For a first Devil's Backbone hike near Loveland, begin with the trailhead reached from U.S. Highway 34 and Hidden Valley Drive. Then choose your route before leaving the parking area: the county's suggested Wild Loop outing reaches the Keyhole and returns in approximately 2.4 miles.
That combination—correct trailhead plus a defined route—is more useful than navigating to the general open-space name and deciding on mileage later. This guide uses Larimer County resources checked October 20, 2026. It is a planning aid, not a report that trails are open or conditions are suitable on the day you visit.
Find the Devil's Backbone trailhead off Highway 34
Larimer County's official directions tell visitors coming from Loveland to head west on Highway 34, turn north onto Hidden Valley Drive just past mile marker 88, and look for the trailhead on the left.
Use the map link on that county page when setting your destination. Before starting the drive, compare the final approach with those directions. If navigation sends you somewhere that does not match the Highway 34/Hidden Valley Drive approach, stop and recheck rather than following a pin toward an unfamiliar access point.
Save the route information before you leave. At the trailhead, use the kiosk and posted signs to confirm where your chosen walk begins. A broad open-space label is not a substitute for identifying the specific entrance and trail.
Choose the Wild Loop or the Keyhole out-and-back
The county's Loop Trails guide describes the Keyhole as 1.1 miles from the trailhead. Its suggested Wild Loop continues north to the lower-loop junction and returns for a 2.4-mile round trip. The same guide describes the Keyhole out-and-back as 2.2 miles round trip.
Those figures describe particular routes, not every possible outing in the open space. Adding another loop or continuing onto a connecting trail changes the distance. Decide whether you want the loop or the out-and-back, then check the route against the map and junction signs as you go.
Do not turn a short visit into a longer hike simply because another trail looks inviting. Keep your available daylight, water and turnaround plan in mind. There is no need to finish a planned loop if conditions or your comfort level change.
Read the trail-use labels carefully
The brochure linked by Larimer County identifies Wild Loop as hiking only and Hidden Valley Trail as biking/running only, with no hiking. Similar-sounding place and trail names can make a casual glance at a map misleading.
Check the posted use designation before entering a trail. This guide is for the walking outing; it does not recommend using a bike or running route as a hiking shortcut. Follow current signs and closures if they differ from an older saved map.
The brochure also prohibits rock climbing, calls for leashed pets in the applicable areas, and advises visitors to stay on trail and watch for rattlesnakes. Keep the outing on the designated route rather than scrambling onto the rock formation for a photograph. Do not approach or try to identify wildlife at close range.
Budget for the entrance permit
As checked October 20, the county's entrance-permit page lists Devil's Backbone at $10 per vehicle for a daily permit. It also explains annual permits and purchase options, including posted Text2Park instructions.
Follow the current on-site payment and display requirements, and verify that any pass you already hold is valid here. Buying a permit does not reserve a parking space. The county warns that pre-purchasing through Text2Park does not guarantee parking.
Another option to investigate in advance is the county's Discover Pack program. Participating libraries and Natural Resources offices lend packs that include a parking pass for county Natural Resources properties. Check availability and borrowing conditions directly; the county says packs cannot be placed on hold, and borrowing one does not guarantee parking either.
Check parking, daylight and conditions before leaving
The park page includes a parking-lot webcam, and the county asks visitors who find the lot full to choose another open space and return another time. It lists Devil's Backbone as a sunrise-to-sunset destination.
Check the county trail-conditions resources, the forecast and posted notices before committing to the outing. A clear webcam view does not establish trail conditions, and an open parking space does not guarantee the route is appropriate for you.
Bring water, sun protection, snacks, suitable footwear and weather-appropriate layers. Save the official map for reference and allow time for stops, photos and the return trip. This article does not certify an accessible route or estimate a completion time; ask the county about specific access needs.
Make it part of exploring Loveland
If outdoor access is part of your relocation research, start with our Loveland community guide and browse other destinations on the NoCo interactive map. Use the county's trail resources for hiking navigation, not the relocation map as a substitute trail map.
When comparing homes, test the actual trip to the entrance you would use. A property described as close to open space does not automatically have direct public trail access. Weigh the route and recreation options alongside the property's features, condition and ownership costs.
Quick first-visit questions
Is the Keyhole 1.1 miles round trip?
No. The county describes 1.1 miles to reach it; the listed out-and-back is 2.2 miles, and its suggested loop is 2.4 miles.
Should I follow any map pin labeled Devil's Backbone?
Compare it with the county's official trailhead directions and map link before driving. For this outing, confirm the Hidden Valley Drive approach off Highway 34.
Thinking about making Loveland or another Northern Colorado community home? Contact Brandon Kite to discuss the places and property features you want nearby. NoCo Living with Brandon Kite, American Home Agents.