Wonderland Lake
Wonderland Lake is a small lake in north Boulder, managed by City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks, with a flat, family-friendly loop trail, fishing and birdwatching, and a connection up to the Foothills Trail. It's free, and the trailhead is open 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
Outdoor Boulder › Destinations › Wonderland Lake
Wonderland Lake quick facts
- Loop distance
- Short. The Wonderland Lake Loop circles the lake and is a family-friendly trail. The City of Boulder does not publish an official loop distance.
- Elevation gain
- Minimal. The loop around the lake is nearly flat, which is part of why OSMP rates it mobility-friendly.
- Difficulty
- Easy. Good for families, strollers, and birdwatching.
- Dogs
- Dogs must be on a hand-held leash at all times in this area. The OSMP Voice and Sight tag does not apply at Wonderland Lake.
- Activities
- Walking, birding and wildlife watching, and fishing. Boats, flotation devices, wading, and swimming are not allowed.
- Fee
- Free. There is no entrance or parking fee at the Wonderland Lake Trailhead.
- Parking
- A small lot at the trailhead, 4201 North Broadway: 19 standard spaces plus 2 ADA spaces. The SKIP bus stops on Broadway right by the trailhead.
- Best season
- Year-round. The trailhead is open 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
Wonderland Lake at a glance
Wonderland Lake is a small lake tucked into a north Boulder neighborhood, part of the City of Boulder's Open Space and Mountain Parks system. It's a quieter, gentler outing than the foothill climbs: a flat loop circles the water through a wildlife sanctuary of streams, wetlands, short-grass prairie, and shrubs. Families, stroller-pushers, and birdwatchers love it, and OSMP identifies both the trailhead and the loop as mobility-friendly.
The Wonderland Lake loop
The Wonderland Lake Loop is a family-friendly trail that circles the lake. The City of Boulder doesn't publish an official loop distance, so we won't put a number on it, but it's short and nearly flat, an easy walk you can do with kids in tow. A trail runs along the eastern side of the lake, and many parts of the shoreline are closed to protect wildlife, so stay on the trail and enjoy the birds from a respectful distance.
Fishing at Wonderland Lake
Wonderland Lake is a gem for fishing with kids. Anglers 16 and over need a valid Colorado Parks and Wildlife license. Fish from the open access points, like the trail and the dam; sport chairs can reach the dam for fishing from the Poplar Street access. Boats and flotation devices are not allowed, and neither is wading into the water. Catch-and-release is encouraged, so return fish to the water quickly.
Swimming and water rules
There's no swimming at Wonderland Lake. Swimming isn't allowed in any OSMP body of water, and wading into the lake is specifically prohibited here. This is a wildlife sanctuary and drinking-water-adjacent open space, not a recreation swim lake. If you're after a swim beach, Boulder Reservoir on the north side of town is the place for that.
Dogs at Wonderland Lake
Dogs are welcome, but they must be on a hand-held leash at all times in this area. This is the key thing to know: the OSMP Voice and Sight tag that lets well-trained dogs go off-leash on many foothill trails does not apply at Wonderland Lake. A leash is required even for tagged dogs. Picking up after your dog is required by law, and there's a dog waste station at the trailhead.
Connecting to the Foothills Trail
Wonderland Lake isn't only a lake loop. From the trailhead you can reach the South Foothills Trail and head up toward the foothills, and the Old Kiln and Wonderland Hill trails connect here too. That makes it easy to start flat by the water and add as much climbing as you want. Bikes are allowed on the Foothills Trail and the Wonderland Lake Loop, but not on the short peninsula loop, the Old Kiln Trail, or the Hogback Ridge Trail. Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are allowed on the Wonderland Lake and Foothills South trails.
Trailhead, parking, and getting there
The Wonderland Lake Trailhead is at 4201 North Broadway, north of Sumac and south of Utica on the west side of Broadway. There's a small lot with 19 standard spaces and 2 ADA spaces, and there are no restrooms, so plan ahead. One picnic table sits at the trailhead; grills and stoves are prohibited. The SKIP bus stops on Broadway right by the trailhead, and a bike path runs past, so you don't have to drive. The Foothills Nature Center, a converted farm house used for OSMP programs, sits at the site.
Best season and time to go
Wonderland Lake is a year-round walk, and the trailhead is open 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Spring and early summer bring the most birdlife around the wetlands. If you see algae in the water during warm months, keep yourself and your dog out of it, since some blooms can be harmful. Winter mornings are quiet and often beautiful, just keep pets off any ice.
Nearby trails and guides
- All hikes in Boulder: the full hiking hub, sorted by difficulty.
- Boulder Reservoir: the north-Boulder option when you actually want to swim and paddle.
- All destinations: every place we cover, from flat lake loops to foothill climbs.
Recommended nearby
A few local spots we'd point a Wonderland Lake outing toward.
[CLIENT SLOT: featured cafe in north Boulder near Wonderland Lake]
[One honest line: coffee or a bite before or after the loop.]
[CLIENT SLOT: featured shop near Wonderland Lake]
[One honest line: fishing gear, kids' outdoor supplies, or a picnic run.]
[CLIENT SLOT: featured family spot near Wonderland Lake]
[One honest line: a nearby stop that pairs well with a family walk.]
Wonderland Lake FAQ
Where is Wonderland Lake and how do you get there?
Wonderland Lake is in north Boulder, at the Wonderland Lake Trailhead, 4201 North Broadway (north of Sumac and south of Utica, on the west side of Broadway). There is a small parking lot with 19 standard spaces and 2 ADA spaces, and the SKIP bus stops on Broadway right by the trailhead. It sits along a bike path, so you can also ride in.
Is the Wonderland Lake loop easy? How long is it?
Yes, it's easy. The Wonderland Lake Loop is a family-friendly trail that circles the lake through a diverse ecosystem, and OSMP identifies it as mobility-friendly. The City of Boulder does not publish an official loop distance, so we don't state one here, but it's a short, mostly flat walk that works well for families, strollers, and birdwatching.
Can you swim or fish at Wonderland Lake?
You can fish, but you can't swim. Swimming is not allowed in any OSMP body of water, and wading into the lake is specifically prohibited at Wonderland Lake. Boats and flotation devices aren't allowed either. Fishing is popular here and it's a great spot to fish with kids; anglers 16 and over need a valid Colorado Parks and Wildlife license. Many parts of the shoreline are closed to protect wildlife, so fish only from the open access points like the trail and the dam.
Are dogs allowed at Wonderland Lake?
Yes, but they must be on a hand-held leash at all times in this area. Unlike many OSMP foothill trails, the Voice and Sight tag does not apply at Wonderland Lake, so a leash is required even for tagged dogs. Picking up after your dog is required by law, and there's a dog waste station at the trailhead.
Does Wonderland Lake connect to the Foothills Trail?
Yes. The Wonderland Lake Trailhead provides access to the Wonderland Lake Loop and the South Foothills Trail, and it connects to the Old Kiln and Wonderland Hill trails as well. From the flat lakeside loop you can pick up the Foothills Trail and head up toward the foothills for a longer outing. Bikes are allowed on the Foothills Trail and the Wonderland Lake Loop, but not on the short peninsula loop, the Old Kiln Trail, or the Hogback Ridge Trail.
Sources
Facts on this page are drawn from these authoritative sources: