Highlights: rock overlooks, valley trails, and reservoir coves
- Arthur's Rock: a granite viewpoint above the reservoir, reached on a hiking-only trail.
- Corral Center Mountain Bike Park: a place to practice on a pump track, dirt jumps, and skills features.
- Soldier Canyon: a short waterfall walk with seasonal flow, especially worth considering in spring.
- Horsetooth's coves: shoreline destinations for fishing or a hand-carried boat, with a different feel from the higher trails.
Know before you go
Fees, hours, and seasonal access
Checked : day-use hours are 5 a.m. to sunset. The park office lists 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, subject to staffing. Plan your return around sunset rather than assuming a fixed evening closing time.
Vehicles need a valid park pass. The individual daily pass for entry on foot, bicycle, or horseback is USD 4. Camping costs are separate. The official sources reviewed give conflicting information about the daily vehicle entrance fee. Check with the park before making plans. The CPW park page contains differing fee ranges; confirm the rate for your vehicle before arrival.
Mud can trigger trail closures. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are possible on some trails when conditions allow; these are seasonal opportunities, not a promise of suitable snow.
Safety on trails and in the backcountry
Check Lory's COTREX map and trail notices before leaving. Live trail status on : This information could not be verified because the relevant official source was unavailable. If you cannot access the map, ask the park office about closures.
- Carry drinking water. Major trailheads do not provide it, and the backcountry sites have no water supply.
- Give horses priority on shared trails. Mountain bikers also yield to hikers and should announce their approach before passing.
- Watch wildlife from a distance. Do not approach, chase, or feed animals.
- Ask the visitor center about hunting seasons and associated closures before an autumn outing.
Visit responsibly
Keep dogs on a handheld leash no longer than 6 feet (about 1.8 m), and dispose of their waste. Stay on designated trails and respect closures instead of creating a route around a muddy section. Leave plants, rocks, and historical objects in place.
Backcountry campfires are prohibited; small camp stoves are permitted under the published camping rules checked . Confirm any additional fire restrictions before your visit.
Camping reservations and activity permits
As checked , Lory's six backcountry sites require reservations. CPW lists USD 18 per campsite per night, plus the required park pass. The booking window opens up to six months before arrival. From the Tuesday after Labor Day to the Friday before Memorial Day, reservations are limited to Friday and Saturday nights.
Use the booking links on CPW's Lory camping page, or call 1-800-244-5613. Each site allows up to six people. Actual availability was not checked.
Reserve Soldier Canyon group picnic space through the park office. Timber and South Eltuck group areas use CPW's booking service or the reservation phone number above. Climbers need a special activity permit before installing fixed hardware.
For a separate reservation requirement for ordinary day entry: No information was found in the official sources reviewed.
Maps, location, and road access
Use 708 Lodgepole Drive, Bellvue, CO 80512 for the park approach. Access is via Lodgepole Drive, also identified as County Road 25G. The visitor center is near the entrance at the park's north end. Horsetooth Reservoir borders Lory to the east; Horsetooth Mountain Open Space adjoins the park to the south.
The official brochure and map shows the trail network and neighboring land. Use it to understand connections, then check current notices and trail signs. Its 2024 publication date means it should not be treated as a live conditions report.
Choose a trail or a day by the water
Compare hiking and shared-trail options
CPW's park highlights and trail listings distinguish walking routes from shared trails. All four options below are unpaved. For a mixed group, first decide whether everyone will walk or whether you need a route that also permits bicycles or horses.
| Trail | Use and terrain |
|---|---|
| Waterfall | Hiking only. Short walk; waterfall flow is seasonal. |
| Well Gulch Nature | Hiking only. Nature-focused route through several habitats. |
| Arthur's Rock | Hiking only. Climb through meadows and forest toward a granite overlook. |
| South Valley Loop | Hiking, biking, and horseback riding near the southern park boundary. |
The official sources reviewed give conflicting information about some trail lengths and difficulty ratings. Check with the park before making plans. Confirm the distance of your full route, including the return, rather than treating a listed trail segment as a complete outing.
Biking, horseback riding, and reservoir access
Beyond the shared trails, riders can use the Corral Center bike facilities or the equestrian practice course. CPW lists no additional fee for either course, as checked . Wet or hazardous conditions can close the bike area. Timber and Howard trails are designated for expert mountain bikers and horseback riders.
For paddling, CPW identifies North Eltuck Bay as a hand-launch access point reached from its parking area. This is different from launching a trailered boat at a reservoir ramp. Anglers can reach several Horsetooth coves from Lory; check applicable Colorado fishing-license requirements before fishing.
Facilities and accessibility
- Visitor center: interpretive displays, maps, and a small shop near the entrance.
- Trailheads: vault toilets and waste receptacles at major access points.
- Picnic areas: individual sites and reservable group spaces. A group reservation does not guarantee parking.
- Overnight facilities: backcountry sites only, at least 2 miles (about 3.2 km) from the trailhead. They have no toilets or tent pads. Vehicle camping and dispersed camping are not allowed.
For indoor lodging and supplies, plan to use nearby communities; CPW's brochure identifies LaPorte as an option.
CPW's accessible-facility guide lists Lory's visitor center and conference room, along with picnic and restroom options. Some restrooms may require assistance. Contact the park for exact locations and access conditions suited to your needs; these listings do not establish that the hiking routes are wheelchair accessible.
About Lory State Park
From ranchland to a state park
Colorado acquired the former ranchland in 1967. The park was officially named in 1975 for Charles A. Lory, who led Colorado State University from 1909 to 1940. These dates describe different milestones. CPW also records earlier Indigenous use of the area and remnants of later sandstone quarrying.
Wildlife and foothill habitats
Grasslands, shrub-covered slopes, conifer forest, and wet areas create different places to look for wildlife. CPW records mule deer, Abert's squirrels, black bears, mountain lions, and prairie rattlesnakes, among other species. Birdlife includes meadowlarks, wild turkeys, and raptors. Look across more than one habitat during a visit, without expecting a particular sighting.
Contact the park
Park authority: Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Its official park website is linked in the fees section above.
Lory State Park708 Lodgepole Drive
Bellvue, CO 80512, USA
Park office:970-493-1623
Email:[email protected]
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