Here are 7 state parks that are a 90-minute drive or less from Fort Collins
While Colorado is home to four national parks, the Centennial state also hosts more than 10 times that number in state parks — many of which are within close driving distance to Fort Collins. These offer a variety of activities including climbing, camping, fishing and geocaching.
Take a look at these parks that are less than 90 minutes away for your next weekend trip. Activities are all provided by Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Lory
Address: 708 Lodgepole Drive, Bellvue, CO 80512
Contact information: 970-493-1623, [email protected]
Activities: biking, cross-country skiing/snowshoeing, fishing, geocaching, hiking, horseback trails, hunting, ranger/nature programs, rock climbing, snow tubing, wildlife viewing, winter camping.
Boyd Lake
Address: 3720 N. County Road 11-C, Loveland, CO 80538
Contact information: 970-669-1739, [email protected]
Activities: biking, boating, cross-country skiing/snowshoeing, fishing, geocaching, hiking, hunting, ice fishing, ice skating, jet skiing, ranger/nature programs, sail/paddle sports, swimming, water skiing, wildlife viewing, winter camping.
Jackson Lake
Address: 26363 County Road 3, Orchard, CO 80649
Contact information: 970-645-2551, [email protected]
Activities: biking, boating, fishing, hiking, hunting, ice fishing, ice skating, jet skiing, OHV, ranger/nature programs, sail/paddle sports, swimming, water skiing, wildlife/bird viewing, winter camping, astronomy.
St. Vrain
Address: 3525 State Highway 119, Firestone, CO 80504
Contact information: 303-678-9402, [email protected]
Activities: biking, boating, cross-country skiing/snowshoeing, fishing, hiking, ice fishing, ice skating, ranger/ nature programs, wildlife/bird viewing.
Barr Lake
Address: 13401 Picadilly Road, Brighton, CO 80603
Contact information: 303-659-6005, [email protected]
Activities: biking, cross-country skiing/snowshoeing, boating: motorized and nonmotorized, fishing, geocaching, hiking, horseback trails, hunting, ice fishing, ranger/nature programs, sail/paddle sports, wildlife/bird viewing.
Eldorado Canyon
Address: 9 Kneale Road, P.O. Box B, Eldorado Springs, CO 80025
Contact information: 303-494-3943, [email protected]
Activities: hiking, ranger/nature programs, rock climbing, wildlife/bird viewing, biking, cross-country skiing/ snowshoeing, fishing, geocaching, horseback trails, hunting (primitive weapons only at the Crescent Meadows property).
Cherry Creek
Address: 4201 S. Parker Road, Aurora, CO 80014
Contact information: 303-690-1166, [email protected]
Activities: biking, boating, cross-country skiing/snowshoeing, fishing, hiking, ice fishing, ice skating, jet skiing, horseback trails, ranger/nature programs, sail/paddle sports, swimming, water skiing, wildlife/bird viewing, winter camping.
If you are looking for the best places to see the stars this summer, check out our other guide for dark sky parks here.
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: 7 state parks that are 90-minute drive or less from Fort Collins