Winter Activities
Snowshoeing (Rentals Available)
Fort Collins offers great snowshoeing opportunities in and around town and this activity is a great way to enjoy some of the best hiking areas during the winter around Arapahoe & Roosevelt National Forest, Horsetooth Reservoir and in the Poudre Canyon. Be sure to follow Leave No Trace Priciples when recreating on public lands and always check road and trail conditions before heading out on an adventure.
- Lory State Park: Located just west of Fort Collins, Lory State Park offers an abundant amount of trails with beautiful views and ranging difficulty levels. Trails are open year-round and are open to Hiking, Snowshoeing, and Cross Country Skiing. Directions: 708 Lodgepole Dr, Bellvue, CO
- Horsetooth Mountain Open Space: Located west of Fort Collins, Horsetooth Mountain Open Space is one of Fort Collins' greatest outdoor playgrounds and it is open year-round. Choose from multiple different trails ranging in difficulty level and enjoy the snowy vistas. Directions: 6550 W County Rd 38 E, Fort Collins, CO 80526
- Mineral Spring Gulch: Located in the Poudre Canyon this trail is great for a short, mid-winter excursion. It is four miles long, an out-and-back trail, and great for beginners. Directions: 149-211 Crown Point Road, Roosevelt National Forest, Bellvue, CO 80512
- Little Beaver Creek Trail: Located in the Poudre Canyon, this trail is great for early season snow and is moderate in skill level. It is two miles long, out-and-back, and gains 1,500 ft in elevation. Directions: 7311 North County Road 63E, Roosevelt National Forest, Bellvue, CO 80512
- Big South Trail: This six-mile trail is located within the upper reaches of the Poudre Canyon and offers stunning views of frozen waterfalls. It is an out-and-back trail with moderate difficulty and gains 5600ft in elevation Directions: 48924 Poudre Canyon Highway, Roosevelt National Forest, Bellvue, CO 80512
- Green Ridge Road: Located in the upper reaches of the Poudre Canyon, this moderate difficulty trail offers great views of several frozen lakes and travels through the rolling forest. At only three miles long this snowshoeing trip is perfect for a quick out-and-back trip. Directions: 51561 Poudre Canyon Highway, Roosevelt National Forest, Bellvue, CO 80512,
- Blue Lake: As one of the most popular snowshoeing spots in the upper reaches of Poudre Canyon, this trail offers easier short, round-trip excursions or a more challenging, all-day adventure. This trail is 4.75 miles one-way and offers beautiful views of Blue Lake surrounded by towering mountains. Directions: 51561 Poudre Canyon Highway, Roosevelt National Forest, Bellvue, CO 80512
- Trap Park: Located in the upper reaches of the Poudre Canyon this moderately difficult trail follows a small canyon for 11.5 miles and offers beautiful views of the Neota Wilderness and beautiful riparian area. Directions: 51561 Poudre Canyon Highway, Roosevelt National Forest, Bellvue, CO 80512, USA
Cross-Country Skiing (Rentals Available)
Cross Country Skiing is a popular activity in Fort Collins and with multiple trail options ranging in difficulty, one can make a whole vacation experiencing all of them.
- City Park Nine Golf Course: Located in the center of Fort Collins, City Park Nine Golf Course offers beginner cross-country skiing. Directions: 411 S Bryan Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80521
- Lory State Park: Located just west of Fort Collins, Lory State Park offers an abundant amount of trails with beautiful views and ranging difficulty levels. Trails are open year-round and are open to Hiking, Snowshoeing, and Cross Country Skiing. Directions: 708 Lodgepole Dr, Bellvue, CO
- Horsetooth Mountain Open Space: Located west of Fort Collins, Horsetooth Mountain Open Space is one of Fort Collin’s greatest outdoor playgrounds and it is open year-round. Choose from multiple different trails ranging in difficulty level and enjoy the snowy vistas. Directions: 6550 W County Rd 38 E, Fort Collins, CO 80526
- Meadows Trail to Zimmerman Lake: Offering two cross-country skiing trails to Zimmerman Lake, this excursion is considered difficult. Choose from a 1.5-mile steep trail or a 9 mile more demanding trail. The trail goes through Neota Wilderness area and gains an elevation of 1,970 ft. Directions: 56663 Poudre Canyon Highway, Roosevelt National Forest, Bellvue, CO 80512
- Zimmerman Lake Loop Trail: This 3.1-mile trail in the Upper Poudre Canyon is a more difficult cross-country skiing trail but one of the most popular because it tends to have great late-season snow and offers some good downhill areas. Choose from multiple different trailheads and runs along the Never Summer Mountain Range. Directions: 56663 Poudre Canyon Highway, Roosevelt National Forest, Bellvue, CO 80512
Sledding (Check area restrictions before heading out)
A great family activity during snowy days in Fort Collins is sledding. There are several amazing sledding hills around Fort Collins that can provide fun for all ages.
Ice Skating (Requires experience and personal gear)
Fort Collins brings you back to the time of tying up your laces and ice-skating on a lake. Enjoy natural ice-skating at City Park, where a safe skating area is designated during those extra chilly days.
Ice Fishing (Requires experience and personal gear)
During cold days in Fort Collins, it is a common sight to see ice-fishers atop the thick icecap over Sheldon Lake in City Park. Bundle up and reel em’ in during the winter in Fort Collins.
Rentals
*Dependent on snow levels in Fort Collins.
