There's also a lovely stone shelter that can be reserved for gatherings. Keep your eyes on the road and let your passengers describe the human flies climbing on the rock formations. To get there, take Baseline Road west, follow it's curve to the right and up Flagstaff. Boulder's foresight in preserving natural areas while other nearby cities were building housing and more housing resulted in a glut of visitors to Boulder's open space. Self-service stations for the daily permits are available at all the parking areas.
Rangers patrol the lots and ticket cars without permits.
Rangers also offer a series of free hikes and educational programs in the mountain parks in search of wildflowers, bugs, bats and other wildlife. They even offer an evaluation of canine citizenship to help owners determine if their dogs are well-trained enough to handle the distractions of a hike in the mountain parks. More than 100 miles of hiking trails lace Boulder's scenic mountain backdrop. Popular trailheads begin at Chautauqua Park, Flagstaff Mountain, the National Center for Atmospheric Research and Eldorado Springs. At the base of the Flatirons, Boulder's first park opened as a summer camp and retreat for visitors from Texas in 1898 and was originally called Texado Park.