Lory State Park hides a bike park behind Horsetooth

Most people who visit Horsetooth never leave the busy east shore. Drive around to the back of the reservoir, out past Bellvue, and you reach Lory State Park, a Colorado Parks and Wildlife state park tucked into the wooded foothills west of Fort Collins. At about 2,574 acres it has room for a lot more than one walk.

The signature hike climbs to Arthur’s Rock, a rocky knob listed at roughly 6,780 feet, reached by a steep mile-and-change trail through red foothill outcrops with a long view back over the water and the plains. Beyond it, CPW keeps over 28 miles of trail open for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding, including an equestrian cross-country course. There is also a dedicated bike park with a pump track, dirt jumps, and a skills area, and climbers use the granite around Arthur’s Rock itself.

One thing to sort before you go: Lory is a state park, not county land. You need a CPW daily pass or the Keep Colorado Wild pass, which is different from the Larimer County permit used across the reservoir at Horsetooth Mountain. The lots are small, so start early on summer weekends. For current fees, hours, and trail status, check the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Lory State Park page.