The Mason Street Trail is a public, paved bicycle trail in Fort Collins, Colorado that serves as a commuter trail to CSU. In addition, it provides safe bicycle access to Fossil Creek Park. Fossil Creek Park is a dog friendly, public area that includes free parking and restrooms. The following blog post describes a fun, family bicycle ride from CSU to Fossil Creek Park. The bike ride is 5.5 miles one way so it totaled ~11 miles for us. Cell phone service was strong on the subsequent bike ride.
Mason Street Trail
Mason Street Trail is a 3.3 mile paved bicycle trail that runs north/south parallel to US-287 (i.e., South College Ave.). The north end of the Mason Street trail can be reached via East Spring Creek trail and West Spring Creek trail. We started from CSU by cycling south on Centre Ave, crossing Prospect Road, and then connecting to West Spring Creek trail. The following picture shows the intersection of Mason Street, East Spring Creek, and West Spring Creek trails. Check out East Spring Creek & Poudre River trails for a similar family friendly bicycle ride.
The Mason Street bicycle trail is interrupted by four street crossings: Drake Road, Swallow Road, Horsetooth Road, and Harmony Road. Each of the four street crossings includes a stop light and crossing signal button to protect cyclists from oncoming traffic.
The Mason Street bike trail is flat and smooth with very little changes in elevation. Riding south, the it declines slightly so the ride back north is more of workout. Bicycle helmets should be worn on the trail even though it is protected from motorists. Also, commuters can benefit from bicycle lights because CSU experiences heavy traffic in the morning and evenings.
The Redtail Grove Natural Area is small park that connects the Mason Street bike trail to the Fossil Creek bike trail.
The Fossil Creek bicycle trail is 1.1 miles long and heads south east along side Fossil Creek Parkway towards Fossil Creek Park.
The bike trail continues into Fossil Creek Park and loops around the Portner Reservoir. Portner Reservoir offers a serene experience. On the other hand, the rest of Fossil Creek Park is bustling with activity including tennis courts, a roller hockey rink, a skateboarding area, a playground, and softball fields.
Fossil Creek Park’s playground is designed with a prehistoric theme and includes rock climbing walls, swings, slides, and a lifesize mammoth. The playground is an ideal opportunity to let a child run around after sitting in a bicycle seat or trailer.
In sum, Mason Street Trail to Fossil Creek Park is a fun, family bicycle adventure because the ride is short and easy and Fossil Creek Park offers a fun destination that includes restrooms, a scenic reservoir, and a large playground.
Two Knobby Tires 
Where do you access Fossil Creek Trail? Is there a good place to park?
You can park at Fossil Creek Park.