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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, 06 May 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	Mother's Day Hike   Sunday, 11 May 2025 |   09:30 AM | Lory State Park Celebrate Mother’s Day in nature with a guided hike that highlights the wonders of wildlife families! Join us for a gentle, family-friendly walk through the trails as we explore the different types of animal family groups — from devoted bird pairs...  more
Sign Up	Full Moon Guided Hike   Monday, 12 May 2025 |   07:30 PM | Lory State Park Discover Lory State Park at night under the light of the full moon! The flower 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 da...  more
Sign Up	Spring Wildflower Hike   Saturday, 24 May 2025 |   09:30 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
Sign Up	Birding 101   Saturday, 31 May 2025 |   08:00 AM | Lory State Park Always wanted to explore the incredible world of birds but not sure how to start? Or, do you have a child fascinated by birds who wants to learn more? Join Northern Colorado Bird Alliance for a talk about birding gear, guides, identification tips ...  more
Sign Up	Pinecones: Teddy Bear Picnic   Sunday, 01 June 2025 |   09:00 AM | Lory State Park Bring your budding naturalist AND THEIR FAVORITE STUFFED ANIMAL for a morning of discovery and outdoor fun in our pinecones program designed specifically for children ages 3-7. We will learn about what wildlife eat in the park through a hands-on a...  more
Sign Up	Time Machine Tuesdays: A Geology Hike   Tuesday, 03 June 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	S'mores and Stories: Nocturnal Animals   Saturday, 07 June 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. We will share fun tal...  more
Sign Up	Junior Rangers: Migration Mayhem   Sunday, 08 June 2025 |   09:00 AM | Lory State Park Calling all curious, nature-loving kids! Join our Junior Ranger programs! This week we will take to the skies with a fun game to learn how birds make the long trek from their winter to summer ground. This is a hands-on hour designed to spark a l...  more
Sign Up	Full Moon Guided Hike   Tuesday, 10 June 2025 |   08:00 PM | Lory State Park Discover Lory State Park at night under the light of the full moon! The strawberry 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 th...  more