Written by the Tellus Outdoor Team
Fort Collins, Colorado
Last updated: September 2026
Fort Collins is an outdoor lover's playground, with hiking, mountain biking, paddling, road biking, snowshoeing and more all within easy reach of town. From Coyote Ridge and Horsetooth Mountain to Cameron Pass and the Poudre Canyon, these are 10 of our favorite outdoor places and activities around Fort Collins.
We’re a Colorado outdoor brand based in Fort Collins, so getting outside around Northern Colorado is part of our everyday life. These aren't just places we found on a list, they're trails, parks, reservoirs and mountain destinations our team actually enjoys.
Why trust this list?
The Tellus team lives, works and gets outside in Northern Colorado. We created this guide based on our own local experiences, favorite adventures and the places we return to again and again.
Coyote Ridge Natural Area
Best for: Hiking, trail running, mountain biking
Difficulty: Easy to strenuous
Distance from Fort Collins: ~10 minutes
What we love: Panoramic Front Range views and the prairie dog town
This trail is 4.1 miles total (out and back) and climbs about 600 feet up a Dakota sandstone hogback and has the most incredible panoramic views at the top. We love this hike because once you reach the top you can see the Front Range, the eastern plains and Cheyenne Ridge. The first half is family friendly up to a shaded cabin and restrooms. From there the steeper second half is popular with trail runners, hikers and mountain bikers. Aside from the view at the top, the best part of this hike is the prairie dog town with all of the prairie dogs squeaking at you as you pass by.
What to wear: Foothills Recycled Flannel (Women’s | Men’s) for changing temperatures and Trail Ridge Trek Pants (Women’s | Men’s) for hiking.
Best for: Hiking, mountain biking
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Distance from Fort Collins: ~5 minutes
What we love: Broad views of Horsetooth Reservoir all of Fort Collins
This is a popular trail for a quick hike or mountain bike ride during lunch, after work and on weekends. It attracts hikers, dog walkers and mountain bikers. We love it for its views of Horsetooth Reservoir to the west and Fort Collins to the east. It’s a great trail to show off the area to your friends and family from out of town. Maxwell is also part of CSU's local outdoor culture, with incoming students hiking the trail during Rams Welcome week.
What to wear: Sunset Ridge Performance Shorts (Women’s | Men’s) for comfortable movement and Poudre Trail Performance Long Sleeve (Women’s | Men’s) for cooler treks.
Best for: Hiking
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Distance from Fort Collins: ~20 minutes
What we love: Quick escape to stunning views
This is a beautiful area to explore just west of Loveland off Highway 34. It features easy hiking and incredible views of 100-million-year-old vertical Dakota sandstone hogback ridges, blooming wildflowers, wildlife and birds of prey. We love that it’s a convenient quick escape into nature.
What to wear: Women’s Horsetooth Performance Hoodie and Men’s Poudre Trail Performance Full-Zip for cool mornings and evenings.
Best for: Bicycling, walking, road biking
Difficulty: Easy
Distance from Fort Collins: ~1-2 minutes
What we love: Unlimited options for bicycling around town
It blows us away when we think about it — Fort Collins has 285 miles of amazing, paved trails! You can ride all around town, check out breweries, City Park, Old Town, CSU and ride to Laporte, Loveland, Timnath, Windsor and Greeley all on paved trails. Pick your mileage for the day and easily map a ride along the Poudre River, to beautiful parks and along the foothills. We love riding these trails and that Fort Collins is truly a bicycling wonderland.
What to wear: Trail Ridge Trek Shorts (Women’s | Men’s) are a comfortable length for biking and the Timberline Soft Shell (Women’s | Men’s) keeps you dry and warm when it’s cool and wet.
City of Estes Park
Best for: Shopping, dining, exploring
Difficulty: Easy
Distance from Fort Collins: ~1 hour 10 minutes
What we love: Stunning views, small mountain town vibes, scenic drive
We love this little mountain town! It’s a great day-trip destination or must-stop on your way to Rocky Mountain National Park. Fun shops, yummy restaurants and incredible views make Estes a place that never gets boring. We love that’s it’s only an hour drive away from Fort Collins through a stunning canyon. Estes is famous for the Stanley Hotel and elk wandering freely through town.
What to wear: We love our Trail Ridge Trek Pants (Women’s | Men’s) for wandering, walking and hiking and our Front Range Fleece (Women’s | Men’s) is perfect for higher elevations and cooler temps.
Best for: Hiking, wildlife watching, trail running
Difficulty: Strenuous
Distance from Fort Collins: ~30 minutes
What we love: Good workout, close to town
This trail is kind of a rite of passage for anyone living in Northern Colorado. We love that it’s only 11 miles outside of Fort Collins following the Poudre Canyon along Hwy 14. Bring plenty of water because there is none available along the trail. The trek is either 3.1 miles to summit (~6.2 miles round trip) via Greyrock Trail or 4.3 miles to summit (~8.6 miles round trip) via Greyrock Meadows Trail. Then you have to hike back to your car so plan for a strenuous workout.
What to wear: Women’s Sunset Ridge Performance Legging and Men’s Sunset Performance Jogger are our go to for strenuous adventures in fall and winter.
Horsetooth ReservoiBest for: Paddleboarding, boating, camping
Difficulty: Easy
Distance from Fort Collins: ~10 minutes
What we love: Beautiful water, boat-free zone
Just on the west edge of town is this glorious body of water. It’s a quick escape for camping and boating and it’s the perfect place to paddleboard. During high season, Satanka Cove is closed to motorized vehicles so paddleboarders have a secluded space to get away and enjoy the water. We love this cove so much that we named our sun shirts after it!
What to wear: Satanka Cove Long Sleeve Sun Shirts (Women’s | Men’s) and Satanka Cove Sun Shirt Hoodies (Women’s | Men’s) are must-have sun protection clothes for paddleboarding and every adventure under the sun.
Best for: Hiking, mountain biking, trail running
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
Distance from Fort Collins: ~10 minutes
What we love: Great workout, amazing views
Hiking up to Horsetooth Rock along the Horsetooth Mountain Trail is another must-do pursuit when you live in or visit Fort Collins. A strenuous hike through beautiful terrain, this trail puts you at the top of the area and delivers incredible Front Range views. We love this 5-mile round trip hike and get a great workout every time.
What to wear: Reach peaks comfortably wearing Sunset Ridge Performance Shorts (Women’s | Men’s) and rely on sun protection clothing when you wear a Women’s Satanka Cove Tank or Men’s Satanka Cove Long Sleeve Sun Shirt.
Lory State Best for: Hiking, mountain biking, trail running
Difficulty: Easy, moderate and strenuous options
Distance from Fort Collins: ~20 minutes
What we love: Rolling trails, valleys, climbs and water views
This mountain park is a trail runner, mountain biker and hiker paradise. It’s over 28 miles of trails lead through beautiful forest, meadows and rock formations. A variety of trails are available from easy to difficult across valleys and up hillsides. One of our favorite hikes is the 3.6 mile round trip Arthur’s rock trail. We love the view from the top of Horsetooth Reservoir and the surrounding area.
What to wear: Trail Ridge Trek Shorts (Women’s | Men’s) are comfortable for biking and hiking. The Women’s Poudre Trail Performance Tank and Men’s Poudre Trail Performance Short Sleeve let you work up a sweat in comfort.
Best for: Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, day trip
Difficulty: Easy, moderate and strenuous options
Distance from Fort Collins: ~1 hour 35 minutes
What we love: Wilderness area, winter recreation, scenic drive
This is our favorite winter wonderland where we love to cross-country ski and snowshoe. It’s located 64 miles west of Fort Collins on Hwy 14. The drive there alone is worth it, but the outdoor fun once you get there is incredible. We love this area because it’s not crowded and once you head down the trail away from your car you feel like it’s just you and the mountains. It’s another destination we love so much we named our parka after it.
What to wear: When it’s cold out our Cameron Pass Parka (Women’s | Men’s) can’t be beat for warmth and comfort. And our Byers Peak Recycled Down Jacket (Women’s | Men’s) is the only puffer we recommend for winter adventures.
Best Outdoor Adventures Near Fort Collins by Activity
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For hiking: Coyote Ridge, Greyrock, Horsetooth Mountain
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For mountain biking: Lory, Maxwell, Coyote Ridge
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For paddleboarding: Horsetooth Reservoir
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For road biking: Fort Collins paved trail network
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For winter recreation: Cameron Pass
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For a day trip: Estes Park
Best Outdoor Activities Around Fort Collins by Season
Spring: Hiking, mountain biking, road biking, wildlife watching
Summer: Hiking, biking, paddleboarding, boating, camping
Fall: Hiking, biking, trail running, scenic drives and wildlife watching
Winter: Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and winter hiking
Before You Head Out
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Check current trail conditions
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Bring more water than you think you'll need
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Prepare for quick-changing weather conditions
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Follow posted parking regulations
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Monitor seasonal closures
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Keep dogs leashed where required
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Check wildfire restrictions during fire season
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Bring sun protection at higher elevations
FAQs
What are the best outdoor activities in Fort Collins?
Fort Collins offers hiking, mountain biking, road biking, paddleboarding, boating, camping, trail running, wildlife watching, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
What are the best hikes near Fort Collins?
Popular hiking destinations include Coyote Ridge Natural Area, Horsetooth Mountain, Greyrock Trail, Lory State Park and Devil's Backbone Open Space.
Where can you paddleboard near Fort Collins?
Horsetooth Reservoir is one of the most convenient places near Fort Collins for paddleboarding, with several areas around the reservoir offering access to the water.
What are the best winter activities near Fort Collins?
Cameron Pass is a favorite destination for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, while several trails closer to town can be enjoyed year-round depending on conditions.
What outdoor activities are good for visitors to Fort Collins?
Visitors can explore the city's paved trail network, hike Horsetooth Mountain or Coyote Ridge, paddleboard at Horsetooth Reservoir, visit Lory State Park or take a day trip to Estes Park.
What should I wear for outdoor activities in Fort Collins?
Weather can change quickly along the Front Range, so versatile layers are useful. Lightweight performance layers, sun-protective shirts, comfortable hiking pants or shorts and an insulating or weather-resistant layer can help you adapt throughout the day.
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