Cache la Poudre River
The Cache la Poudre River has carved a canyon over time that is truly a hidden treasure, with majestic cliffs and intriguing rock formations enveloped in ponderosa and lodgepole pines, sage brush, mountain mahogany and aspen. The Cache la Poudre River–the place where French-Canadian trappers hid their gunpowder during a raging blizzard in the early 1800s, hence the name – begins high in the peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park, along the Continental Divide. Flowing north and east through Roosevelt National Forest, it tumbles down the slopes of the Front Range and meanders through the city of Fort Collins. From its headwaters to the confluence with the South Platte River east of Greeley, the Cache la Poudre River drops 7,000 feet.
The Poudre (pronounced pooh-der) is Colorado’s only nationally designated “Wild & Scenic” River. There are three national Heritage Areas in Colorado, including the Cache La Poudre River Natural Heritage Area, established in 1983. There are a number of ways to explore the area, including walking and biking tours near parks, lakes, the Poudre River Trail and numerous historical sites.
Colorado Highway 14, which follows much of the river, is a designated Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway between Fort Collins and the town of Walden. The Cache la Poudre-North Park Scenic Byway is recognized as one of the state’s premiere scenic highways. This route features stunning scenery in Poudre Canyon and along the Poudre River, as well as vast forests and high peaks. Stop at the Home Moraine Geological Site, an area carved by glaciers, and keep an eye out for bighorn sheep. About 50 miles up the canyon, the road drops into the over 10,000 foot Cameron Pass in the vast North Park Valley. Visitors will want to stop a moment and take in the view of Nokhu Crags.
Take in all the views as you drive west into the Poudre Canyon. There are plenty of places to stop for a picnic or watch the river tumble past. This area is especially popular with rafters and kayakers. If you like to fish, this is one of the west’s finest trout routes and streams. Hiking and mountain biking trails along the way, including Grey Rock and Young Gulch Trail, offer pleasant trips into the distinctive ecosystems of the foothills.
Continue up the canyon to Stove Prairie and on to Buckhorn Mountain, where a sweeping panorama of the high plains to the east and Rocky Mountains to the west captivates locals and visitors. Make your way back to Fort Collins through Rist Canyon.
The Cache la Poudre River Canyon hosts a myriad of recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. From whitewater rafting (class I-V rapids), hiking, biking, camping, kayaking, and fishing, to winter sports like snowshoeing, cross country skiing and snowmobiling, the canyon is the perfect place to get away, all year round.
For more information, please contact the Visit Fort Collins Information Center.
