Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Lory State Park
Welcome to the Lory State Park Department!
Hidden in the foothills twenty minutes west of Fort Collins, Lory State Park is an outdoor recreation enthusiast’s dream. Its 2,591 acres with a varied landscape that includes unique rock outcroppings, sandstone hogbacks, grassy open meadows, shrubby hillsides and ponderosa pine forests. Overlooking the Fort Collins area from a breathtaking elevation of 6,780 feet is Arthur’s Rock, a jutting granite formation named for an early local settler. Formerly ranchland, Lory State Park was purchased from the original owners in 1967. It was named and dedicated in honor of Dr. Charles A. Lory (1872-1969), president of Colorado State University from 1909 until 1940.
Hit the trail at Lory State Park and enjoy mountain biking, hiking, picnicking and horseback riding amid some fabulous foothills scenery just minutes from Fort Collins and adjacent to Horsetooth Reservoir.
From rolling valleys to mountainous hillsides, Lory State Park's 26 miles of trails rarely exceed a 12 percent grade. The variety of trails is great for short or long hikes, mountain bike rides, horseback rides and trail runs. Backcountry camping is also available for visitors looking for a quiet getaway close to suburban Fort Collins.
The trails on the east side of Lory provide access to some of Horsetooth Reservoir's bays and coves. Canoeists, kayakers, and rafters can hand-launch their crafts within a short walk from the North Eltuck Bay parking lot. Power boaters can launch their boats at the Horsetooth Dam boat ramp 2 miles away in Horsetooth Reservoir. Power boating is also available at the nearby Boyd Lake State Park. Boaters and off-highway vehicle users can now register boats, OHVs and snowmobiles at Lory State Park during visitor center business hours.
Upcoming Activities Calendar
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S'mores and Stories: The Mountain Man
Saturday, 30 August 2025 | 06:30 PM | Lory State ParkGather around the glow of the campfire for a magical evening of stories and s'mores in the park. This family-friendly event is the perfect way to spend an evening connecting with nature and enjoying quality time together. We will share fun tal... more |
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Time Machine Tuesdays: A Geology Hike
Tuesday, 02 September 2025 | 05:00 PM | Lory State ParkStrap on your (imaginary) seatbelt and step into our Time Machine Tuesdays series—where we hike through the landscape and back through millions of years of geological history! Join an expert naturalist on this trek as we uncover the ancient sto... more |
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Herptile Survey with RACR
Sunday, 07 September 2025 | 08:00 AM | Lory State Park | Registration RequiredBecome a community scientist for a day! Join us for a hands-on herptile (reptile and amphibian) survey where you will work alongside experts from the Reptile and Amphibian Center of the Rockies to help document and monitor local reptile and amphib... more |
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Full Moon Guided Hike
Sunday, 07 September 2025 | 07:00 PM | Lory State ParkDiscover Lory State Park at night under the light of the full moon! The pink moon will illuminate the secrets of the park after dark. Learn about the wildlife that come awake during the night and the adaptations that allow them to survive the dark... more |
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Introduction To Nature Journaling
Sunday, 14 September 2025 | 01:00 PM | Lory State ParkThis class will be held at the Lory State Park Visitor Center, and then we will venture out into the park for a short nature journaling experience. Come all who are interested in exploring the natural world through the art of journaling. more |
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S'mores and Stories: Star Stories
Saturday, 20 September 2025 | 06:30 PM | Lory State ParkGather around the glow of the campfire for a magical evening of stories and s'mores in the park. This family-friendly event is the perfect way to spend an evening connecting with nature and enjoying quality time together. We will share fun tal... more |
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Lory State Park Trunk or Treat
Saturday, 25 October 2025 | 04:00 PM | Lory State Park | Registration Requiredmore |
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