Stearns Lake and Rock Creek Farm is a 2.3 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Broomfield, Colorado that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail.
Note: As of Oct 15, 2020, a section of the Cradleboard Trail has been rerouted due to eagles nesting. The detour will remain in place until the nesting status of the bald eagle pair is clearly confirmed for the 2020/2021 breeding season. For more information, https://www.bouldercounty.org/open-space/parks-and-trails/carolyn-holmberg-preserve-rock-creek-farm/#detour
January 16, 2021December 30, 2020went to go see the eagle. no eagle. :(
December 18, 2020If you live close by or are passing this area and need a quick break to stretch your legs, than I recommend this loop. The lake is beautiful but nothing super extraordinary with this loop. Due to eagle nesting, a lot of this trail can also be blocked off. It is dog friendly, and I would use this trail only for a “starter” hike for small kids or if I needed a jogging/bike time trial loop.
December 17, 2020November 29, 2020Southern part of trail cradle board is closed due to eagles nest. Dogs must be on leash. Gorgeous in morning with 100s of birds
September 23, 2020Great easy path with lots of cute prairie dogs!
September 19, 2020Very easy going Trail with great view of Rockies and prairie dog villages.
September 16, 2020Makes my visit to the Rock Creek KP in Laffeyette a Fun journey!!!
August 30, 2020Nice quiet country trail, trail wide enough for dog walking allowing others to pass easily. Short, quick, easy walk.
August 8, 2020I chose this trail because it was marked as "forest". Unfortunately, that's not the case. it has several trees along the water but nothing really shading you. It is an easy trail but it's an out and back, not a loop. The straight line on the map is a road.
July 26, 2020Super easy trail, well marked. You’re basically between cow pastures, which makes for a cool country vibe. Lots of bikers and everyone was polite.
July 8, 2020Absolutely beautiful with lots of shaded areas and benches to stop and enjoy the natural beauty of the wildlife habitat.
July 3, 2020Random walk instead of original plan. Only gave it a 3 because it didn’t quite loop around which we may or did goof up. Also it was very very hot, also poor planning on us. It wasn’t bad nice view of the flatirons from afar.
June 29, 2020Would not let my dogs get close to that water. Skipped cattle part of trail due to my dogs and the baby cows
June 29, 2020Nice little stroll with Mountain View’s and lots of June wild flowers. Melody of birds is nice + livestock and crop views. Yucky water (wouldn’t want pup to even wade in it) so 4 instead of 5 for this quiet little path. People fishing for carp, bluegill, catfish.
June 26, 2020Very easy to walk and the trail is small pea gravel. The views are really pretty to watch the sunset over the Rockys! No bathrooms but there is a little covered picnic table.
June 6, 2020Really fun trail 10/10 mostly groomed and some rocky areas if you start where I started, top of the hill it’s fun going down but a serious cardio workout getting back up (for me at least)
June 4, 2020I was able to run all the way around the lake portion it came out on the same dirt road leading to parking. There was a couple open gates but there's nothing saying no trespassing. Just had to run down the dirt road back to the parking lot and then do the other portion of the loop. Not crowded at all. I ran 3 miles, but could easily go farther as trails connect to others.
May 17, 2020Nice and easy hiking in the middle of nowhere. There's a nice pond for fishing and fun trails through farmland. Plenty of prarie dogs running around.
May 12, 2020May 8, 2020Great place, enjoy going to walk around and watch wildlife. If into Wildlife photography recommend zoom lenses. Spring and summer months Wildlife will stay on backside of lake. Only wish trail went all the way around the lake.
March 10, 2020You're unlikely to come across this trail if you aren't looking for it. It is somewhat secluded near the end of a one-way dirt road. It has a bit of a secluded, primitive feel to it because it is surrounded by hills and fields, however, the abundance of barbwire fence, metal cattle gates, exposed pipe, pumps, black-tar construction wrap and concrete canals and spillways really detract from the natural feeling of the place.
February 15, 2020Cute little trail, lots of snow and ice, unfortunately part of the trail was closed.
November 24, 2019Easy trail and pretty views of flat irons, but part of trail was closed so we were only able to go around the lake. Easy for kids, saw a few leashed dogs, and bikers, but not too many.
October 29, 2019Frequent run for me. Great surface, low traffic, and able to keep adding distance. Peaceful and quiet views
