(This story was updated July 1 to eliminate a reference to Nederland, which is not having a fireworks display.)

Related • Other things to do over the July Fourth weekend. • Colorado residents should play it safe and not set off own fireworks. Northern Colorado fireworks Boulder: Ralphie’s Independence Day Blast, enter at 8 p.m. July 4, fireworks about 9:40 p.m., Folsom Field, University of Colorado campus. Broomfield: 9:30 p.m. July 4, Broomfield County Commons Park, 13200 Sheridan Blvd. Erie: 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Colorado National Golf Club, 2700 Vista Parkway. Firestone: 9:30 p.m. July 4, Saddleback Golf Club, 8631 Frontier St. Fort Collins: 9:35 p.m. July 4, City Park, 1599 City Park Drive. Lafayette: 9:30 p.m., Waneka Lake Park, 1600 Caria Drive. Longmont: 9:30 p.m. July 4, Boulder County Fairgrounds, 9595 Nelson Road Loveland: 9:17 p.m. July 4 over Lake Loveland near North Lake Park, 2626 North Taft Ave. Windsor: 9:30 p.m. July 4, Boardwalk Community Park, 100 N. 5th St. 11 viewing spots Boulder: Hike the Mount Sanitas trail in Boulder, just off Mapleton Avenue in downtown, to the summit for a stunning view of the city as well as fireworks. The loop itself is a little more than 3 miles round trip. It’s not a flat or easy hike, so wear sturdy shoes. Cross the bridge, turn left twice, head up and up. Space is limited up here, so come early. The views are worth it. Boulder: Chautauqua Park is a popular secondary location to Folsom Field. This park, off west Baseline, isn’t exactly crowd-free, and parking will be tricky if you don’t arrive early, but you can find your own little nook by venturing into the nearby open space or up the trail. Boulder: Scott Carpenter Park, at 30th and Arapahoe, is one of Boulder’s favorite parks with a good view of the fireworks. With a playground, pavilions and benches, this park is centrally located, family-friendly and, although parking is limited, the traffic might not be as bad as Folsom. Boulder: Looking for a hidden gem? Beach Park, 1280 Euclid Ave., is not far from Folsom, but it’s a lesser-known hangout. Here, you’ll find open turf for your picnic blanket (arrive early and look for a spot on the hill), a playground, tables and benches. Frederick: Take a stroll around Milavec Reservoir after dark for a view of Firestone’s fireworks display from above and below. Look to the sky for an unobstructed view of the nearby show or find a unique perspective on the traditional show by watching the color of the fireworks reflect off the water below. Longmont: Park it in the Vance Brand Airport parking lot on the south side of St. Vrain Road near the intersection of Airport Road for a comfy view of Longmont’s display. You won’t be alone in the large lot that’s become a popular spot for watching the show, but a new feature will make this year’s display feel like a drive-in. Sprawl out on the hood of your car, roll down the windows and tune your radio to KRCN-AM (1060) for patriotic music that’s synchronized with the show above. Loveland: View the fireworks from Dwayne Webster Veterans Park or the South Shore Scenic Park across the street along the lake. Great view of the fireworks and less traffic than the north side of the lake. Loveland: Cattail Creek Golf Course, 2116 W. 29th St., will be available for gathering to view fireworks. The beginner golf course will be open until the fireworks begin. Loveland: Horsetooth Mountain Open Space is the one open space in Larimer County open after dark. Park in the main Horsetooth Mountain Trailhead parking lot — the upper lot — and hike in via the South Ridge Trail Niwot: Take a quick trip on The Diagonal from Boulder or Longmont to perch on a hill in Niwot for a view of fireworks displays across Boulder County. Take Highway 52 south and turn on to 79th Street, where you’ll be lifted above the city for an all-encompassing view of surrounding shows. Find a spot on the shoulder between houses to kick back or head to one of the parking lots at Vinelife Church near 79th Street and Lookout Road with some lawn chairs and a pair of binoculars. Geocache treasure hunt The Friday Magazine staff has hidden a box of little treasures at one location in Frederick and one in Loveland. Each box has a log book and several other festive trinkets. Members of the community can find the geocache boxes by following these coordinates: 40*24’25” N 105*4’46” W (Loveland) and 40*7’21” N 104*56’37” W (Frederick). Use a GPS device to find these coordinates, such as the compass application on the iPhone. Learn more about geocaching at geocaching.org. Rules: • Tweet a photo of you and something in the box (the flag in the case of the Loveland Reporter-Herald readers) with the hashtag #NoCoJuly4 or email the photos to heckela@dailycamera.com, jbenes@reporter-herald.com or wbryen@times-call.com. The photos will appear in an online slideshow at timescall.com, reporterherald.com or dailycamera.com. • Take something from the box and leave something else (anything but a flag). • Sign the log with your name, date and what you left. • Coordinates are: 40*24’25” N 105*4’46” W (Loveland) and 40*7’21” N 104*56’37” W (Frederick).

No offense, Ralphie, but sometimes it’s nice to get away from you on the Fourth of July.

Ralphie the buffalo is set to make his annual patriotic appearance, kicking off fireworks at Boulder’s Ralphie’s Independence Day Blast on Independence Day this year. And while it seems as if all of Boulder (and then some) is crammed into Folsom Field to glimpse the show, Longmont residents flock to the Boulder County Fairgrounds and all of Loveland surges to North Lake Park in Loveland, you can still see the sky-high action and avoid the crowds — or at least minimize them.

With more than 60 parks across the city of Boulder, more than 40 in Longmont city limits and more than 30 in Loveland, not to mention countless trails, summits, lookouts and stretches of open space in Northern Colorado, many people head away from the crowds to watch the fireworks with Mother Nature.

But there are some rules to remember if you’re headed to the hills for the celebration, officials say.

Boulder

Chautauqua Park is one of the most popular alternative places to view fireworks within Boulder, says Dave Kuntz, the division manager for the city’s Resource Systems Division.

That means parking will be limited, he says. In fact, trailhead parking at Chautauqua closes at 3 p.m. on the Fourth, and the road up Flagstaff will close, too. In other words, prepare to walk.

All Boulder parks, open spaces and trails close at 11 p.m., too, so no lingering after the show. If you want to bring dogs, keep them on leash.

In addition, Kuntz urges spectators to leave glass containers and personal fireworks at home, and keep your ears open for police recommendations about lighting other kinds of fires.

“If a fire should start on open space for whatever reason, that could be a big problem with that number of people and only one way out,” he says. “We want to be real cautious. Have fun, but be careful.”

Although some Boulder residents say they enjoy a small climb up Mount Sanitas or Settlers Park Trail to score a more isolated view of the skyline, Kuntz says space and visibility can be limited. The city does permit hiking after dark but Kuntz says he doesn’t necessarily recommend it.

“If there’s any problem, it makes the rescue that much more difficult,” he says. “And a lot of wildlife is nocturnal. They get to have their time, and we get to have our time. A lot of people out there can be disruptive to the wildlife.”

On flatter ground, the Scott Carpenter Park off 30th and Arapahoe, is another hot spot, city officials say. A hidden gem: Beach Park, not far from Folsom Field.

The trick is finding a park close enough without heavy tree cover, Kuntz says.

Although Boulder Reservoir is the home to a large celebration during the day — spanning a beer garden, music, sports and more — come 6 p.m. the event is over and the reservoir closes.

Want to see a map of Boulder’s parks to scout out a location? Visit bouldercolorado.gov/parks-rec for the full list.

Longmont/Carbon Valley

Roger’s Grove is a popular spot for Longmont residents to view fireworks that are shot off at the nearby Boulder County Fairgrounds.

The 14-acre park, which has easy access to the St. Vrain Greenway, has great views if you don’t mind the crowds. But if it’s a quieter spot you’re seeking for fireworks this year, Longmont’s 25 neighborhood parks might be an better option.

These close-to-home public spaces offer varying amenities and views of the show in the sky. Often buried in neighborhoods and nooks located off Longmont’s main streets, these quaint spaces will have fewer folks and more space to spread out on a blanket.

Large parking lots along Hover Street near Nelson Road provide plenty of space for residents to spread out for the show. Target, Home Depot and the Twin Peaks Mall lots line the streets near the fairgrounds for a close view, but lights from surrounding buisnesses may dull the display so pick your spot carefully.

For information about Longmont’s parks visit ci.longmont.co.us/PARKS/park_list.

Firestone hosts a display that can be seen across most of the 45-mile recreation district that includes Frederick, Firestone and Dacono, but most residents gather at Saddle Back Golf Course for the show.

Frederick’s Milavec Reservoir offers a unique perspective on Firestone’s display, said Brooke Cunningham, events coordinator for the town of Frederick.

“On the walking path around Milavek, you can see the fireworks reflect off the water,” Cunningham said.

The water is perched above the town, giving residents an unobstructed view of the show from the benches or the path surrounding the reservoir.

Loveland/Fort Collins

Those families who want to get out of the bustle of North Lake Park and view fireworks around the area tend to head to Horsetooth Mountain Open Space, according to Rob Novak, community relations specialist for Larimer County Natural Resources.

“At Horsetooth Rock, you can see the entire county to the east,” he said.

Every other open space in Larimer County apart from Horsetooth closes at dusk, which allows wildlife the run of the area at night.

As Horsetooth Mountain allows backcountry camping, the site is accessible throughout the night and a popular spot for moonlit hikes, Novak said.

He said one of the easiest ways to get up to Horsetooth Rock is on the south ridge trail, which used to be a service road. Visitors can park in the main Horsetooth Mountain trail parking lot, the upper lot.

Just don’t bring fireworks. They are not allowed in the open spaces. Visitors should use many of the same precautions as any typical day hike; be aware of the area around you, take your time and step carefully, especially at night; wear headlamps or bring flashlights; wear close-toed shoes and be prepared for any type of weather; and bring water but no alcoholic beverages.

Fireworks viewers who want to stay out of the hundreds of visitors that flock to North Lake Park have a few other options in Loveland, as well.

Jeanne Boswell, scheduling and special events coordinator with the city of Loveland, suggests that people visit Cattail Creek Golf Course, Dwayne Webster Veterans Park or Estrella Park.

“We would like people to leave all pets at home; fireworks and pets don’t always get along,” Boswell said.

Check each park’s individual page for its specific rules, but in general, leave your glass containers, alcohol and private grills at home.