Larimer County - 31 Attractions You Must Visit
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About Larimer County
Larimer County is one of the 64 counties in the U.S. state of Colorado.It is the seventh largest county in Colorado based on population. The territory was home to Ute, Cheyenne, and Arapaho in the early 19th century before the arrival of the Europeans.
Types of Attractions in Larimer County
Activities Around
List of Attractions in Larimer County
Alberta Falls
Waterfalls
1 Day Treks
Alberta Falls is a 30-foot waterfall located in Rocky Mountain National Park. The falls are accessible via a short hike from the Bear Lake trailhead, and the area is popular with both hikers and photographers. The falls flow over a bed of metamorphic rock, and the water is cold even in summer due to its source high in the Rockies. Visitors can see a variety of plant life in the area, including aspen and Douglas fir trees. Wildlife is also common.
Alpine Visitor Center
1 Day Treks
Iconic Buildings
National Parks
Alpine Visitor Center is located in the Rocky Mountain National Park, sitting at an elevation of 11,796 feet, it is the highest visitor center in the US National Park system. The center offers stunning views of the Rockies and features exhibits on the park's wildlife, geology, and history. Visitors can also take ranger-led hikes and learn about the park's land management practices.
Arthur's Rock Trail
1 Day Treks
Mountain Peaks
Arthur's Rock is a popular 3.4-mile hiking trail in Larimer County, Colorado. The trailhead is located near the town of Estes Park, and the trail winds its way through a variety of scenery, including forests, meadows, and Rocky Mountain views. The trail is well-marked and relatively easy to follow, and it offers hikers a chance to see a variety of wildlife. The hike to Arthur's Rock takes approximately two hours round-trip, and it is considered to be moderate in difficulty.
Bear Lake Colarado
Lake/ River/ Ponds
Bear Lake is a glacially-fed lake in the Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, which is located near the summit of the Continental Divide and is surrounded by hiking trails and subalpine meadows. The lake is popular destination for hiking, camping, fishing and offers stunning views of the Rockies, and is home to a variety of wildlife. The beautiful mountains and forests increase the beauty of this lake.
Bear Lake Road
Outdoors- Other
Off-road Spots
Bear Lake Road is a 10.5 mile drive from the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center starts at 7,840 ft and climbs up to Bear Lake at 9,475 ft.Along the way, you’ll pass trailheads for hiking trails, picnic areas, campgrounds, the Moraine Park Museum and Sprague Lake. There is a large picnic area and The road ends in the Bear Lake parking lot.
Beaver Meadows Visitor Center
Viewpoints
Iconic Buildings
The Beaver Meadows Visitor Center is a window into the past. When the center was built in 1967, its design was based on the historic Rocky Mountain National Park Headquarters building that stood at the same site. Today, the visitor center houses a museum that tells the story of the park and its many visitors. In addition to exhibits on the history of the area, It also features interactive displays that allow visitors to explore the park's wildlife and geology.
Boyd Lake State Park
Outdoors- Other
1 Day Treks
Forests
Boating Spots
Boyd Lake State Park is a smaller area that surrounds Boyd Lake and sports a boat ramp, marina, swim beach, concessions and so more. The park sometimes holds events for the public including fishing derbies and clinics, education programs, and volunteer projects. Activities permitted within the park include boating, fishing, picnicking, swimming, hiking, biking, and hunting.
Dream Lake
Lake/ River/ Ponds
1 Day Treks
Dream Lake is a glacial lake located in Larimer County. Surrounded by towering peaks and evergreen forests, It is a popular destination for hikers and nature lovers. At the end of the trail, hikers are rewarded with a refreshing dip in the clear waters of Dream Lake. You can enjoy hiking, fishing, picnicking, and camping.
Emerald Lake Colarado
Lake/ River/ Ponds
Emerald Lake is a serene and beautiful lake nestled in the Rocky Mountains of Larimer County, Colorado. This idyllic spot is known for its Clear Creek flowing through it and its stunning array of wildflowers. Visitors can enjoy hiking, fishing, and picnicking in this picturesque setting. In addition, the lake is also a popular spot for bird watching. The trail to Emerald Lake is well-marked and relatively level, making it an ideal hike for families and beginners.
Estes Park Aerial Tramway
Outdoors- Other
The Estes Park Aerial Tram safely whisks you above the treetops to the summit of Prospect Mountain. Operating daily from the end of May to early September, the tram is one of the few European-style cable cars operating in the United States. Since its inaugural trip, the tramway has ferried more than 3 million people over the tree line and to the mountain's peak.
The Fort Collins Museum of Discovery has exhibits on the Native Americans who lived in the area, the early settlers, and the development of the city of Fort Collins. There are also interactive exhibits on natural science and technology. The museum also has a hands-on section where visitors can try out some of the activities that were popular in the past, such as panning for gold.
Horsetooth Reservoir
Lake/ River/ Ponds
Kayaking Spots
1 Day Treks
Horsetooth Reservoir is a man-made reservoir in Larimer County, which was created in 1950 by the construction of the Horsetooth Dam on the Big Thompson River. The reservoir is open to recreation from late May to early September and is popular for swimming, boating, fishing, and camping. It has a capacity of 156,735 acre-feet and a shoreline of 40 km.
Lily Lake and Trail
Lake/ River/ Ponds
1 Day Treks
Lily Lake is encircled by an easy, one-mile trail that offers stunning views of the Rocky Mountains. The trail is popular with hikers, birdwatchers, and nature lovers. Lily Lake is a beautiful place to relax and take in the scenery. The trail is well-maintained and features interpretive signage detailing the geological history of the area.
Mount Ida
1 Day Treks
Mountain Peaks
Mount Ida is a mountain summit in the northern Front Range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. The 12,874-foot peak is located in the Rocky Mountain National Park Wilderness, 13.4 miles west of the Town of Estes Park, Colorado, United States, on the Continental Divide between Grand and Larimer counties. The mountain was probably named after Mount Ida on Crete.
Nymph Lake
Lake/ River/ Ponds
Nymph Lake is the first of three lakes along the excellent Emerald Lake Trail in the Bear Lake section of the park. It is a beautiful spot to catch a sunrise at a very photogenic lake. Nymph Lake is also known for being filled for lily pads later in the summer. HIke to this lake is really interesting and is famous among the hike an d nature lovers.
Odessa Lake
Lake/ River/ Ponds
Odessa Lake is located 4.15 miles from Bear Lake Trailhead in Rocky Mountain National Park. Odessa offers great views of Joe Mills Mountain, The Gable, and Little Matterhorn.
Old Fall River Road
1 Day Treks
Off-road Spots
Old Fall River Road is the name of a narrow one-lane dirt road with perilous heights located in Larimer County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. This Road climbs almost to the same height as Trail Ridge, but does so via an unpaved road. The road ends at 3.602m above the sea level. Typically, the road is open by the Fourth of July weekend and closes for the season on October.
Pinewood Reservoir
Lake/ River/ Ponds
1 Day Treks
Pinewood Reservoir occupies 100 acres of water within Larimer County's Ramsay-Shockey Open Space. It is popular for trout fishing and camping. The purpose of this water project is to divert water from the west slope to the east slope for drinking water, irrigation, and hydropower generation.
Poudre Canyon
Outdoors- Other
The Poudre Canyon is a narrow verdant canyon, approximately 40 mi long, on the upper Cache la Poudre River in Larimer County, Colorado in the United States. The canyon is a glacier-formed valley through the foothills of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains northwest of Fort Collins. The canyon was inhabited by Utes in the 19th century and was the site of trapping expeditions by early settlers.
Rainbow Curve Overlook
Viewpoints
Outdoors- Other
1 Day Treks
Rainbow Curve Overlook in Rocky Mountain National Park provides fantastic views of Hidden Valley, Horseshoe Park, Alluvial Fan, Fall River and the Beaver Ponds, and several prominent mountain peaks.Note the light-colored alluvial fan on the north side of the park. It formed in 1982 when Lawn Lake, a small reservoir in the Mummy Range, broke after heavy rain.
Map of attractions in Larimer County
Comments
For more information about Larimer County, visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larimer_County,_Colorado