Editorial update, September 7, 2026: the facts in this guide have been rechecked and brought current.
The photographs date to the original 2013 article.
Dakota Ridge is a residential part of northwestern Boulder, built out to the edge of the foothills. Wonderland Hills lies immediately to the south.
Boundaries
Broadway forms the eastern edge of Dakota Ridge, the foothills the western one, and Lee Hill Road runs along the southern side.
History
The Olde Stage fire started November 24, 1990. Boulder County's record for it puts the burn at about 3,000 acres. The Olde Stage and Neva fires came next, on January 7, 2009. The county reports that the 2009 fire burned toward Dakota Ridge. Homeowners can find wildfire mitigation information published by Boulder County.
Housing
Dakota Ridge is made up of single family homes, townhomes and apartment units.
Restaurants and shopping
East of the neighborhood, North Broadway mixes shops and restaurants. One of them is Amante Uptown, a coffee shop at 4580 Broadway, easy to stop at heading south into town or coming back up.
Dakota Ridge Park
Dakota Ridge Park, at 501 Dakota Boulevard, has a playground and open grass. The playground is built around a prehistoric theme, with dinosaur footprints, fossils, and climbing structures. There's a shelter for shade and a multiuse path running through.
Trails
The Four Mile Creek Trailhead is at 420 Lee Hill Road, about 0.3 mile west of Broadway. From there the Foothills Trail runs north to meet the Hogback Ridge Trail and south toward the Wonderland Lake area. Bikes are permitted on the Foothills Trail. Rules vary by trail, so check the signs at the trailhead and at junctions. The Hogback Ridge Trail bars dogs outright, so pick your route before you go if you're bringing one.
Schools
School assignment in BVSD depends on your residential address rather than the neighborhood name. The district's K-12 School Finder has the attendance maps and will tell you which schools go with a given address.
Neighborhood association
Dakota Ridge North has a homeowners association covering part of the neighborhood. The management company posts association documents online, along with EcoPass information for residents.
