Lory State Park

Lory State Park is a state park in Colorado located in Bellvue, and is approximately 10 miles west from the city of Fort Collins. The park offers mountain biking, hiking, picnicing, and horseback riding with scenic views of Horsetooth Reservoir.

Activities

There are a large variety of things to do available to Lory State Park explorers.

Here is a sampling of the many things to do at Lory park:

Boating At Lory State Park

Lory State Park abuts against the Horsetooth Reservoir, which is run by the Larimer County Department of Natural Resources. This reservoir is open to canoers, kayakers, and rafters alike from Lory State Park. Those looking to use a proper boat launch, or hoping to pilot a larger craft, will have to go to the boat launch at Horsetooth Dam.

If you’re looking for more nearby boating options, especially when camping overnight, check out Boyd Lake State Park. This park is a short drive from Lory State Park, and is an easy drive for those looking to split time between the two locations.

Hiking At Lory State Park

Lory State Park is home to over 26 miles of trails that span the entire park. These trails are made for everyone from hikers to mountain bikers and even horseback riders. With trails ranging from easy to difficult, there’s sure to be a trail for every skill level. It is worth noting that various trails throughout the park may be closed due to weather, especially during the rainy season. Be sure to check the park website for more information about park conditions, as well as plan ahead to take on a less difficult trail should Mother Nature decide to turn the weather against you.

Biking At Lory State Park

There are over 21 miles of mountain biking trails throughout Lory State Park, making this an incredible biking location. Trails like Howard, Timber, and Mill Creek Link have a more advanced bent to them, while the trails throughout the valley are easier for beginner riders. As with the hiking trails throughout the park, be sure to check out the state park website to find out biking conditions and to ensure your trail of choice is open for use.

Fishing At Lory State Park

Thanks to the easy access to Horsetooth Reservoir’s Quarry, as well as North and South Eltuck, Soldier and Satanka Coves, and other fishing locations, anglers of all skill levels are sure to find themselves enthralled by this state park. Keep in mind that all state and local fishing licenses are required before fishing at the park, and check out the Lory State Park bag restrictions before planning your catch for the day. Fishing conditions, as well as more seasonal information on what you can catch where can be found on the state park website.

Geocaching At Lory State Park

Lory State Park is home to one geocaching location but is open to citizens placing their own geocaches in the park so long as they complete the application process. If you’re looking to take part in the world’s largest scavenger hunt, as well as hone your GPS skills, head to Lory State Park for some geocaching fun.

Horseback Riding At Lory State Park

Horseback riding is allowed along over 21 miles of trails throughout Lory State Park. Keep in mind there are no overnight facilities for horses in the park, and horse trailers may find difficulty parking if there is a higher than usual volume of visitors at the park.

Rock Climbing at Lory State Park

Lory State Park is home to Arthur’s Rock, a rock-climbing location that is sure to attract climbers of all skill levels. Not only is the rock itself climbable, but the surrounding area has plenty of ascendable faces worth checking out. The park itself has several constructed routes that include bolted protection and rappel anchors, as well as mixed versions of each.

While climbing is open to everyone, keep in mind that the installation of new fixed hardware cannot be done without a permit from Park Management. For more information, as well as safety guidelines, check out the Lorry State Park website.

Pets At Lory State Park

Dogs are welcome in the park so long as they are kept on a 6 foot or shorter leash at all times, and their waste is properly taken care of.

Horses are welcome for horseback riding, however there are no dedicated horse facilities in the park for overnights, and visitors should be aware of potential parking issues with horse trailers should the park experience a higher than usual influx of visitors, especially over weekends or on holidays.

Camping At Lory State Park

Lory State Park is home to six backcountry campsites. Keep in mind there is no RV camping, car camping, or traditional campground pads at Lory State Park, so all campers should be prepared for campsites that require at least a 2-mile hike one-way to access their campsites. As expected from backcountry campsites, there is no water available, and fires are prohibited at these locations. For more information or to reserve a spot, check out the Lory State Park website.

Park Location

Lory State Park
708 Lodgepole Drive
Bellvue CO 80512
Phone: 970.493.1623
Website
Reservations

Map

Video

Below is an interesting YouTube video highlighting a number of attractions at Lory State Park: