7 minute read
Feel at Home in Fort Collins
HIKING AND BIKING
Local Trails
Colorado State University and the City of Fort Collins are a Platinum-level Bicycle Friendly Community. The campus has more than 18,000 bicycle parking spaces, separated bicycle trails, three underpasses onto campus, and great wayfinding to help visitors navigate our campus. Off campus there are miles of trails to explore the city and enjoy the outdoors. Visitors to our community are encouraged to explore on a Spin bike-share bicycle which can be found using the Spin app.
Did You Know?
Fort Collins has over 285 miles of biking trails and a variety of self-guided tours such as the “Bike the Sites” collection, which includes the Brewery Tour, Environmental Learning Tour, and the Historic Homes Tour. Fort Collins also has five Bikeway Bingo Challenges. When completed, you’ll be able to expertly navigate Fort Collins’ extensive bikeway network!
BIKEFORTCOLLINS.ORG
DIDN’T BRING A BIKE?
No bike, no problem. Residents, students and visitors can borrow a bike from the Fort Collins Bike Share program. Experience Fort Collins and the trails on one of the shared e-bike and e-scooter stations around town. To reserve and start using bike share download the Spin app. For more information on Bike Share: fcgov.com/fcmoves/bikeshare
IN-TOWN BIKE TRAILS
If you want to see more of the city via bicycle or are new to biking, Fort Collins has some amazing trails that are easy to ride with beautiful views along the way.
POWER TRAIL
3.9 miles The Power Trail begins at Edora Park in east Fort Collins and continues south to Golden Meadows Park, north of Harmony Road for more than three miles. This scenic trail runs along the historic Union Pacific Railroad.
POUDRE TRAIL
12.3 miles This scenic trail stretches from Overland Trail at Lyons Park to East Drake Road at the Environmental Learning Center along the Cache la Poudre River. This trail is expected to expand toward I-25 over the next several years. poudretrail.org
MASON TRAIL
4.5 miles This trail is best if you are looking for a safe way to navigate Fort Collins on your bike without encountering motorists. Running through the CSU campus and almost four miles from Prospect Road to south of Harmony Road, this is a great option for those who prefer to bike instead of drive.
FOSSIL CREEK TRAIL
8.7 miles The paved Fossil Creek Trails take riders on a scenic route on the south side of Fort Collins, passing by the Cathy Fromme Prairie Natural Area where you can see many different types of birds and other wildlife. Along the way riders will be able to access picnic areas, play areas, and other recreational amenities.
SPRING CREEK TRAIL
7.8 miles This trail stretches from West Drake Road and meanders along the edge of Spring Creek for more than six miles until its confluence with Cache la Poudre River, at which point the Spring Creek Trail connects with the Poudre Trail.
For more information on bike trails: fcgov.com/parks/trails or CORTEX: trails.colorado.gov Fort Collins has a lot to offer, one of which is getting outside and back into nature. With hundreds of miles of trails it’s easy to find a hike for both novice and experienced hikers. With Lory State Park and Horsetooth Reservoir just a short drive from town there are plenty of opportunities. For hiking trails in the park, visitors will need to purchase a day pass upon arrival to the trailheads. For hikes near the reservoir, look for pay-to-park kiosks in the lots with some free lots along the way.
Hiking trails
HORSETOOTH FALLS
Distance: 2.2 miles Difficulty: Easy
COYOTE RIDGE TRAIL
Distance: 4.1 miles Difficulty: Easy
WILCOX TRAIL
Distance: 1.4 miles Difficulty: Easy
POUDRE RIVER TRAIL
Distance: 9.4 miles Difficulty: Easy
HOWARD TRAIL:
Distance: 5.3 miles Difficulty: Moderate
RESERVOIR RIDGE TRAIL
Distance: 4.8 Difficulty: Moderate
HORSETOOTH ROCK
Distance: 6.4 miles Difficulty: Moderate
KELLY FLATS ROAD
Distance: 10.2 miles Difficulty: Hard
HORSETOOTH OUTER LOOP
Distance: 13.5 miles Difficulty: Hard
ARTHUR'S ROCK TRAIL
Distance: 3.4 miles Difficulty: Hard
Buy Now $30 Storage Bicycles affordable
South Store 4031 South Mason
(Just West of Barnes & Nobles) 970-223-1969
100201 25$ off
Any Bike $200 or More
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Expires 12/31/22
hundreds to choose!
CSU Store Lory Student Center
(Closed for Rennovation) 970-491-9555
Scenic Getaways
High AltitudeBe Aware
Fort Collins sits approximately 5,000 feet above sea level, so visitors should take some precautions. There’s less oxygen at high altitude, so take it easy and remember to drink plenty of water. If you’re going to be outdoors, remember to apply sunscreen. Skin burns easily in the thin air.
People here like to explore and play outdoors. It's our lifestyle. Any time of year is a good time for an outing to one of these great destinations near Fort Collins.
GATEWAY NATURAL AREA
5216 Poudre Canyon Highway | (970) 407-1106 fcgov.com/naturalareas/finder/gateway The kind of place you will want to bring your family for a day in the mountains. Gateway Natural Area is where the North Fork of the Poudre River joins the main Poudre River and features hiking trails, a designated launch area for kayaks and canoes, fishing, picnic tables with grills, informational kiosks and a natural playground.
HORSETOOTH RESERVOIR AND MOUNTAIN PARK
(970) 679-4554 horsetoothreservoir.com A 6.5-mile-long reservoir, surrounded by over 2,000 acres of public land and more than 25 miles of non-motorized recreational trails. Lakeside camping at the South Bay Campground, boating, wake boarding/water skiing, fishing, swimming, hiking, and bicycling.
LORY STATE PARK
(970) 493-1623 parks.state.co.us/parks/lory Eleven miles from Fort Collins, you can explore wide open scenic terrain in an adventurous landscape with 26 miles of scenic trails for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding. Rock climbing and bouldering routes, back country camping, and picnicing.
CACHE LA POUDRE
The Cache La Poudre-North Park Scenic Byway is recognized as one of Colorado’s premier scenic highways. To get there take U.S. Highway 287 north to Colorado Highway 14. The Cache La Poudre is Colorado’s only designated “Wild and Scenic” river. See page 46 for more on this popular outdoor recreation destination.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK
(970) 586-1206 nps.gov/romo Just 35 miles southwest of Fort Collins, Rocky Mountain National Park’s 415 square miles encompass majestic mountains, tundra wildflowers, abundant wildlife, and over 300 miles of hiking trails. Enjoy Trail Ridge Road (the highest paved road in the US), which crests over 12,000 feet, including many overlooks to experience the subalpine and alpine worlds.
Wild and scenic
While enjoying the natural beauty of northern Colorado’s foothills and scenic Rocky Mountain National Park, keep an eye out for winged and four-legged creatures native to our area. More than 350 species of birds can be seen including: Bald Eagles, Ferruginous Hawks, Great Blue Herons, Belted Kingfishers and Mountain Bluebirds. While driving through the Cache la Poudre Canyon or in route to Rocky Mountain National Park keep an eye out for moose and big horn sheep. Elk and deer are often spotted in town and abundant in open areas and natural areas in and around the city. Don’t forget, these are wild animals and while you may be tempted, do not approach or feed them.
THE PERFECT GIFT CARD
Experience Colorado
Over 6,000 miles of streams 44 State Parks 2,000 lakes & reservoirs 54 fourteeners 13 National Parks 11 National Forests Thousands of camp sites Endless trails
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