Northern Colorado
The wind whips wild and free through the northern reaches of Colorado. In the east you will find vast stretches of grasslands, and playful nights and more brewpubs than people in the foothills college town of Fort Collins. Continue west through vertiginous canyons to the snowcapped peaks, wildflower-choked meadows and towering mountains of Rocky Mountain National Park. Further toward the Western Slope you will also find world-class skiing and gorgeous hot springs in Steamboat. While in the places in between you will find laid-back adventures by horse, by foot, by mountain bike and by boat.
After you pass the Continental Divide and head toward the western edge of the state, the landscape turns from green to red. This desolate landscape offers up amazing slickrock biking excursions, river trips and the chance to connect with the past at Dinosaur National Monument.
Latest Stories from Northern Colorado
Top attractions
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Northern Colorado.
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Mount Zirkel Wilderness
One of the five original wilderness areas in Colorado, Mount Zirkel Wilderness is an untamed, roadless expanse dotted with icy glacial lakes and granite faces, and is rife with opportunities for isolated backcountry hiking and camping. It’s intersected by the Continental Divide and two major rivers, the Elk and the Encampment. Locals swear by the Zircle Circle hike, which connects Gilpin and Gold Creek Lakes in a glorious alpine trek over roughly 10 miles. Top hikes accessed easily from Steamboat include the Mad Creek and Red Dirt Trails, both easily accessed by following Elk River Rd north from Steamboat. Boldly rising from the center of the area is the 12,180ft Mount Zirkel, named by famed mountaineer Clarence King to honor the German petrologist with whom he reconnoitered the country in 1874. The area is huge and can provide a place to get off the grid, even during Colorado’s busiest seasons. The most popular entry points are in the vicinity of Steamboat Springs, though it’s also approachable from Walden or Clark. Detailed maps and information on hiking, mountain biking, fishing and other activities in this beautiful area are available at the USFS Hahns Peak Ranger Office. Trails Illustrated publishes Hahns Peak/Steamboat Lake and Clark/Buffalo Pass maps, while Jay and Therese Thompson describe the walks in The Hiker’s Guide to the Mount Zirkel Wilderness.
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Fish Creek Falls
Just 5 miles out of town, Fish Creek Falls is a wonderful hike for families. The 0.8-mile loop takes you to a scenic overlook with views across to the 283ft waterfall. From there, you can cut down past picnic areas, and hook up to a bridge that sits below the falls. The overlook section is wheelchair accessible. To get here from Hwy 40, go north on 3rd St then take a right on Fish Creek Falls Rd. It's 4 miles to the parking lot and trailhead.
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Pearl Lake State Park
A glorious spot for camping and canoeing, this small alpine lake backs up to aspen and evergreen forests, and has some excellent lake-front campsites ($20) . Try to get a lower campsite bordering the lake; numbers 24 to 32 are best. They have two yurts ($80) here too, plus a short trail to Coulton Creek.
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Hahns Peak
On the windswept plain at the base of a picturesque peak lies this quasi–ghost town, 27 miles north of Steamboat Springs via Elk River Rd (Routt County Rd 129). It was once the terminus of the railroad from Wyoming, and has a rich history as a secluded harbor for outlaws. (Rumor has it that Butch Cassidy was jailed here in a bear cage.) It’s an unfrequented destination that still has a handful of residents and a couple of interesting junk and crafts shops. Nearby Steamboat Lake State Park and Pearl Lake State Park are both developed state parks on the side of reservoirs with shoreline camping, some short hiking trails and opportunities for fishing and boating.
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Steamboat Lake State Park
If you like boating, fishing and bird-watching, this is an incredible place to stay. The campsites ($20 to $26) on the water are pretty good, but could be a little shadier. A grouping of 10 small cabins ($90), with mattresses and mini fridges, offer some creature comforts. There are 7 miles of trails around the park, open to hiking and mountain biking.
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Bud Werner Memorial Library
A perfect indoor break for families, this library has awesome interactive games in the kids' area, a sweet fish tank, free wi-fi and story time. Oh yeah, it has books, too.
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Stagecoach State Park
Sixteen miles south of Steamboat Springs via US 40, Hwy 131 and Routt County Rd 14, Stagecoach State Park is the nearest inexpensive camping (RV and tent campsites $10 to $24) to Steamboat Springs. The park is on the edge of a large reservoir in a good location for trips into the Flat Tops Wilderness, Sarvis Creek Wilderness and Blacktail Mountain. In summer campers entertain themselves with fishing and a modest, 8-mile network of hiking trails, while speedboats zoom along the water. In winter camping is limited (rangers clear snow from four sites) and activities in the park include snowmobiling, Nordic skiing and ice fishing. Every year developers say they are going to reopen a ski area near here.
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MacGregor Ranch Museum
In 1872 Alexander and Clara MacGregor arrived in Estes Park and settled beside Black Canyon Creek near Lumpy Ridge. Their granddaughter Muriel MacGregor bequeathed the ranch as an educational trust upon her death. It’s a living museum featuring original living and working quarters; the ranch still raises Black Angus cattle. The main attraction is a cruise through the museum to check out the historic clothes, photographs and more. The ranch is 1 mile north of Estes Park off Devils Gulch Rd. An NPS scenic and conservation easement helps fund the operation, and provides trail access to Lumpy Ridge.
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Estes Park Museum
This ambitious community museum has a commendable rotation of exhibits on local culture. It’s not only corny Ice Age mannequins either – you can also sit under the stars and listen to recorded histories in the main gallery, or learn more about the long history of floods that have ripped through town.