Cache La Poudre-North Park Scenic Byway Overview

Pines Along Highway 14 (CO) [1]

The Cache La Poudre-North Park Scenic Byway travels westward from the city of Fort Collins to the quiet, bowl-shaped valley of North Park, located just west of the Continental Divide. The Cache La Poudre River Canyon and the Roosevelt National Forest characterize the eastern section of the byway, while the North Park valley dominates the western section. These distinctive landscapes add adventure to both cities and the outdoors.

Winter in North Park (CO) [2]

Fort Collins boasts the widest variety of activities. For a cultural experience, attend an arts performance or visit an art gallery. In addition, zoos, farms, and a historic district are all nearby. A cache of recreation promises both exercise and entertainment. Mountain biking, ballooning, fishing, horseback riding, rafting, kayaking, swimming, and hiking are all available. In winter months, many visitors enjoy cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing. In contrast to the invigorating recreation found in Fort Collins, Red Feather Lakes features great sights for wildlife watching and photography. This small community sits peacefully in the mountains in the Roosevelt National Forest. Go hiking or biking; the area is famous for its superb trails.

Recreation awaits you at Lory State Park. Hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails cover over twenty miles. On the eastern border of the park, Horsetooth Reservoir offers optimal fishing and boating. State Forest State Park is the perfect setting for camping. Take a weekend off to camp amongst Colorado's ponderosa pines. East Sand Dunes Natural Area features cold-climate dunes that offer hours of fun. Another broad selection of wildlife resides here: moose, bighorn sheep, coyotes, beavers, porcupines, foxes, and more.

Hikers in Roosevelt National Forest (CO) [3]

Discover even more adventure in the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forests and surrounding region, which covers over 1.5 million acres. The Rawah Wilderness Area, designated in 1964, protects the landscapes in Roosevelt National Forest. Valleys carved by glaciers contrast the surrounding mountains. Explore some of the 75 miles of trails. Island Lake and Crater Lake are great places to see fish like rainbow, cutthroat, and brook trout. Also nearby is the Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge. It promises views of a variety of migrating waterfowl. During different seasons, Wilson's phalarope, American avocet, willet, sandpipers, yellowlegs, and dowitchers all seek the safety of the refuge to build their nests.

This region surrounding the route is a destination for travelers of all kinds. While recreation is high on visitors' lists, don't forget that other attractions thrive in the cities along the Cache La Poudre-North Park Scenic Byway. Here, you will find beautiful scenery, solitude, diverse landscape, and recreational opportunities.