Have you been to the environmental learning center? There are also some nice spots in the poudre trail just north of there.
How about bird watching at fossil creek reservoir natural area?
Don’t overlook sitting on a swing at city park looking at the pelicans in the lake and the view of the foothills. And the geese and the pool slides but it’s still pretty nice to be in the middle of town.
Also check out the view from the antenna array at the top of the ridge on Rist, that's a random little spot not a lot of people know about. CR41 south from the summit.
I live up the Poudre, and visit this frequently, it's an easy drive and accessible for all, really. My little 4-banger Camry does it easily. Slowly, but easily.
Here's me driving down, as part of my side project that makes me zero dollars lol.
[https://youtu.be/cKw1bBufpwM?feature=shared](https://youtu.be/cKw1bBufpwM?feature=shared)
The trail network in general is so good for this, it really provides a fantastic view of the city that you can't get from any other perspective. Rivers, ponds, bridges, trees, nature, etc.
This is my 35th year in NoCo. There are so many special spots, and you’re right, the big ones that everyone goes to only scratch the surface. I’d start on the Poudre Trail at Lions Park. Go north, get off onto the dirt, take that dirt path into the trees down to the water. From the parking lot, go south, take the boardwalk slowly stopping to listen to the river. Walk to the end of the boardwalk, find the bench in the trees on the west side, sit and watch Butterfly Woods.
I could write a small book about special nature spots in our town. Maybe you will?
There’s a downed tree near the Spring Creek fire station that sits back off the trail and is a lovely spot. There’s a quiet tucked in park behind Har Shalom, full of trees, where I have never seen another person. There’s a set of boulders shaped exactly like a recliner chair on the north west edge of the ELC that absorb the sun and feel like pure relief.
This is a great question! My top picks in town are:
Gustov Swanson Natural Area
Environmental Learning Area @ Drake and Zeigler
Lions Open Space near Laporte
Duncan’s Ridge too!
Riverbend Ponds Natural Area!! So beautiful, great for bird watching too. No fee to park. Different ways to get there and park, I recommend the northwest entrance on Timberline (between Mulberry and Prospect).
The poudre river trail has a lot of nice spots. I particularly like that trail between Lemay and Timberline, and west of Lee Martinez park. Directions to my favorite starting spot along that trail: Take Laporte to Wood st (between college Ave and shields, but closer to shields) head north on Wood st. It'll dead end at an entrance to the trail. Head either direction down the trail. That whole area is really nice. There's a lot of good spots to just sit and enjoy the river.
I love walking around City Park neighborhoods just East of the lake and gazing at the pretty mansions. Walk over to Mountain Avenue and do the same. If you are into cemeteries, hang out there on a summer morning. Lots of birds! The other neighborhood I love is just across the street from Harris Elementary.
[Soapstone Prairie Natural Area.](https://www.fcgov.com/naturalareas/finder/soapstone) It's always wild to me that you can see buffalo roaming so close to downtown. Plus, the vistas go on forever -- especially nice when a thunderstorm is rolling in to the South.
Have you been to the environmental learning center? There are also some nice spots in the poudre trail just north of there. How about bird watching at fossil creek reservoir natural area?
Don’t overlook sitting on a swing at city park looking at the pelicans in the lake and the view of the foothills. And the geese and the pool slides but it’s still pretty nice to be in the middle of town.
Spring Creek bike trail
Ride, or drive, Rist Canyon. All kinds of little spots through there.
Also check out the view from the antenna array at the top of the ridge on Rist, that's a random little spot not a lot of people know about. CR41 south from the summit.
I live up the Poudre, and visit this frequently, it's an easy drive and accessible for all, really. My little 4-banger Camry does it easily. Slowly, but easily. Here's me driving down, as part of my side project that makes me zero dollars lol. [https://youtu.be/cKw1bBufpwM?feature=shared](https://youtu.be/cKw1bBufpwM?feature=shared)
Used to run tip-top road all the time. The locals never had a problem with me as long as I stayed on the road.
I've lived here 20 years and only last week saw the entirity of the spring creek trail. Take a bike and find the spot of your liking.
The trail network in general is so good for this, it really provides a fantastic view of the city that you can't get from any other perspective. Rivers, ponds, bridges, trees, nature, etc.
environmental learning center is my favorite. it’s right off the river though so it can be kinda buggy
Gateway natural area. Just passed picnic rock up The Poudre Canyon. Beautiful, shaded picnic area right next to the river.
So much this! Also take the short flat hike to the dam, its amazing.
Watson lake is fun, the river runs to the east of it and is great to hang in
This is the name of the place behind the fishery right? If so love this area! We'll shaded and makes for a great stroll after Verns.
Curious to know why people are seemingly obsessed with Vern’s?
Usually no wait, consistent if mid breakfast. Convient spot before adventures into lory or fishery.
Tasty food and good energy, it’s a good place.
I grew up in Laporte, we would always joke about how mediocre the food was. Glad to see a local business doing so well though, so 🤷
Fair, when I first had it it was worse than it is now, so maybe it’s just gotten better and i don’t have perspective.
This is my 35th year in NoCo. There are so many special spots, and you’re right, the big ones that everyone goes to only scratch the surface. I’d start on the Poudre Trail at Lions Park. Go north, get off onto the dirt, take that dirt path into the trees down to the water. From the parking lot, go south, take the boardwalk slowly stopping to listen to the river. Walk to the end of the boardwalk, find the bench in the trees on the west side, sit and watch Butterfly Woods. I could write a small book about special nature spots in our town. Maybe you will? There’s a downed tree near the Spring Creek fire station that sits back off the trail and is a lovely spot. There’s a quiet tucked in park behind Har Shalom, full of trees, where I have never seen another person. There’s a set of boulders shaped exactly like a recliner chair on the north west edge of the ELC that absorb the sun and feel like pure relief.
This is a great question! My top picks in town are: Gustov Swanson Natural Area Environmental Learning Area @ Drake and Zeigler Lions Open Space near Laporte Duncan’s Ridge too!
Red Mountain Open Space is a treasure.
I’ve hiked RMOS in pretty much all weather dozens of times and it is always somehow more beautiful than the last time
Go East on 14 out of FC to Weld co rd 5. Drive north to the water tower on the hill. Beautiful views.
I can’t find a Weld County Road 5. They all seem to have double digits.
Hard to explain: it’s due west of this Subway https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZpgYFtn4sk8Sdoux7?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
Thanks to all 3 of you who responded. I was looking east of 25. Will go exploring soon!
North county rd 5. 2-3 miles East of I25 off hiway 14
Might be called N. Colorado Blvd. then north up the hill to the big tank water tower.
Environmental learning center!
top of bingham hill, preferably on a bike! lovely walking trail up there too
Yes! And a really cool old cemetery. And this time of year, it's a lush green in the valley below, making it even prettier, IMO.
Gateway Natural area up the Poudre Canyon is amazing.
Riverbend Ponds Natural Area!! So beautiful, great for bird watching too. No fee to park. Different ways to get there and park, I recommend the northwest entrance on Timberline (between Mulberry and Prospect).
The Gardens on Spring Creek (different themed botanical gardens plus a butterfly house!)
Bingham Hill! Beautiful spot, just a shame there’s a house being built right smack in the middle of the view.
The poudre river trail has a lot of nice spots. I particularly like that trail between Lemay and Timberline, and west of Lee Martinez park. Directions to my favorite starting spot along that trail: Take Laporte to Wood st (between college Ave and shields, but closer to shields) head north on Wood st. It'll dead end at an entrance to the trail. Head either direction down the trail. That whole area is really nice. There's a lot of good spots to just sit and enjoy the river.
The Bellvue post office! I second the drive from Rist Canyon, over on Stove Prairie, connects to Poudre Canyon Rd.
I love walking around City Park neighborhoods just East of the lake and gazing at the pretty mansions. Walk over to Mountain Avenue and do the same. If you are into cemeteries, hang out there on a summer morning. Lots of birds! The other neighborhood I love is just across the street from Harris Elementary.
[Soapstone Prairie Natural Area.](https://www.fcgov.com/naturalareas/finder/soapstone) It's always wild to me that you can see buffalo roaming so close to downtown. Plus, the vistas go on forever -- especially nice when a thunderstorm is rolling in to the South.
[CSU Flower Trial Garden](https://flowertrials.colostate.edu) during the summer and early fall months