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Colorado State Parks
Parks > Lory State Park > Trails

Trails

From rolling valleys to mountainous hillsides, Lory State Park’s 26 miles of trails rarely exceed a 12 percent grade. The variety of trails makes the park suitable for short or long hikes, mountain bikes, horseback riders, and joggers. Safe drinking water and restroom facilities are not available on the trails. An adequate water supply should be carried and may be obtained near the park entrance.

Arthur’s Rock Trail

  • Permitted uses: Foot only
  • Miles paved: 0
  • Miles non-paved: 1.7
  • Total distance: 1.7
  • Usage: Medium to High
  • Degree of difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
  • Elevation: 5,600
  • ADA accessible: No
  • Pets: Yes, must be under control and on a leash not exceeding 6 feet in length.

Comments: This 1.7-mile hiking trail winds through forested mountainsides and open meadows to the summit of Arthur’s Rock. Upon reaching the summit, hikers are rewarded with a breathtaking view of Horsetooth Reservoir and the Front Range from an elevation of 6,780 feet. Read a photo-essay walkthrough of Arthur’s Rock Trail, or watch a video.

Timber Trail

  • Permitted uses: Foot, expert horse, and expert mountain bike
  • Miles paved: 0
  • Miles non-paved: 3.7
  • Total distance: 3.7
  • Usage: Medium
  • Degree of difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
  • Elevation: 5,600
  • ADA accessible: No
  • Pets: Yes, must be under control and on a leash not exceeding 6 feet in length.

Comments: This 3.7-mile trail ascends from the Group Picnic Area to the ridge behind Arthur’s Rock. The trail climbs steeply through grass and shrub lands, leveling off in the pine forest, where the park’s six primitive backcountry sites are located.

Well Gulch Nature Trail

  • Permitted uses: Foot only
  • Miles paved: 0
  • Miles non-paved: 1.5
  • Total distance: 1.5
  • Usage: Medium to High
  • Degree of difficulty: Easy to Moderate
  • Elevation: 5,580
  • ADA accessible: No
  • Pets: Yes, must be under control and on a leash not exceeding 6 feet in length.

Comments: Wildflowers, steep rock walls, and wetland vegetation line this plush 1.5-mile trail. A self-guided nature tour takes you through the grasslands, mountain shrub, and timber life zones, with stations along the way illustrating botany, geology, and animal life in Lory State Park.

East Valley Trail

  • Permitted uses: Foot, horse, and mountain bike
  • Miles paved: 0
  • Miles non-paved: 2.2
  • Total distance: 2.2
  • Usage: Medium to High
  • Degree of difficulty: Easy
  • Elevation: 5,580
  • ADA accessible: No
  • Pets: Yes, must be under control and on a leash not exceeding 6 feet in length.

Comments: East Valley trail is a popular horse and mountain bike trail that stays at nearly the same elevation. When used with the West Valley trail, it provides a nice loop trail of approximately 5.5 miles. These trails run parallel to the main road, branching to coves at Horsetooth Reservoir or meeting with the mountain trails.

NOTE: All users yield to horseback riders and bicyclists yield to all trail users.

West Valley Trail

  • Permitted uses: Foot, horse, and mountain bike
  • Miles paved: 0
  • Miles non-paved: 2.3
  • Total distance: 2.3
  • Usage: Medium to High
  • Degree of difficulty: Easy
  • Elevation: 5,600
  • ADA accessible: No
  • Pets: Yes, must be under control and on a leash not exceeding 6 feet in length.

Comments: West Valley trail is a popular horse and mountain bike trail that stays at nearly the same elevation. When used with the East Valley trail, it provides a nice loop trail with bridges and scenic views.

NOTE: All users yield to horseback riders and bicyclists yield to all trail users.

  • Permitted uses: Foot, horse, and mountain bike
  • Miles paved: 0
  • Miles non-paved: 0.9
  • Total distance: 0.9
  • Usage: Medium
  • Degree of difficulty: Difficult
  • Elevation: 5,600
  • ADA accessible: No
  • Pets: Yes, must be under control and on a leash not exceeding 6 feet in length.

Comments: Mill Creek Link trail provides access for hikers, horseback riders, and mountain bikers to the Mill Creek trail in Horsetooth Mountain Open Space (operated by Larimer County Parks). From the south valley trail, this link offers passage to the upper elevations of Horsetooth Mountain Open Space via the Mill Creek Trail.

NOTE: All users yield to horseback riders and bicyclists yield to all trail users.

Shoreline Trail

  • Permitted uses: Foot, horse, and mountain bike
  • Miles paved: 0
  • Miles non-paved: 1
  • Total distance: 1
  • Usage: Low
  • Degree of difficulty: Easy to Moderate
  • Elevation: 5,600
  • ADA accessible: No
  • Pets: Yes, must be under control and on a leash not exceeding 6 feet in length.

Comments: This comfortable one-mile hike leads down to the edge of Horsetooth Reservoir. The red sandstone hogbacks offer a striking background to the grassy meadows where deer graze.

Overlook Trail

  • Permitted uses: Foot only
  • Miles paved: 0
  • Miles non-paved: 1.2
  • Total distance: 1.2
  • Usage: Low to Medium
  • Degree of difficulty: Moderate
  • Elevation: 5,800
  • ADA accessible: No
  • Pets: Yes, must be under control and on a leash not exceeding 6 feet in length.

Comments: Mule deer, wildflowers, Abert’s squirrels, and spectacular views of the eastern plains can be seen along this 1.2-mile trail, connecting Arthur’s Rock Trail to the Well Gulch Nature Trail.

Westridge Trail

  • Permitted uses: Foot, horse, and mountain bike
  • Miles paved: 0
  • Miles non-paved: 1.5
  • Total distance: 1.5
  • Usage: Low
  • Degree of difficulty: Moderate
  • Elevation: 6,700
  • ADA accessible: No
  • Pets: Yes, must be under control and on a leash not exceeding 6 feet in length.

Comments: Following old jeep and fire roads, this 1.5-mile trail takes you along the west border of Lory. Tucked down in the pine forest broken by wildflower-filled, open meadows, it’s easy to forget about how close you are to civilization.

Waterfall Trail

  • Permitted uses: Foot only
  • Miles paved: 0
  • Miles non-paved: 0.1
  • Total distance: 0.1
  • Usage: Minimal
  • Degree of difficulty: Easy
  • Elevation: 5,600
  • ADA accessible: No
  • Pets: Yes, must be under control and on a leash not exceeding 6 feet in length.

Comments: This 0.1-mile trail leads back to a series of waterfalls (during the spring and early summer). Wetland vegetation can be found along the trail throughout the summer.

Howard Trail

  • Permitted uses: Foot, expert horse, and expert mountain bike
  • Miles paved: 0
  • Miles non-paved: 2.1
  • Total distance: 2.1
  • Usage: Medium
  • Degree of difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
  • Elevation: 6,400
  • ADA accessible: No
  • Pets: Yes, must be under control and on a leash not exceeding 6 feet in length.

Comments: This 2.1-mile trail winds through forested mountainsides and an open meadow to intersect with the Timber Trail near the summit of Arthur’s Rock. The views to the east overlooking Horsetooth Reservoir and the City of Fort Collins are spectacular.

Kimmons Trail

  • Permitted uses: Foot, horse, and mountain bike
  • Miles paved: 0
  • Miles non-paved: 1.1
  • Total distance: 1.1
  • Usage: Low to Medium
  • Degree of difficulty: Easy to Moderate
  • Elevation: 6,000
  • ADA accessible: No
  • Pets: Yes, must be under control and on a leash not exceeding 6 feet in length.

Comments: Spectacular views of the eastern plains can be seen along this 1.1-mile trail, connecting Timber Trail to the West Valley Trail.

South Valley Trail Loop

  • Permitted uses: Foot, horse, and mountain bike
  • Miles paved: 0
  • Miles non-paved: 2.7
  • Total distance: 2.7
  • Usage: High
  • Degree of difficulty: Easy
  • Elevation: 5,400
  • ADA accessible: No
  • Pets: Yes, must be under control and on a leash not exceeding 6 feet in length.

Comments: This easy 2.7-mile loop trail takes you to the south border of Lory State Park. This link offers an easy transition into Horsetooth Mountain Open Space.