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How to Get Your Kicks in Fort Collins
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Fort Collins is notorious for its citizens enjoying the outdoors in all ways possible, from biking to rock climbing. When the sun shines in this city, people flood the streets enroute to the nearest parks, riverbeds, and hiking trails. As most Coloradoans are thrill seekers, Fort Collins offers many opportunities for adventure for Colorado State University students.
1. Hiking around Horsetooth
There are many places near Horsetooth Reservoir to hike up the foothills in order to catch some amazing views before sundown. In the Horsetooth Mountain Open Space, there are many trails leading up to Horsetooth Falls and Horsetooth Rock that one can hike, bike, or run up. These trails also connect to those in Lory State Park, where trails lead up to Arthur’s Rock.
2. Floating Down the Poudre River
When the sun begins to blaze throughout the summer days, floating down the Poudre River can be a great way to cool off. Gather up your friends and your inner tubes, which can be found at JAX Home and Ranch or any tire shop, and prepare for a day in the cool waters of the Poudre River. Make sure to tighten those Chacos as it may be a bumpy ride in some spots. If you have a more extensive thirst for adventure, opportunities to white water raft down the Poudre are plentiful as companies such as Rocky Mountain Adventures or Mountain Whitewater Descents offer half-day and full-day trips.
3. String up a Hammock
Trees are abundant in Fort Collins near the Poudre River and Horsetooth Reservoir, which makes locations for relaxing in a hammock abundant. Break out your ENO hammock and hang it between two trees for a nice time in nature.
4. Do Your Thing at City Park
Whether it be throwing a Frisbee, slacklining, hula hooping, or engaging in Live Action Role Play (LARPing), City Park on Mulberry Street offers the space for anyone to do what they enjoy. Of the endless possibilities, a slackline can be strung up between two trees for you to live out their circus tightrope performer dreams. After much practice, there is a large variety of tricks that can be performed on a slackline with enough skill. Whatever you end up doing at City Park, you can almost always find a friendly Coloradoan willing to join you.
5. Biking Along the Spring Creek Trail
The Spring Creek Trail offers a 7 mile path across the city that provides for a great bike ride. Whether you be a professional or a leisurely bike rider, this would be a great way to spend the day. Air up your tires and get ready for a fun ride in the Fort.
6. Bouldering at Carter Lake
With crash pad and climbing shoes in tow, a trip to Carter Lake would be a great time for bouldering. Though it is out towards the Longmont/Loveland area, it is worth the short drive for all of the bouldering opportunities.
7. Hit up a Show
Old Town offers three unique venues to gather with music lovers and dance the night away. Hodi’s Half Note, the Aggie Theatre, and Avogadro’s Number are all worth visiting as small bands frequent the locations. Whether it be dancing along to folk musicians or becoming mystified by Aaron Carter’s comeback tour, you can be sure to have a memorable night at these establishments.
8. Mountain Drives
If you are feeling mellow, what beats out a drive through the foothills to the soundtrack of folk music? If you follow highway 287 through Bellevue, you can find yourself driving through the Rist Canyon. Though most of the area is still recovering from the Hyde Park, the drive allows for some beautiful views among the red rock canyon walls and the young pine trees.
9. Stand Up Paddle Boarding
In the summer months, you can see many people out and about on Horsetooth Reservoir. In addition to the boaters, you can see people stand-up paddle boarding across some of the more secluded parts of the lake. More commonly known as SUP, this sport consists of standing on what resembles of surfboard and paddling across the lake. Though it requires much balance, this new activity has taken place in the hearts of Fort Collins adventure seekers.
10. Snowshoeing
When the sun goes into hiding during the long winter months in Colorado, it can be difficult to get out of the house and away from the fireplace. The adventures do not have to end with the first sight of snow, though Fort Collins doesn’t have a local ski resort. While not going far from the city, you can rent snowshoes from any outdoor store and head on up past Ted’s Place on Highway 14 to popular snowshoeing locations such as Zimmerman Lake or Blue Lake Trail. These trails allow for long, challenging hikes through the snow to spice up your winter.
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