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Located along the St. Vrain River, this property can be accessed from Ken Pratt Blvd/ Hwy 119 at the eastern entrance to the Sandstone Ranch Park. Travel south along Sandstone Drive and follow signs to the District Park trailhead. Handicap accessible parking is also provided at the Visitors Center. A trail loop around the District Park property accesses the overlook and passes near the historic stone quarry and St. Vrain River. Look for interpretive signs along the way that highlight unique features found at Sandstone ranch. The park is also accessible via the St. Vrain Greenway trail. The distance from Golden Ponds to Sandstone Ranch is slightly over 8 miles. Due to wildlife concerns, No dogs are allowed on the trail east of County Line Road (Weld County Road 1).
History and wildlife are featured at this unique property along the St. Vrain river in eastern Longmont. The historic homestead property has been preserved by Great Outdoors Colorado and Colorado Historical Society Conservation easements. Exhibits at Sandstone Ranch District Park provide information on the unique geology and wildlife found at the site. They also help portray life as it was more than a century ago. A trip to the 1880's era homestead includes historical and environmental hands-on displays in the Visitor Center, as well as educational exhibits in the ice house, tool shed and barn.
The history of Sandstone Ranch is rich and diverse (link to history). 
The District Park is open from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. Disruption to wildlife is minimized by respecting hours of closure. No dogs are allowed in the District park portion of the park! Wildlife is abundant and sensitive to disruption - please respect these rules.
Visitor Center Hours
Year round:
March - October:
The Visitor Center includes hands-on
displays on environmental features of the area, as well as history of the
Coffin family who homesteaded the site, and other early Longmont history.
There is no admission fee to the Visitor Center. A nature trail from the Visitor
Center takes you past several historical buildings, near the sandstone bluffs,
and includes a scenic overlook. Numerous species of wildlife and birds are
seen frequently on the property including white-tailed deer, wild turkey, bald eagles and red-tailed hawk.
The Visitor Center is staffed by volunteers. We are currently seeking volunteers to host the Visitor
Center to do educational programs and many other tasks. This is a great opportunity to learn about local wildlife and
history, meet people from the community, and enjoy spending time in a beautiful
location. Call 303-774-4692 for information, or e-mail ann.turbin@ci.longmont.co.us .
Programs for All Ages (Please take note, Small fees and reservations needed for some events)
2010 Events
We’ll join with Boulder County Parks and Open Space Volunteer Naturalists to learn about spiders, snakes, bats and owls. Each of these creatures has specially designed adaptations that allow them to survive but we think are creepy. Details to come.
Discover fall at Sandstone Ranch. The house will be decorated, the cookies ready for decorating, traditional crafts waiting to be made, stories to be told and a horse drawn trolley to be ridden. Details to come.
Our resident beekeeper, Don Potratz, will be holding 1 special event this year.
Honey harvest event
Don will be harvesting the honey from the hives and you’re invited to help. You’ll watch as he removes the supers from the hives and then you can help with the decapping and spinning processes. Due to the nature of this event, the number of participants will be limited to 25 people. For reservations, please call 303-774-4692.
Also in the planning stages are the following activities:
School groups are encouraged to visit Sandstone Ranch. Call to learn about the programs offered 303-774-4692.
Group Tours are offered as requested. Call to make a reservation 303-774-4692 or e-mail Sharon.bokan@ci.longmont.co.us.
Currently no weddings or private public events are allowed at the Visitor Center.
Other programs are available for groups on a reservation basis with a minimal fee to cover costs. For information or to make a reservation, call 303-774-4692.
If you're looking for a way to give back to your community, consider sharing your time at this beautiful place. Here are a few possibilities for sharing your time as a volunteer:
For more information about volunteer opportunities, call 303-774-4692.
DirectionsThe Visitor Center is located off Highway 119, one mile east of Weld County Road 1. Take the second (east) entrance to the Sandstone Ranch area, turning south on Sandstone Drive. Follow the directional signs to the Visitor Center parking lot.