Lory State Park in Colorado, USA - map and visitor information

Lory State Park brings together foothill trails, rock outcrops, and access to Horsetooth Reservoir near Fort Collins, Colorado. You can spend a day hiking, mountain biking, or riding your own horse, then return to town. An overnight visit takes more preparation: camping here means carrying your equipment to a backcountry site.

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

Safety on trails and in the backcountry

Check Lory's COTREX map and trail notices before leaving. 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 park camping rules. Confirm any additional fire restrictions before your visit.

Camping reservations and activity permits

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. Confirm availability for your dates when booking.

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.

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.

Nearby parks by road

• Boyd Lake State Park: This Loveland park has its entrance on North County Road 11-C, a separate outing from the Fort Collins area.
• St. Vrain State Park: Farther south, this park is reached from I-25 at Exit 240, west on Colorado 119 and then by the county-road approach to the entrance.

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.

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. 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.

Park office: 970-493-1623
Email: [email protected]