Tour Northern Colorado this Summer

4
 days
Share:

Enjoy a four-day trek highlighting NoCo's remote beauty with a focus on things to do and see with lots of outdoors time. Bonus: Few reservations are needed.

Sustainability Activity
Yampa Valley Community Foundation’s Trail Maintenance Endowment Fund

This permanent funding source supports specific non-motorized trail and trailhead maintenance projects on public lands within Routt and Moffat counties. Look for “donation stations” — refurbished parking meters with credit card readers — at 11 popular local trailheads, including Spring Creek, NPR and Wild Rose. Or donate online at yvcf.org/trails.

Day
1
Activity
Soapstone Prairie Natural Area

For a true Western experience, hike Soapstone Prairie Natural Area for its wide-open vistas and nearly pristine grasslands. Hint: keep an eye out for the local bison. This year marks the five-year anniversary of the herd's reintroduction to Soapstone Prairie Natural Area and Red Mountain Open Space. Visitors may see them from the road in their fenced pasture through November.

choice city butcher & deli photo
Lunch
Choice City Butcher & Deli
Choice City Butcher & Deli in Fort Collins is a full-service butcher shop and deli that also offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. With 37 craft beers…
Activity
Poudre River Whitewater Park

If you'd like to try one of the two wave features yourself, you can rent equipment (SUP, tubes, kayaks and gear) from a number of local outfitters.

Dinner
The Regional
Head to The Regional for home-style American food — "from the farm, from the ranch, and from the docks." Ingredients are sourced from Colorado farms…
Activity
Holiday Twin Drive-In Theatre
Watch a movie under the Colorado night sky at one of the states last Drive-In Theaters. The Holiday Twin Drive-In is the only Drive-In Theater in…
Lodging
The Elizabeth Hotel
The Elizabeth Hotel is where Fort Collins comes together. Situated in the center of Old Town, the cornerstone of Firehouse Alley, our Fort Collins…
Day
2
Breakfast
Lucile's Creole Cafe- Fort Collins
As a family establishment Lucile's has always strived to provide a comfortable and unique atmosphere as well as excellent food.
Activity
Travel the Scenic Byway

From Fort Collins follow Hwy. 14 and the Cache la Poudre River, the state’s only designated Wild and Scenic River, toward the spectacular Poudre Canyon (also part of the Cache la Poudre-North Park Scenic Byway). Keep a lookout for fly-fishers, rafters, kayakers and stand-up paddleboarders as you ascend. There are pullouts along the route so take your time and enjoy the journey. Pro tip: Don't miss the Poudre Falls.

Activity
State Forest State Park
The ultimate in rugged Colorado wilderness, 71,000 acres of forest, jagged peaks and alpine lakes. Features 158 campsites and 15 cabins and yurts…
Insider's Tip
Hike the North Loop

The State Forest State Park North Loop "touches on a little bit of everything that makes State Forest State Park special." That includes great views of the Medicine Bow Mountains, three pretty alpine lakes (Jewel Lake, Kelly Lake and Clear Lake), a bit of singletrack and forest road, plus towering aspen trees. 

Lodging
Antlers Inn
Located in the heart of Walden, Antlers Inn offers rustic elegance just 2.5 miles from Walden Reservoir. It has an on-site restaurant — River Rock…
Day
3
Insider's Tip
Fuel Up Your Morning

Take your time — and eat some breakfast at your hotel before heading out.

Activity
Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge
One of over 560 refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System - a network of lands set aside and managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service…
Activity
On the Road Again

From Walden, continue west on Hwy. 14 and enjoy wide-open vistas, fields of sage and prairie grass, the occasional cattle ranch, abandoned cabins and peaceful miles until you reach the base of Rabbit Ears Pass. Turn west (right) onto Hwy. 40 and immediately start the climb over Rabbit Ears Pass (summit 9,246 feet). The pass is known for its false summit, a crossing of the Continental Divide and the distinctive “rabbit ears” rock formation that creates one of the nearby peaks. Before descending into Steamboat Springs, hike the Rabbit Ears Peak Trail, located in the Mount Zirkel Wilderness.

Activity
Wild West Balloon Adventures
A ride in the beautiful Wild West Hot Air Balloon is the experience of a lifetime, offering stunning views of the Steamboat Springs area, the Flat…
Lodging
The Nordic Lodge
The Nordic Lodge offers a central location with remodeled rooms. Enjoy access to a free shuttle traveling regularly to Steamboat Ski Resort.
Day
4
Breakfast
Freshies
Freshies has been serving fresh and entirely hand-prepared breakfast and lunch for 10 years in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
Activity
Tour Steamboat's Local Trails

Enjoy miles of seamlessly connected multi-use trails in five main network “pockets” in and around town; all are accessible from town by foot, bike or vehicle in 30 minutes or less. Tip: Ride a new trail or two in the Buffalo Pass or Emerald Mountain Trail System. Steamboat is also home to 600 miles of dirt and hard-packed gravel roads making it a nirvana for world-class gravel riding. Emerald Circuit is a favorite intermediate ride. Rent a bike and give it a go.

Lunch
Yampa Sandwich Co.
Yampa Sandwich Company serves crave-able, good-for-you breakfast and lunch sandwiches and salads. The menu offers more than 20 sandwiches, a…
Activity
Yampa River Core Trail

This 7.5-mile paved multi-use recreation path runs through the heart of Steamboat Springs along the Yampa River. Don’t miss these great stops (that allow for social distancing) along the route: Yampa River Botanic Park, a 6-acre sanctuary of 40 gardens, ponds and sculptures; fishing access; Howelsen Ski Area, with volleyball, tennis and basketball courts plus a skate park; tubing the Yampa, and more.

Dinner
Salt and Lime
Salt and Lime in Downtown Steamboat Springs is a new twist on Mexican food
Activity
F.M. Light and Sons
Outfittin' the West for 113 years and five generations! We are a historic western store in downtown Steamboat Springs. We were founded in 1905,…
Lodging
Rabbit Ears Motel
The Rabbit Ears Motel, located in beautiful Steamboat Springs, is your choice for comfortable, affordable lodging right in the center of downtown…