Opportunities From: Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado

Where You’ll Be: 

Button Rock Preserve is a 3,000-acre nature preserve outside of Lyons that protects the primary drinking water source for more than 110,000 Boulder County residents. The area supports passive recreation like hiking, rock climbing, and fishing along North St. Vrain Creek, Longmont Reservoir, and Ralph Price Reservoir. Volunteers will work in a scenic, high-use recreation area while helping care for an important community resource.

Nearest town: Lyons

The specific location will be shared with all registered volunteers 2 weeks before the project.

What You’ll Do: 

Volunteers will support trail restoration work along the South Cove Trail at Button Rock Preserve.

The focus is on approximately 720 feet of trail that is severely undercut and collapsing into the reservoir, creating safety, access, and water quality concerns. Tasks may include defining trail tread, improving drainage for water to flow off the trail, building small reroutes, and assisting with retaining wall construction to stabilize eroding sections. This is a technical trail project in steep terrain and requires focused, hands-on work.

Why It Matters: 

South Cove Trail’s condition directly affects visitor safety, water quality, and access within a high-use recreation area. Restoring this trail segment will reduce erosion into the reservoir, improve safety for hikers, and support long-term stewardship and infrastructure resilience at Button Rock Preserve. 

Enjoy breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday, with dinner on Saturday. Bring your own dinner on Friday night, and enough snacks for the weekend.

Free campsites are available on Friday and Saturday nights, and volunteers are encouraged to arrive at base camp before 8 pm on Friday.

Support This Project as a Crew Chef Helper!

We provide full meals on our overnight projects to ensure volunteers are well-fed and ready for a day of volunteering, and we could use your help to make it happen!

View this document to learn more about how to support and sign up.

Eligibility Requirements: 

- Ages: 16+  

For overnight projects, all youth under 18 must be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or older.

Project Difficulty: 

This project is considered Difficult; please check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details. 

Physical Considerations:  

This work may include kneeling, bending, and working close to the ground for extended periods; exposure to sun and outdoor elements; exposure to insects such as bees and wasps; carrying and placing heavy materials like rocks and logs; digging and shoveling; and working near water with potentially muddy or slippery footing. Volunteers should be prepared for a 6.5 to 7-hour workday that requires physical stamina, with breaks encouraged as needed.

Access Factors:  

Vehicle Access: No vehicle restrictions – 2WD accessible  

Other Notes: Cell service may be spotty in this area.

Join us in reducing our carbon footprint by carpooling! Click here to sign up for the carpool (please do this after registering for the project).

If you enjoy projects that include components of rock work, you can view similar projects here.

Where You’ll Be: 

A quick drive from Denver, Golden Gate Canyon State Park spans 12,000 acres, and features trails that pass through varied landscapes, including forests, rocky peaks, and aspen-lined meadows. The park attracts nearly 1 million visitors annually, offering opportunities for activities such as hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing. Expect beautiful scenery, rock formations, and the possibility of wildlife sightings, such as deer, elk, and various birds.

Nearest town: Golden, CO 80403

The specific location will be shared with all registered volunteers 2 weeks before the project.

What You’ll Do: 

This trail project is all about building a more sustainable route in a popular part of the park. The focus is on enhancing sustainability, with tasks ranging from moderate to challenging, including: 

trail construction, rock wall building, and creating switchbacks for those seeking a technical challenge.

No trail building experience is required, just the desire to learn and give back to a well-loved State Park. 

Please bring your own lunch for the day! 

Why It Matters: 

High visitation at Golden Gate Canyon State Park means heavy wear on trails, especially along the Raccoon Trail near Reverend’s Ridge Campground and Panorama Point. This section is steep and has ongoing sustainability and safety challenges for visitors.

In 2020, volunteers began a long-term effort to close the unsustainable trail segment and build a safer, more sustainable reroute. By joining this project, you will be contributing to a six-year effort that improves trail safety and protects the park experience for years to come.

Eligibility Requirements: 

Ages 16+  

Project Difficulty: 

This project is considered moderate to difficult. Please check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details. 

General physical considerations for participating on this project may include moderate lifting and tool use; digging, shoveling, and moving soil and rocks; repetitive bending, lifting, and walking; hiking to the work site while carrying tools; bending, picking up objects, carrying tools, swinging heavier tools, digging, and stretching.

Access Factors: 

Vehicle Accessibility: 2WD Accessible  

Other Notes: There is limited cell service.

Join us in reducing our carbon footprint by carpooling!  Click here to sign up for the carpool (please do this after registering for the project)

If you enjoy trail construction projects, you can view similar projects here.

If you enjoy projects that include components of rock work, you can view similar projects here.

Where You’ll Be: 

This project takes place along the Guanella Pass Scenic Byway, a well-known mountain route connecting Highway 285 and I-70. The area offers opportunities for wildlife viewing, hiking, mountain biking, and access to nearby four-wheel drive roads.

Shelf Lake is reached by a 3.2-mile trail that begins around 10,000 feet in a spruce-fir forest and climbs to roughly 12,000 feet into alpine tundra. Along the way, you can expect wide views of the surrounding landscape, with summer wildflowers appearing for those willing to explore.

Nearest town: Grant, CO

The specific location will be shared with all registered volunteers 2 weeks before the project.

What You’ll Do: 

Volunteers will continue trail work started in previous years on the Shelf Lake Trail. Tasks may include stabilizing stream crossings, installing drainage features, and placing rock check steps to reduce erosion on the trail surface.

The exact work plan will be finalized after a spring assessment of winter damage. No prior trail experience is required.

Please bring your own lunch for the day.

This project will be led by Steve West, one of VOC’s most experienced volunteers, who has participated in more than 300 VOC projects since 1991.

Why It Matters: 

Increased use of the Shelf Lake Trail has led to significant wear and erosion in recent years. This project helps address trail degradation, improves sustainability, and ensures visitors can safely enjoy this popular destination.

The South Platte Ranger District lacks the staff capacity to complete this work, making volunteer support essential to maintaining the trail.

Eligibility Requirements: 

Ages 18+ 

Project Difficulty: 

This project is rated moderate to difficult. Please check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details. 

Physical considerations: Volunteers can expect hiking, and tasks that may include bending to lift heavy objects, stretching to reach materials, and strenuous tasks such as swinging tools.

Access Factors: 

Vehicle Access: The drive to the worksite is on a rough mountain road. While a cautious 2WD driver can make it, a 4WD vehicle is preferable. 

Other Notes: Nearby camping is available for volunteers who want to spend more time in the mountains. The trail is accessible via the Guanella Pass Byway, a well-known route connecting Highway 285 and I-70.

If you enjoy trail maintenance, you can view similar projects here. 

If you enjoy projects that include components of rock work, you can view similar projects here.

Where You’ll Be:  

State Forest State Park spans 71,000 acres of rugged Colorado wilderness, featuring dense forests, jagged peaks, and pristine alpine lakes. The American Lakes Trail, where you’ll be working, has grown in popularity due to its high-alpine scenery and access to three stunning lakes. It’s a sought-after destination for backpackers and serves as a gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park via Thunder Pass. In winter, part of the trail is groomed for snowmobiling.

What You’ll Do: 

Volunteers will help complete a long-term trail reroute on the American Lakes Trail by constructing new trail to replace an eroded section located on an old logging road. This hands-on work will improve trail sustainability and protect the surrounding landscape. VOC originally built much of this reroute trail in the early 2000s, and volunteers have recently returned over the past four seasons to address ongoing erosion issues. Since 2023, crews have completed maintenance and nearly 600 feet of new reroute, with 260 feet left before this section can open to the public. Join us to help finish this important reroute.

Enjoy breakfast and lunch on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with dinner on Friday and Saturday. Bring your own dinner on Thursday night, and enough snacks for the weekend.

As part of this three-day project, you will backpack 3.5 miles to base camp, where volunteers are encouraged to arrive before 8 pm on Thursday. Free campsites are available on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.

Support This Project as a Crew Chef Helper! 

We provide full meals on our overnight projects to ensure volunteers are well-fed and ready for a day of volunteering — and we could use your help to make it happen! 

View this document to learn more about how to support and sign up. 

Why It Matters:  

Because the State Forest State Park is a popular destination in the summer and winter months, attracting hundreds of visitors each week during peak periods, many of these visitors use the trail system and camp or stay in nearby campgrounds or privately owned cabins. Many of these visitors will use the American Lakes Trail and will appreciate a much safer, more sustainable trail.

The trail reroute will improve the recreational experience for equestrians and mountain bikers by providing a safer, more comfortable route, free of a steep section with deep erosion channels and loose rock.

Eligibility Requirements:   

Ages 18+   

Project Difficulty: 

This project is considered difficult. Check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details. 

General physical considerations for participating on this project. Some or all may apply: moderate lifting and tool use; digging, shoveling, moving soil and rocks; repetitive bending, lifting, and walking; may require hiking to access work site while carrying tools; you can expect to bend over, pick objects up, move rocks, carry tools, swing heavy tools, dig, and stretch.

Volunteers will hike 3.5 miles to base camp on the first day and must commit to all three days of the project.

Access Factors: 

Vehicle Accessibility:  2WD Accessible

Other notes:   Volunteers will be required to attend all three days of the project. There is no cell service at the site.

If you enjoy projects that include components of rock work, you can view similar projects here.

Where You’ll Be: 

This project takes place along the Guanella Pass Scenic Byway, a well-known mountain route connecting Highway 285 and I-70. The area offers opportunities for wildlife viewing, hiking, mountain biking, and access to nearby four-wheel drive roads.

Shelf Lake is reached by a 3.2-mile trail that begins around 10,000 feet in a spruce-fir forest and climbs to roughly 12,000 feet into alpine tundra. Along the way, you can expect wide views of the surrounding landscape, with summer wildflowers appearing for those willing to explore.

Nearest town: Grant, CO

The specific location will be shared with all registered volunteers 2 weeks before the project.

What You’ll Do: 

Volunteers will continue trail work started in previous years on the Shelf Lake Trail. Tasks may include stabilizing stream crossings, installing drainage features, and placing rock check steps to reduce erosion on the trail surface.

The exact work plan will be finalized after a spring assessment of winter damage. No prior trail experience is required.

Please bring your own lunch for the day.

This project will be led by Steve West, one of VOC’s most experienced volunteers, who has participated in more than 300 VOC projects since 1991.

Why It Matters: 

Increased traffic on the Shelf Lake Trail in recent years has caused significant wear and tear. This project helps address trail degradation, supports its sustainability, and ensures visitors can safely enjoy this popular area.

The South Platte Ranger District does not have the staff capacity to complete this work, making volunteer efforts critical to maintaining this trail.  

Eligibility Requirements: 

Ages 18+ 

Project Difficulty: 

This project is rated moderate to difficult. Please check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details. 

Physical considerations: Volunteers can expect hiking and tasks that may include bending to lift heavy objects, stretching to reach materials, and strenuous tasks such as swinging tools.

Access Factors: 

Vehicle Access: The drive to the worksite is on a rough mountain road. While a cautious 2WD driver can make it, a 4WD vehicle is preferable. 

Other Notes: Nearby camping is available for volunteers who want to spend more time in the mountains. The trail is accessible via the Guanella Pass Byway, a well-known route connecting Highway 285 and I-70.

If you enjoy trail maintenance, you can view similar projects here. 

If you enjoy projects that include components of rock work, you can view similar projects here.

Where You’ll Be: 

A quick drive from Denver, Golden Gate Canyon State Park spans 12,000 acres, and features trails that pass through varied landscapes, including forests, rocky peaks, and aspen-lined meadows. The park attracts nearly 1 million visitors annually, offering opportunities for activities such as hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing. Expect beautiful scenery, rock formations, and the possibility of wildlife sightings, such as deer, elk, and various birds.

What You’ll Do:

This trail project is all about building a more sustainable route in a popular part of the park. The focus is on enhancing sustainability, with tasks ranging from moderate to challenging, including: 

trail construction, rock wall building, and creating switchbacks for those seeking a technical challenge.

No trail building experience is required, just the desire to learn and give back to a well-loved State Park. 

Please bring your own lunch for the day! 

Why It Matters: 

High visitation at Golden Gate Canyon State Park means heavy wear on trails, especially along the Raccoon Trail near Reverend’s Ridge Campground and Panorama Point. This section is steep and has ongoing sustainability and safety challenges for visitors.

In 2020, volunteers began a long-term effort to close the unsustainable trail segment and build a safer, more sustainable reroute. By joining this project, you will be contributing to a six-year effort that improves trail safety and protects the park experience for years to come.

Eligibility Requirements: 

Ages 16+  

Project Difficulty: 

This project is considered moderate to difficult. Please check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details. 

General physical considerations for participating on this project may include moderate lifting and tool use; digging, shoveling, and moving soil and rocks; repetitive bending, lifting, and walking; hiking to the work site while carrying tools; bending, picking up objects, carrying tools, swinging heavier tools, digging, and stretching.

Access Factors: 

Vehicle Accessibility: 2WD Accessible  

Other Notes: There is limited cell service.

Join us in reducing our carbon footprint by carpooling! Click here to sign up for the carpool (please do this after registering for the project)

If you enjoy trail construction projects, you can view similar projects here.

If you enjoy projects that include components of rock work, you can view similar projects here.

Where You’ll Be: 

Nestled in the Upper Yampa River Basin, about 1.5 hours northwest of Steamboat Springs, California Park is a high-elevation meadow known for its stunning views, vibrant wildflowers, and critical role in supporting the Upper Yampa River Basin and Colorado River Basin. This area is vital for water quality and watershed health, making it a key site for restoration efforts.   

The campsite is surrounded by beautiful, rolling, forested hills. While the site is remote, it offers a quiet setting that many people would not otherwise have a reason to visit.

You'll also likely travel through Steamboat Springs, so you have the chance to tack on a trip to nearby hot springs on the front or back end of the project!

What You’ll Do: 

In year two of this project, help restore this fragile meadow ecosystem by building erosion prevention structures, like Zeedyks and Zuni Bowls, primarily using rocks. These structures are proven, cost-effective methods to slow erosion and restore streams. Tasks will include hiking, moving large rocks, and digging to place them into position.

It’s challenging but rewarding work, you’ll leave with the satisfaction knowing that you've slowed erosion and helped revive a critical part of this watershed! This project will be completed in partnership with National Forest Foundation, Yampa Valley Sustainability Council, and the US Forest Service

Support This Project as a Crew Chef Helper!
We provide full meals on our overnight projects to ensure volunteers are well-fed and ready for a day of volunteering, and we could use your help to make it happen!

View this document to learn more about how to support and sign up!

Why it Matters:

Restoring this meadow helps prevent erosion and improves water quality, which benefits the surrounding forest, the Upper Yampa River Basin, and the Colorado River Basin. These efforts also create "emerald refuges" in arid areas, making the surrounding forests more resilient to wildfires. 

For centuries, this meadow has been shaped by grazing, homesteading, mining, and recreation, which has led to significant degradation. Your work will help reverse generations of damage and help the forest resist wildfire. 

Eligibility Requirements:   

Ages 16+   

For overnight projects, all youth under 18 must be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or older. 

Project Difficulty:  

This project is considered moderate to difficult. Check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details.  

General physical considerations for participating in this project. Some or all may apply: 
Working in or near water; potentially muddy or slippery footing; carrying plants, rocks, or tools; insect exposure (mosquitoes), potential for wet conditions; carrying and hauling vegetation; digging, shoveling, moving soil and heavy rocks; repetitive bending, lifting, and walking; and hiking over steep or uneven terrain.

Volunteers will need to hike in to reach the project site at approx. 8500 feet of elevation. 

Access Factors:   

Vehicle Access:  A higher clearance vehicle is needed to access base camp (a Subaru Forester is okay, but a Honda Accord is likely too low).  

Other notes: Cell service is spotty, almost none in the immediate project area but there is cell service outside California Park. No running water. The elevation is 8500 feet. Port-o-let restrooms will be available.

If you enjoy projects that include components of rock work, you can view similar projects here.

Where You’ll Be:

Join us at Majestic View Nature Center (MVNC), a nonprofit that serves the Arvada community by offering a diverse array of public programming designed to foster connections with the natural world. From creative nature art sessions to engaging conservation presentations, MVNC ensures that individuals of all ages in the community can explore their connection with nature. You may be interested in visiting the nature center's exhibitions yourself!

Nearest Town: Arvada, CO

The specific location will be shared with all registered volunteers 2 weeks before the project.

What You’ll Do:

Volunteers will get hands-on experience with stream and habitat restoration by helping build simple rock-and-wood structures (such as one-rock dams, Zuni bowls, and wicker weirs) that slow water flow, capture sediment, and support native plant recovery. Volunteers will move and place rocks, weave woody materials, and help stabilize the stream channel. No experience needed.

Please bring your own lunch for the day.

Why It Matters:

When streams erode, water moves through the landscape too quickly, washing soil away and leaving streambanks dry and unstable. The structures volunteers will build will slow water down, allowing sediment to settle and moisture to soak into the ground instead of rushing downstream.

Holding water in the landscape supports native plants, which stabilize streambanks and create habitat for birds, insects, amphibians, and other wildlife. Over time, this leads to healthier ecosystems, improved water quality, and greater resilience to drought and flooding.

Eligibility Requirements:

Ages 16+ 

Physical Difficulty:

This project includes tasks ranging from moderate to difficult. Please check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details.

General physical considerations for participating in this project (Some or all may apply): lifting and moving large rocks, digging holes, and placing rocks.

Access Factors:

Vehicle Access: 2WD accessible

Other Notes: There will be about a 1/4 mile hike from the parking lot to the work site.

If you enjoy projects that include components of rock work, you can view similar projects here.

Where You’ll Be:

Join us at Majestic View Nature Center (MVNC), a nonprofit that serves the Arvada community by offering a diverse array of public programming designed to foster connections with the natural world. From creative nature art sessions to engaging conservation presentations, MVNC ensures that individuals of all ages in the community can explore their connection with nature. You may be interested in visiting the nature center's exhibitions yourself!

Nearest Town: Arvada, CO

The specific location will be shared with all registered volunteers 2 weeks before the project.

What You’ll Do:

Volunteers will get hands-on experience with stream and habitat restoration by helping build simple rock-and-wood structures (such as one-rock dams, Zuni bowls, and wicker weirs) that slow water flow, capture sediment, and support native plant recovery. Volunteers will move and place rocks, weave woody materials, and help stabilize the stream channel. No experience needed.

Please bring your own lunch for the day.

Why It Matters:

When streams erode, water moves through the landscape too quickly, washing soil away and leaving streambanks dry and unstable. The structures volunteers will build will slow water down, allowing sediment to settle and moisture to soak into the ground instead of rushing downstream.

Holding water in the landscape supports native plants, which stabilize streambanks and create habitat for birds, insects, amphibians, and other wildlife. Over time, this leads to healthier ecosystems, improved water quality, and greater resilience to drought and flooding.

Eligibility Requirements:

Ages 16+ 

Physical Difficulty:

This project includes tasks ranging from moderate to difficult. Please check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details.

General physical considerations for participating in this project (Some or all may apply): lifting and moving large rocks, digging holes, and placing rocks.

Access Factors:

Vehicle Access: 2WD accessible

Other Notes: There will be about a 1/4 mile hike from the parking lot to the work site.

If you enjoy projects that include components of rock work, you can view similar projects here.

Where You'll Be:

William Frederick Hayden Park sits atop Green Mountain, a prominent open space in the heart of Lakewood and one of the most well-loved urban parks on the west side of the Denver metro area. Originally donated by the Hayden family in 1972, the park now spans more than 2,400 acres, making it Lakewood’s second largest park.

Its extensive network of multi-use trails draws more than 250,000 visitors each year, offering an easy escape from the city for hikers, trail runners, mountain bikers, and families. From the 6,800-foot summit, visitors enjoy wide views of both downtown Denver to the east and the Front Range to the west, while the park also provides important habitat for wildlife including mule deer, elk, and great horned owls.

The specific location will be shared with all registered volunteers 2 weeks before the project. 

What You'll Do:

After a major trail reroute in 2018, some hikers have been cutting switchbacks along the middle section of the Rooney Valley Trail to avoid bike traffic and take a more direct route. We will be responding to these hikers recreating patters helping build rock steps that create a designated pedestrian bypass.

This allows hikers a more direct route while keeping the longer, gently graded switchbacks intact for wheeled trail users. Volunteers will assist with the construction of rock steps.

Please bring your own lunch for the day.

Why it Matters: 

The existing social trail follows a steep slope and is not sustainable. Continued use degrades wildlife habitat and spreads noxious weeds that threaten the native shortgrass prairie. Building this bypass helps protect sensitive habitat, reduces erosion, and supports the long-term goal of making every trail in William Frederick Hayden Park both sustainable and enjoyable.

Eligibility Requirements:

Ages 16+

Project Difficulty:

This project is considered moderate to difficult. Please check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details. 

General physical considerations for participating on this project (Some or all may apply): moderate lifting and tool use; digging, shoveling, moving soil and rocks; repetitive bending, lifting, and walking; may require hiking to access work site while carrying tools; you can expect to bend over, pick objects up, move rocks, carry tools, swing heavy tools, dig, and stretch.

Access Factors:

Vehicle Access: 2WD accessible

Other Notes: The hike from the parking lot to the project site is about 2 miles uphill. The work area is heavily sun-exposed.

If you enjoy projects that include components of rock work, you can view similar projects here.

Where You’ll Be: 

Mt. Sneffels, located in Ouray, CO, is accessible through Yankee Boy Basin. This basin is home to fields of wildflowers and wildlife and leads up to one of the most beautiful fourteeners in the state. Nestled in the San Juan Mountains, Mt. Sneffels receives about 5,000-7,000 visitors annually, which is relatively low but has some of the worst conditions of the five major ranges, according to a recent report card procured by Colorado Fourteeners Initiative. 

Nearest town: Ouray, CO 81432

The specific location will be shared with all registered volunteers 2 weeks before the project.

What You’ll Do: 

At Mt. Sneffels, several large tundra beds are being undercut due to foot traffic. As soil erodes from beneath plant life, this delicate vegetation dies.

In partnership with Colorado Fourteeners Initiative, volunteers will help construct retaining structures and delineate the trail to ensure the continued health of this important alpine environment. Improvements such as installing tundra support walls and rock check steps will stabilize the footpath, allowing hikers to stay on the route and preventing widening of the existing trail. 

Enjoy breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday, with dinner on Saturday. Bring your own dinner on Friday night, and enough snacks for the weekend.  

Free campsites are available on Friday and Saturday nights, and volunteers are encouraged to arrive at base camp before 8 pm on Friday. 

Support This Project as a Crew Chef Helper! 

We provide full meals on our overnight projects to ensure volunteers are well-fed and ready for a day of volunteering, and we could use your help to make it happen! 

View this document to learn more about how to support and sign up. 

Why It Matters: 

Colorado’s 54 fourteeners (peaks over 14,000 feet in elevation) see over 300,000 hikers and climbers each year – all of whom are traveling through the alpine tundra ecosystem. This ecosystem thrives in an environment of high winds, short growing seasons, and cold winters, but is very easily damaged by foot traffic and erosion. Construction and maintenance of hiking trails on fourteeners prevent impacts to the sensitive plants and wildlife, and restoration projects repair areas that have already been damaged. 

Eligibility Requirements: 

Ages 18+ 

Project Difficulty: 

This project is considered difficult; please check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details. 

General physical considerations for participating in this project (Some or all may apply): long hike to worksite with significant elevation gain; carrying project tools and materials to worksite; digging, shoveling, moving soil and rocks; repetitive bending, lifting, and walking; working at elevation; working and hiking on steep or uneven terrain.  

You can expect to bend, squat, lift heavy objects, dig, reach, stretch, lean, rotate, and engage many muscle groups, all at a high elevation. This project is not for the faint of heart!    

The hike from the campsite to the worksite is up to 2 miles. Volunteers may be hauling project materials up the trail to the worksite (logs for structures). 

Access Factors:  

Vehicle Access: Moderate vehicle clearance and AWD is require to get to the camping location. 

Other Notes: This is a remote project. There is no cell service at the campsite or worksite.

Join us in reducing our carbon footprint by carpooling! Click here to sign up for the carpool (please do this after registering for the project).

If you enjoy trail maintenance, you can view similar projects here. 

If you enjoy projects that include components of rock work, you can view similar projects here.

Where You’ll Be: 

Button Rock Preserve is a 3,000-acre nature preserve outside of Lyons that protects the primary drinking water source for more than 110,000 Boulder County residents. The area supports passive recreation like hiking, rock climbing, and fishing along North St. Vrain Creek, Longmont Reservoir, and Ralph Price Reservoir. Volunteers will work in a scenic, high-use recreation area while helping care for an important community resource.

Nearest town: Lyons

The specific location will be shared with all registered volunteers 2 weeks before the project.

What You’ll Do: 

Volunteers will support trail restoration work along the South Cove Trail at Button Rock Preserve.

The focus is on approximately 720 feet of trail that is severely undercut and collapsing into the reservoir, creating safety, access, and water quality concerns. Tasks may include defining trail tread, improving drainage for water to flow off the trail, building small reroutes, and assisting with retaining wall construction to stabilize eroding sections. This is a technical trail project in steep terrain and requires focused, hands-on work.

Why It Matters: 

South Cove Trail’s condition directly affects visitor safety, water quality, and access within a high-use recreation area. Restoring this trail segment will reduce erosion into the reservoir, improve safety for hikers, and support long-term stewardship and infrastructure resilience at Button Rock Preserve. 

Enjoy breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday, with dinner on Saturday. Bring your own dinner on Friday night, and enough snacks for the weekend.

Free campsites are available on Friday and Saturday nights, and volunteers are encouraged to arrive at base camp before 8 pm on Friday.

Support This Project as a Crew Chef Helper!

We provide full meals on our overnight projects to ensure volunteers are well-fed and ready for a day of volunteering, and we could use your help to make it happen!

View this document to learn more about how to support and sign up.

Eligibility Requirements: 

- Ages: 16+  

For overnight projects, all youth under 18 must be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or older.

Project Difficulty: 

This project is considered Difficult; please check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details. 

Physical Considerations:  

This work may include kneeling, bending, and working close to the ground for extended periods; exposure to sun and outdoor elements; exposure to insects such as bees and wasps; carrying and placing heavy materials like rocks and logs; digging and shoveling; and working near water with potentially muddy or slippery footing. Volunteers should be prepared for a 6.5 to 7-hour workday that requires physical stamina, with breaks encouraged as needed.

Access Factors:  

Vehicle Access: No vehicle restrictions – 2WD accessible  

Other Notes: Cell service may be spotty in this area.

Join us in reducing our carbon footprint by carpooling! Click here to sign up for the carpool (please do this after registering for the project).

If you enjoy projects that include components of rock work, you can view similar projects here.