The View from Sandstone Ranch

This past Sunday I spent a couple hours exploring Sandstone Ranch Community Park in Longmont, CO. I was in desperate need of a nature fix and some outdoor exercise and this place definitely did the job. Sandstone Ranch sits on approximately 313 acres of land, with athletic fields, a playground, and a skate park at the entrance close to Hwy. 119, and a historical site and nature area taking up the Southern part of the park.

Built by Morse Coffin in 1860, Sandstone Ranch sits in the shadow of a large sandstone bluff and looks West towards the Colorado Front Range. Just South of the main house, the St. Vrain Creek ripples through dense brush, providing sustenance for the abundant wildlife in the area. On most days the park is filled with walkers, runners, cyclists, and photographers. However, with a cold front moving in and the visitors center closed, encounters with other people were few and far between. Aside from occasional cheers ringing in the end of the youth soccer season, the afternoon was quiet.

With a rustic old barn, an amazing view of Mount Meeker and Longs Peak, and an abundance of natural scenery, Sandstone Ranch is a photographer's dream. I actually learned about the park's nature area from a family friend who had taken my parents there for a couple's photography session. If you walk (or drive and park) to the top of the bluff, you get a great view of Longmont and the Front Range. For runners and cyclists, there is access to a long trail system that follows the St. Vrain Creek through Longmont.

If you live in Longmont, Mead, or the tri-town area (Firestone, Frederick, Dacono) Sandstone Ranch is easily accessible for a quick ride, run, or family outing. I definitely recommend a visit.

Some final notes:

- While dogs are allowed on the athletic fields, in order to protect the local wildlife they are not allowed in the nature/historical area. There is a portion of the St. Vrain Greenway trail that is closed to dogs as well. You can find a map of the area here.

- The visitors center is in the restored Coffin house and is open seasonally.

Tuesdays: 9 am to noon, May 21 through August 27, 2019

Second and Fourth Saturdays: 10 am to 2 pm, May 11 through October 26, 2019

- There are many areas in the park that are closed to people, either to protect the wildlife and vegetation or for restoration purposes. Please practice leave no trace and definitely pack out what you pack in.

Click here to view more photos from Sandstone Ranch.