Loveland Opens 7.65-Mile Dakota-Skyline Trail System

The soft-surface trails cross 418 acres of conserved land west of the city and opened to day users on October 30.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Hiking

Gouache-painted editorial illustration of a dirt trail winding through dry prairie grass toward a low sandstone ridge at golden hour. — The City of Loveland opened its 7.65-mile Dakota-Skyline Trail System on October 30, crossing 418 acres of conserved land west of the city. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The City of Loveland opened the 7.65-mile Dakota-Skyline Trail System west of the city on October 30, crossing 418 acres of conserved land across the Skyline and Dakota Ridge natural areas. The soft-surface trails are open for day use from dawn to dusk.

Why it matters

The trails give hikers and mountain bikers a new network of routes in conserved open space near Loveland. The project was paid for with Larimer County Open Space Tax funds rather than the city's general fund.

The trail system spans 7.65 miles with more than 400 feet of elevation change and two trailheads offering parking, restrooms, maps and posted regulations. Its $2.7 million construction cost was funded by the Larimer County Open Space Tax, and the city has not said when volunteer restoration programs will start.

The players

City of Loveland

The city of Loveland, Colorado, owns the parcels and operates the Dakota-Skyline Trail System.

Larimer County

Larimer County, Colorado, levies the Open Space Tax whose revenue funded the purchase and construction of the trails.

The details

Dogs are prohibited on the trail system, and e-bikes are allowed only on the Dakota Trail in the northeastern portion of the property. Loveland bought the parcels between 2015 and 2026 using its share of the county tax.

Loveland began purchasing the parcels in 2015 and completed purchases through 2026.
Construction of the trail system began in October 2025.
The trails opened to hikers and mountain bikers on October 30, 2026.

Hiking Trends

The project extends Loveland's use of Larimer County Open Space Tax revenue, which funded both the purchase of the parcels and the $2.7 million trail construction.

Hikers and mountain bikers can use the two trailheads, one on Highway 34 near Rossum Drive and one at 4284 W. 43rd St., but dogs are not allowed and e-bikes are limited to the Dakota Trail. The trails are open from dawn to dusk for day use only.

The takeaway

Check the posted regulations at either trailhead before you go, since dogs are banned and e-bikes are restricted to one trail. Plan to finish your hike before dusk, when day-use hours end.