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3. Lory State Park

Colorado Parks and Wildlife

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

Sign Up	Time Machine Tuesdays: A Geology Hike   Tuesday, 01 July 2025 |   05:00 PM | Lory State Park Strap 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
Sign Up	Junior Rangers: Creepy Crawlies   Tuesday, 01 July 2025 |   09:00 AM | Lory State Park Calling all curious, nature-loving kids! Join our Junior Ranger programs! This is a hands-on hour designed to spark a love for the outdoors and build real ranger skills in a fun, interactive way. For ages 7-11. Junior Rangers will carry a natu...  more
Sign Up	Pinecones: Break it Down   Sunday, 06 July 2025 |   09:00 AM | Lory State Park Bring your budding naturalist for a morning of discovery and outdoor fun in our pinecones program designed specifically for children ages 3-7. Through hands-on activities and a short nature walk, kids will engage with the beauty of the natural...  more
Sign Up	Sunrise Yoga   Wednesday, 09 July 2025 |   07:00 AM | Lory State Park Meet us at the Visitor Center for a meditative sunrise yoga session led by an experienced local yoga instructor. Flow through a series of movements aimed to awaken your spirit and connect you to the earth around you. Registration is open to ages 1...  more
Sign Up	Full Moon Guided Hike   Thursday, 10 July 2025 |   08:00 PM | Lory State Park Discover Lory State Park at night under the light of the full moon! The buck 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
Sign Up	Summer Wildflower Hike   Friday, 11 July 2025 |   08:00 AM | Lory State Park Join us for a refreshing outdoor adventure as we explore the beauty of blooming wildflowers on a guided hike though the Well Gulch trail. Led by an expert naturalist, the hike is perfect for ages 10+ who want to learn about local flora and experie...  more
Register	Birding by Ear   Saturday, 12 July 2025 |   08:00 AM | Lory State Park |  Registration Required Each bird species has a unique song or series of vocalizations, which distinguish it from the other 10,000 bird species on earth. While it seems daunting, a tuned ear will detect a higher number of species than eyes alone. Join us for a brief pres...  more
Sign Up	S'mores and Stories: Silly S'mores   Saturday, 12 July 2025 |   06:30 PM | Lory State Park Gather 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. Bring your most outra...  more
Sign Up	Junior Rangers: What are Trees?   Sunday, 13 July 2025 |   09:00 AM | Lory State Park Calling all curious, nature loving kids! Join our Junior Ranger programs! This is a hands-on hour designed to spark a love for the outdoors and build real ranger skills in a fun interactive way. For ages 7-11. Junior Rangers will carry a na...  more
Register	Park Sleepover   Friday, 18 July 2025 |   05:30 PM | Lory State Park |  Registration Required Join us for a sleepover in the park! We will provide dinner and breakfast. There will be many activities such as an animal themed movie, night hike, cornhole, volleyball and more! Once you signed-up you will receive an email with more details ...  more