikers: Follow this link for trails where you can bike.

Last Updated on Friday, 26 October 2012 14:30