If you're traveling from Ft Worth, Texas to Lyons, Colorado prepare for a visual showcase of beauty and grandeur up into the Rocky Mountain region. Along the way into Lyons, Colorado you will experience wildlife, spectacular nature views and many opportunities for outdoor activities for visitors.
Here are some suggestions for hikes and outdoor activities within the surrounding areas of Lyons:
If you love hiking, you can explore the trails in the Roosevelt National Forest, which encompasses more than 800,000 acres of land and offers scenic views of mountains, lakes, forests, and wildlife. Some of the popular trails in the forest are Coulson Gulch Trail, Hall Ranch Loop Trail, Bitterbrush Trail, and Nelson Loop Trail.
You can also visit the Button Rock Preserve, which has over 5 miles of trails along North St. Vrain Creek and offers stunning views of Long's Peak, Mt. Meeker, and Twin Lakes.
If you prefer biking or horseback riding, you can check out the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway, which connects Lyons with Boulder and passes through some of the most scenic landscapes in Colorado.
You can enjoy the views of rolling hills, meadows, forests, and wildlife along this 62-mile route. You can also rent a bike or a horse from one of the local outfitters in Lyons or Boulder.
If you are looking for some water fun, you can head to Brainard Lake Recreation Area near Lyons, which has a sandy beach, a boat ramp, a fishing pier, and a playground. You can swim, kayak, canoe, or paddleboard on the lake or relax on the shore.
You can also visit Antelope Creek Reservoir near Denver, which is about an hour drive from Lyons. This reservoir is home to many fish species and offers fishing opportunities for trout and bass.
If you are interested in history and culture, you can visit some of the national parks and monuments near Lyons that showcase the rich heritage of Colorado.
Some of these places are:
Rocky Mountain National Park: This park is one of the most visited national parks in America and features majestic peaks, alpine lakes, meadows, forests, and wildlife. You can hike on some of the famous trails such as Trail Ridge Road (the highest paved road in North America), Bear Lake Trail (a 3-mile round trip to a turquoise lake), or Flattop Mountain Trail (a challenging climb to a summit with panoramic views).
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park: This park preserves one of the deepest canyons in North America that was carved by erosion over millions of years.
You can admire the dramatic scenery from various viewpoints along Rim Rock Drive or hike on some of the trails such as Balanced Rock Trail (a 0.5-mile round trip to a rock formation that balances on edge), Rainbow Falls Trail (a 1-mile round trip to a waterfall), or South Rim Trail (a 4-mile round trip to another viewpoint).
Dinosaur National Monument: This monument preserves two sites where dinosaurs once roamed: Dinosaur National Monument in Utah and Dinosaur National Monument in Colorado. In Utah, you can see fossils embedded in red sandstone cliffs at Fruita Dinosaur Quarry State Park or visit Fruita Museum & Visitor Center to learn more about paleontology. In Colorado, you can see dinosaur tracks at Dinosaur Tracks State Park near Cortez or visit Dinosaur Ridge Visitor Center to see exhibits on dinosaurs.
Lyons Co via Highway 84. Here are some possible stops:
Morrison, Colorado: This is a charming town at the bottom of Bear Creek Canyon, famous for the natural outdoor concert venue, Red Rocks Amphitheatre. You can enjoy the views of rolling hills, meadows, forests, and wildlife along the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway, or visit the Colorado Railroad Museum to see historic trains and artifacts⁵. You can also explore the town's restaurants, shops, and antique stores.
Abiquiu, New Mexico: This is a small village that was home to the renowned artist Georgia O'Keeffe. You can tour her home and studio, or visit the nearby Ghost Ranch, where she painted many of her landscapes. You can also hike the hoodoos of Plaza Blanca, a stunning white sandstone formation owned by the Dar al-Islam Education Center. Abiquiu Lake is another attraction, offering fishing, boating, and swimming.
Poshuouinge Pueblo, New Mexico: This is an ancestral Tewa Pueblo about 2.5 miles south of Abiquiu on US-84. It was built around 1400 on top of a high mesa, overlooking the Rio Chama. You can see the ruins of the pueblo, which had about 700 rooms and a great kiva, and learn about the history and culture of the Tewa people.
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