Here are 7 state parks that are a 90-minute drive or less from Fort Collins

Ignacio Calderon, Fort Collins Coloradoan
Updated ·2 min read

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

A waterfall at Lory State Park, west of Fort Collins, gushes in May 2023.
A waterfall at Lory State Park, west of Fort Collins, gushes in May 2023.

  • Address: 708 Lodgepole Drive, Bellvue, CO 80512

  • Contact information: 970-493-1623, lory.park@state.co.us

  • 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

A biker rides along the Boyd Lake State Park bike trail in March 2022.
A biker rides along the Boyd Lake State Park bike trail in March 2022.

  • Address: 3720 N. County Road 11-C, Loveland, CO 80538

  • Contact information: 970-669-1739, boyd.lake@state.co.us

  • 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, dnr_jackson.lake@state.co.us

  • 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

A bald eagle perches atop a tree in St. Vrain State Park in 2015.
A bald eagle perches atop a tree in St. Vrain State Park in 2015.

  • Address: 3525 State Highway 119, Firestone, CO 80504

  • Contact information: 303-678-9402, st.vrain.park@state.co.us

  • 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, dnr_barrlake.naturecenter@state.co.us

  • 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, eldorado.park@state.co.us

  • 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, cherry.creek.park@state.co.us

  • 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