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.
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Poetry in Nature
Thursday, 02 May 2024 | 10:00 AM | Lory State Park | Registration RequiredLearn about the history of poetry and different kinds of poetry styles that invokes imaginative awareness, connection to nature, and specific emotional responses through carefully chosen language that is arranged for it's meaning, sound, and rhyth... more |
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Pinecones Program
Saturday, 04 May 2024 | 09:30 AM | Lory State Park | Registration RequiredBring your child to Lory State Park for a morning program to learn about trees and why they are important! A short hike to learn about different kinds of trees will follow the program. After the hike, your child can create their own tree with colo... more |
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Geology Hike on Shoreline Trail
Sunday, 12 May 2024 | 10:00 AM | Lory State Park | Registration RequiredJoin a naturalist on a 1 mile guided hike on Lory State Park's shoreline trail. Learn about the different landforms, geology, and natural events that formed Lory State Park into what it is today. The program will begin at Arthur's Rock parking lot... more |
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Birding 101
Saturday, 25 May 2024 | 08:00 AM | Lory State Park | Registration RequiredAlways wanted to explore the incredible world of birds but not sure how to start? Or, do you have a child fascinated by birds and wants to learn more? Join us for a talk about birding gear, guides, visual and auditory identification tips, and onli... more |
Accepting Applications for the following Volunteer Types:
You can make a difference by becoming a Colorado Parks and Wildlife volunteer. By becoming a volunteer you can learn new skills, meet new people, and visit new landscapes. Outdoor stewardship will become a new and rewarding aspect of your life. Have fun and give something back at the same time!
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