As youve seenthroughoutthis article, Rocky Mountain National Park is home to a plethora of waterfalls. Route type: Out and back. This hike is ideal because it is short enough for families with young children, and dogs are allowed. When Colorado State University was first founded in 1870, it was originally called Colorado AgriculturalCollege. 11 Best Airbnb Rentals in Fort Collins, Colorado, 11 Best Cabin Rentals Near Denver, Colorado, 10 Best Hikes in Colorado Springs, Colorado, 10 Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Go with the flow: These easily accessible falls at the popular Bear Lake area of Rocky Mountain National Park are the most visited in the park, so time your visit accordingly. The trail is washed out just past the fork to the Calypso Cascades and Ouzel Falls, but the area is passable. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 26 min to complete. Pets are not allowed. Please explore responsibly! Pawnee Buttes Trailhead. Heres a look at the route to Horsetooth Falls. Hiking in the spring and summertime is a rewarding activity when visiting Fort Collins. You can learn more about our editorial policies here. Hiking in the spring and summertime is a rewarding activity when visiting Fort Collins. Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Memorial Day through Labor Day. There are 3 different ponds with multiple trails and a few broad walks over wetland areas. The view from the bridges is stunning, offeringpeeksof the Soldier Canyon Creek and Soldier Canyon. Active Filters . These are some hiking with a large number of reviews near Fort Collins, CO: Rocky Mountain National Park (701 reviews), Brainard Lake Recreation Area (28 reviews). We tried to hiking this trail in July with friends out of town, but it was so busy, long wait for bus shuttles, so we gave up. Its dog friendly if the dogs are on a leash and youve got a good chance at spotting wildlife (we saw multiple deer mid-day). Witness living history and active restoration projects that have helped endangered animal and plant species of the Northern Colorado grasslands landscape. This beautiful trail ispretty difficult, but we promise the view is worth it! The area is just 25 minutes from. Local Tip: Be super careful when walking around at the top of the falls. You can disperse camp along this trail since it is on National Forest land. There was a problem saving your notification. Why you should go: On the outskirts of town, witness abundant wildlife and Colorados unique geology while exploring the Coyote Ridge Open Space. After going through Rifle, turn right on Colorado State Highway 325 and go 9.8 miles to the park entrance. Courtesy of El Pueblo History Museum. The trail is a loop that takes you through freshwater streams, a few stone, and wooden bridges, and provides stunning overlooks of the reservoir and the city of Fort Collins. Upper Maxwell Falls Trailhead. This side is also less steep compared to the shorter, Summit Trail. Mist hovered in the air and we hopped over rocks to stand closer to Cascade Falls, which is the last in a series of seven waterfalls that carry snowmelt off the mountains. If you want to summit one of Colorado's 14ers (the name locals give to the 53 peaks over 14,000 feet high scattered across the state), you can hike the Barr Trail to the top of Pikes Peak.While this mountain just west of Colorado Springs and about 75 miles from Denver is not the easiest 14er to climb it is one of the most . You can find her on Instagram at @aka_dmoney. This trail is one of the most family-friendly hikes you will find in and around Fort Collins. All that May rain has left the vegetation absolutely popping in every shade of green imaginable. Hike right up to the prominent rock formation that gives the lake its name! Black Lake Falls is another spectacular hike in Rocky Mountain National Park! Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. With snowpack so high this season, expect a good flow show this season. Why you should go: A great addition to any summer day; take a quick hike to the Falls where you can adventure around and in the water! The Black Lake Falls arent the most spectacular falls on this list, but surrounding views and the stops on the way make it a must-visit for hiking enthusiasts! Located in the Lory State Park, the trail got its name from Arthur Howard - the former owner of this land. Go with the flow: Just minutes from downtown Steamboat, this is one of Colorado's premier waterfalls with an impressive 280-foot free fall. Where: Ouray. The unique-looking animals tend to hide under rocks, shrubs, or logs or in moist soil. Explore. Along the way, youll pass Alberta Falls, Vale Brook, Glacier Falls, Mills Lake, Jewel Lake, Ribbon Falls, Blue Lake, Green Lake, Frozen Lake and so much more,making it the perfect trail to see almost everything in the national park. Looking Glass Falls is one of the most symmetrical waterfalls in western North Carolina. McCullough Gulch Falls in Breckenridge Clear Creek Falls Bridal Veil Falls in Telluride South Mineral Creek Falls near Durango Due to its perch above the city and reservoir, this hike is an ideal and quick sunrise or sunset hike. Horsetooth Falls is a short, beautiful hike that resides in the stunningHorsetooth Mountain Open Space, just west of Fort Collins, and provides some of the best hiking in Fort Collins. The Horsetooth Falls trail takes hikers to the base of a beautiful free-falling waterfall with the option to adventure upwards to the top of the fall. There are plenty of peaceful rest areas for picnics up here. 11 Colorado Waterfalls Waterfalls are one of the best side effects of a Colorado hike. With aspens quaking, mountainsides bursting with color, and a cool crispness in the air, fall is a beautiful time in the Centennial State. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your Black Lake Falls is another spectacular hike in Rocky Mountain National Park! The falls will be found adjacent to a small U.S. Forest Service campground a little beyond the bridge over Big Piney Creek. Best Hiking Trails With Waterfalls near me in Fort Collins, CO Sort:Recommended Price Online Booking Good for Kids 1. We suggest packing a lunch and having a picnic when you get to the waterfall, and go ahead and dip your feet in the water as well. is nearby,theres no shortage of opportunities to go waterfall hunting in the area! Horsetooth Falls ripped down the rocky chute to the small, chilly pool 25 feet below. The entrance fee to the open space is $9 and can be paid at the machine at the entrance. Best Hikes In Ft. Collins, Colorado Experience all that the outdoors outside of Ft. Collins has to offer. Related Read:9 Estes Park Cabins with Hot Tubs for Soakin in the Mountains. Pioneer Plaza When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Why you should go: Hike deep into Lory State Park and to views over Horsetooth Reservoir, Horsetooth Rock, and the more tucked-away Arthurs Rock. Ideal conditions for this trail are within the months of April-November. Arthurs RockTrail offers some of the most incredible views ofHorsetooth Reservoirand thecity of Fort Collins. Follow him on Twitter @stemeyer or Facebook.com/meyersreports. Horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking, trail jogging, pretty much anything and everything you would want to do outdoors is available here. Watrous Gulch Trail. The State Park has as many as 20 different trails but you must make sure you see the falls if you are spending a day there. Be sure to spend a while exploring the area! When you hit the washed-out bridge, take a left and follow the stream up to the lower viewpoint of Ouzel Falls. Why you should go: Hike up to the Historic A landmark painted above Horsetooth Reservoir by Colorado State University Students in 1870 when their mascot was the Aggies.. Make sure to hike above the falls on the giant granite slabs to picnic and take in the show. Watch. While you can rock climb on Greyrock, you wont need any technical equipment to hike up/down the backside. Thisparticular trailonly allows hiking, though,so you wont have to be on the lookout for bikers or horseback riders during your 2.9-mile hike! Go with the flow: The 1.5-acre turquoise lake that appears to cling to the edge of a mountainside is fed by (another) Bridal Veil Falls. Copyright 20042023 Yelp Inc. Yelp, , and related marks are registered trademarks of Yelp. The falls are roaring from a strong snowpack year, creating a cloud of mist. It is a five minute walk to a 20 plus foot waterfall. Your email address will not be published. All "Hiking Trails With Waterfalls" results in Fort Collins, Colorado, "After dropping my sister off at CSU, I decided to find a hiking trail here to get some exercise in and take in some views. El Pueblo History Museum is a local history museum in Pueblo, Colorado. Since it is so large, you wont immediately be able to recognize it. Hewlett Gulch Trail in Fort Collins Poudre River Canyon is the perfect place for them to do this. The trail network has 5 separate waterfall hike options, up to 5.5 miles total. The outstanding Horsetooth Rock is a familiar local . Located at the base of the foothills, hiking is one of the most popular things to do around Fort Collins. Catamount Falls. Get outdoors with local authors and hiking experts Mindy Sink and Kim Lipker with the full-color edition of 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Denver and Boulder. In his spare time, Spencer loves to hike, rock climb, and trail run. Snoqualmie Falls. Roughly eight-tenths of a mile from the trailhead, hikers will find one of the most popular hiking destinations in the park: Alberta Falls. He's on a mission to summit all 58 of Colorado's fourteeners and has already climbed more than half. While Soapstone Prairie Natural Area is 25 miles north of Fort Collins, this 19,000-acre property was purchased by the city of Fort Collins in 2004 as a restoration and conservation project. These are some highly rated hiking near Fort Collins, CO: Colorado Wilderness Corporate & Teams (5/5). These trails are family-friendly and abundant wildlife makes this a great location for the kiddos to experience. The climb to thesummit ofArthur's Rock in Lory State Park provides relative isolation and solitude just 30 minutes from downtown Fort Collins along with great hiking, trail running, mountain biking, rock climbing,and horseback riding.Arthur's Rock Trail is the most direct route to the summit, and can be reached by entering the park (Lory Park Road off NorthCounty Road 25G)and driving south Why is there an A on the side of the mountain? Signup today for free and be the first to get notified on new updates. 2. 18 Colorado Hot Springs You Need to Visit This Year, 15 Things to Do With the Kids This Summer in Fort Collins, The 10 Best Hiking Trails Near Loveland, Colorado. From there, the trail climbs until a fork is met one path heading to the top of Horsetooth Mountain (a much more strenuous hike) and the other to the falls. Where: Go west on Harmony Road (Larimer County Road 38E) and follow this around Horsetooth Reservoir for 6.5 miles to the Horsetooth Mountain Open Space parking lot on the north side of County Road 38E. Fort Collins, Colorado is a city known for its amazing outdoorsthat people travel to experience from all over the world. The most spectacular is the 130-foot waterfall - Burgess - that plunges into an amazing gorge. Duration: 4-5 hours. To get there, enter through the Wild Basin Entrance on the southeastern side of the park and head to the Wild Basin Trailhead. Go now to see the show. Boulder Falls in Nederland is a very quick hike with a big reward! Seen in: Colorado, Colorado Hiking, Hike, Rockies. Nummer 2 - 2018; Nummer 1 - 2018; 2017. Just2miles from the trailhead, the trail crosses the river (dont forget to stop and admire the river view!) Emerald Lake 5.0 (22 reviews) Hiking There is a parking fee. A detour to Ouzel is posted on the trail. When the water level is low, it's a great place to wade and splash. Coyote Ridge lies on the southwest edge of Fort Collins and connects to the popular Blue Sky, and Devils Backbone trail system. The other two official falls are in Rocky Mountain National Park and the White River National Forest. to make sure the road to the trailhead is open before visiting. Watrous Gulch Trail (#95) Pawnee National Grassland, NE of Greeley. Start off at the Fern Lake Trailhead in Rocky Mountain National Park and follow the relatively flattrail that parallels the Big Thompson River. The trail is lined by several species of pine trees, as well as wildflowers in the summer. 6 reviews of Lory State Park "Lory State Park is a great "quick" getaway from Fort Collins. While fishing is the most popular activity, there are a few different trails, great for hiking, that lead to the reservoir. 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. Heading west on Interstate 70, take the Rifle exit (90) and go north on Colorado Highway 13 for 4 miles. Coyote Ridge Trail The Coyote Ridge Trail is a great introduction to the "hogsback" formations that make up much of the initial front range, and it connects into he extensive trail system that make up the Rimrock Open Space and the Larimar County Parks & Open Spaces. Information: Larimer County Parks, 970 679-4570 or www.co.larimer.co.us/naturalresources/htmp.cfm. Take a look at the water in slow motion. Information: Rocky Mountain National Park, (970) 586-1206 or www.nps.gov/romo. . The best times to visit this trail are March through October. This relatively short hike is the perfect day-hike outing if youre in search of stunning views. Fee: $7 for daily entrance or $70 for annual state parks pass. The Pawnee National Grassland shares diverse plantlife including 150-180 different species of wildflowers of several varieties of evening primrose, nodding onion, prairie violets, as well as prickly pear cactuswhich bloom in June. Get trail map and driving directions. Because this trail has a short summer season and is very popular, we recommend checking the. Surrounded by moss-covered rocks and a meandering trail, the waterfalls cascade quietly off the cliff into the lake, creating a surreal atmosphere. Its no secret that Horsetooth Mountain Open Spacein Fort Collinshas miles and miles of outdoor adventure space, perfect for hiking, biking and horseback riding. A Mystery Trail is an imaginative way to explore towns, cities & villages across Ireland with a self-guided themed walk. Horsetooth Falls a refreshing hike for whole family near Fort Collins, Upper Colorado basin states postpone release of water to Lake Powell, Denver Broncos treat players' families poorly, claims NFLPA report, More snow to hit southwest Colorado, up to 36 inches possible, Polis rolls out 150th anniversary license plates, 360 inches of snow: Map shows breakdown of snowfall around Colorado, Already at seasonal snowfall average, Colorado resort extends season at two properties. Information: Rifle Falls State Park, (970) 625-1607 or http://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/RifleFalls. View Map Distance from campus: 1.5 miles Hike or bike: Flat, paved surface, great for biking, walking, or running Length of trail: Up to 12 miles Ease: Easy Cost: Free CSU Game Day Weekend. I saw ducks, pelicans and a golden eagle. Here are five must-do hiking and running trails just minutes from the City. This is what I made on the most recent hike near F, I've had a lot of extra time at homelike everyo, Looking for a weekend recipe during your extra tim, Take me back to these hot springs Im craving, Spring is finally here! #10 - Fort Collins Poudre River Trail Lee Martinez Park Length: 10.5 mi Est. Deer, several bird species, and several rodent species can also be spotted from the trail. Uncover Colorado | Sitemap | Advertise. Luckily, because. Just north of Denver, Fort Collins is home to Colorado State University, a historic and buzzing downtown, and countless trails between Public Natural Areas, Open Spaces, State Parks, and National Forest Lands. There aren't many better nature experiences than hiking to a mountain waterfall. and Dogs are welcome but must be on a leash. At the finish there is a beautiful natural stairway that leads you to the top of the rock, providing a perfect setting for a picnic if you decide to pack a lunch. 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