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After dropping my sister off at CSU, I decided to find a hiking trail here to get some exercise in and take in some views. If you don't know about AllTrails I definitely recommend it to anyone that loves finding new hikes. On the way up to the parking lot I passed Horsetooth Reservoir which is stunning. The water is beautifully blue and would be a great place to camp and get out on the water. The parking lot for the Horsetooth Falls loop and rock loop is decently sized. I visited on a Monday morning around 10 and there was plenty of parking, but I assume that it is more packed on weekends or later in the day. I took the Horsetooth Falls out and back trail which was about 3 miles round trip. The views were filled with trees and rocks. You can see a small part of Horsetooth Reservoir at the beginning of the hike which I thought was cool. The out and back trail wasn't too busy, but I did come across several other groups passing through. The Horsetooth Rock trail is less busy as it is the longer hike and more difficult. Everyone was friendly and there to enjoy the outdoors. The trail is mostly in the sun the whole time, but there are some opportunities for shade as you go along. This hike is not for those looking for a leisurely walk or flat land. It's pretty rocky and has several inclines and declines, which can be hard on the knees. Unfortunately coming to the end of the trail, there was no falls which I didn't think about this time of year. However, that only gives me a reason to come back and take this trail again.
Great little dog friendly hike! The best part of it is the drive! The scenic view of the reservoir are the best! Make sure you are not driving because you will be craving your neck. Drive safe! The hike is nice and easy even kids do it. The upkeep is awesome for a park. Clean trails and bathrooms that don't make you want to barf.
Horsetooth mountain open space is a nice county park that is close to town. There are several trails available though they do not all start at the same parking lot. If you want trail specifics you could try looking at all trails. then you can see the information about each specific hike. There are not a lot of trees along any of the trails in this county park. if you go in the spring you can catch some pretty awesome views of wildflowers though. it can offer a sea of them. Cost to park for 24 hours is $9 or you can buy a yearly pass for $90. There are iron rangers available and they only take credit card so be sure to bring one with you. However DONT LEAVE IT IN YOUR CAR. pack it out on your hike with you. parking lot thefts are common at almost any hike in northern colorado depending on the season...... there is a fair amount of parking and weekends are always going to be tough unless you arrive early. i believe some of the lots have parking lot cams that you can check out if there is space there before you go. Rangers WILL ticket you if you illegally park. so be sure that you park in a parking space. There tend to be a lot of people out on these trails especially horsetooth rock and horsetooth falls. there have always been a lot but since covid there has been a high influx. If you are wanting a quiet nature hike this is not the place to go. you will most likely be encountering people. however usually its not so many you can not eventually space out and have some room. Be sure to bring water. hot summer days and no shade is not necessarily a good combination. the bathrooms are open at the trailhead however the water fountains are not. or least were not last time i went because of covid. If you have dogs if you go up towers road trail and then off one of the side trails and then finish up on shoreline. they can go take a swim in the lake. if you need a easier hike, shoreline over to the lory border and then back to the parking lot is around 5 miles. it has less elevation and also the lake that you will pass. though the water levels have dropped significantly and you will have to walk over where the lake was which is now mud to actually get to the water. in addition to hiking you can also mountain bike or you could go boating on horsetooth lake or swimming at the beach on horsetooth. there is a great paddle board rental places there. your day pass or yearly pass will be good to park near the lake as well. we have spent several happy days this summer paddle boarding and kayaking at the lake. Horsetooth is a lovely area. it is not my all time favorite in northern colorado but its a great place to go if i only have a few hours and want to go spend some time in nature. dogs are allowed here but they need to be on leash. Also they do have poop bags usually available at the trail head please pack out what you pack in. there are trash cans readily available at all teh trail heads there is no reason to leave trash behind for others to pick up ;) also just a friendly reminder, uphill has the right of way when you are out hiking. happy trails!
Very glad Fort Collins was built around this area and how accessible it is from the city. Great views and a 6 ish mile round trip hike to the peak of horsetooth rock. Even in winter, this is a great hike.
My first mountain climb/ hike! This was doable for a beginner. It was tiring at times, but I did not have trouble With elevation. Went during the end of December. Very beautiful there. Give yourself plenty of time to get up and down, especially for beginners. It took me about 3 hours.
I did a morning hike here without knowing what to expect. Such a beautiful park with some gorgeous trails. Pretty easy to navigate as well. We originally wanted to do a longer hike that looped around but a part of the trail was pure ice, forcing us to do an out and back instead. I wish they maintained it a little more. Regardless, good for anyone of a reasonably active fitness level.
My wife and I really enjoyed hiking here during our vacation. We came on Friday and Saturday mornings around 7 each morning. The place wasn't super busy. We spent a couple hours each day wondering the trails. Very beautiful views. The maps available are very handy to figure out which route to take. The parking is $9 for 24 hours, so $4.50 a day for us. We would really enjoy coming back and enjoying the views again.
We went for the little hike up to the top of the waterfall and back on a Friday morning. A great little work out if you're from out of town and not used to the elevation . The hike was beautiful despite the waterfall being dry and not too crowded on a weekday morning! Dogs are allowed! Parking is $8 so be sure to bring cash.
Horsetooth Mountain Open Space is one of my favorite local places to hike. It's super accessible, has a variety of trails, and is very well kept. It's great for moonlight hiking as well given its wide trails with minimal obstacles. If you want to avoid the crowds and enjoy some serene views, I recommend hiking Horsetooth with the sunrise.
Wonderful trail with a lovely waterfall at the end. Trail was moderately easy and would work well for active older adults and children. Dogs allowed. I recommend going to both the top of the falls and to the bottom. Relatively short trail at just a couple miles I think.
Great place for a moderate hike. The hike is about 5 miles. It had a bit of an incline but for the most part it was pretty flat. We found it pretty enjoyable. We brought sandwiches to enjoy half way up the hike. We were able to find a nice rock that provided a great view to enjoy the sandwiches. I highly recommend it if you're looking for a quick hike. It will probably take around 1-3 hours depending on how fast you are going and how many stops you make.
What a great place for hiking! I'm from near Boulder, so getting in the car and driving an hour up the front range just to hike,we'll, we have hiking here too. But I was very impressed with the size and scope of this mountain park! Sitting right next to Lory State Park, you can really get a lot of distance done on these trails. It's a nominal fee to park, and there's maps and bathrooms at the trailhead. I found there to be parking much of the day. However, the waterfall attracts many folks on weekends. I would start with an ascent of Horsetooth Mountain, if you feel able. Even if you can't get all the way up, the views get better and better. There's lots of side trails to customize your adventure. However, don't get lost! The final few steps on the peak are a big rock scramble, so be careful! It's worth it though. I then went down to the cove and had a nice private lunch. Plenty of bikers use the trails on the lower half, so be aware. I found hiking before 10 am was best, and encountered few bikers out that early. This was a fantastic place to hike, and I got nearly 15 miles down. There's a beautiful section on the Stout Trail, and it leads down to a cool waterfall, so I'd definitely at least recommend that section! read more
An amazing and challenging outdoors experience not too far from town. A harder hike with a bit of a challenge to get up to the peak of horsetooth, but definitely doable with amazing views ! Parking: We went on Monday morning and there was plenty of parking. That being said, I can see how the parking lot would be full on a busier day or the weekend. Facilities: There are toilets and water fountains in the parking lot, as well as maps and a covered picnic table. There is a apy station at the entry to the hike as well. There is a bug posted map as well as some paler maps for you to take. Hikes: There seemed to be 2 major hikes according to the posted map. You can hike to the falls but make sure to check if they have water ahead of time. Since there wasn't water when we went, we opted for only doing the hike up to horse tooth itself. The trails are very clearly marked which is really appreciated! Each trail is marked by a color and there are colored arrows showing you which way to go on your chosen path. The hike up to horsetooth itself can be strenuous! Not being used to the elevation should definitely be something taken into consideration if you're new to the area. It's consistently uphill for the first half (and downhill for the 2nd half of course). The views are absolutely amazing the whole way with a great look over the huge reservoir! You may also run into some wildlife - we passed by some very calm deer right on the trail and met some very cute chipmunks who came right to us. There's also some benches along the trail to take a break and take in the views. Once you get to the top of the trail, you can climb to the top of horse tooth - and I mean climb! You definitely don't have to have rock climbing experience but you do need to be ready to use hands and feet to get up there. This trail is dog friendly and you will run into people with dogs. Leashes are required. read more
Having made it a mission to chase waterfalls throughout the state of Colorado, Horsetooth Falls was next on my list. So this past Thursday Marissa C., my pup, and I made our way to Horsetooth Mountain Open Space to check that off our adventure bucket-list. STAR #1: The trailhead! I don't think I've seen a trailhead with nearly as many amenities that wasn't part of a National/State Park. From vaulted toilets, water fountains (for people and dogs alike), maps and trail information, shoe brush to help clean off mud/stickers, and most impressive of it all a credit card kiosk to pay your parking fees! Yay! STAR #2: Here to hike? Great! Here to bike? You got it! Bring your dog? Keep your four legged friend on a leash and your good to go! Want to ride your horse? Sure - you can do that on a few trails! The only mode of transportation they don't allow is motorized. So go ahead and do what "moves" you! STAR #3: Campsites! Yeah, you read that right; Horsetooth Mountain Open Space offers hike in backcountry campsites for those looking to really get away from it all! Just make sure to get appropriate permits, leave no trace, and adhere to all closures/restrictions. STAR #4: The destinations! Horsetooth Falls was the main objective for our adventure, and it did not disappoint. There are additional trails that will take hikers to Horestooth Rock, Soderburg Ranch Homestead, Devil's Backbone, Horsetooth Reservoir, and more! Not to mention the trails to each offer great views, streams, and (depending on when you hit the trail) an abundance of wildflowers! Horsetooth Mountain Open Space definitely made a great place to spend our morning. I can't wait to come back and check out more of the trails they have to offer! **Pro Tip: You can check out the trails offered on the CO Trex app; so you know distances, trail types, and conditions before you go! Definitely makes it more enjoyable to know what you're getting yourself into. read more
After dropping my sister off at CSU, I decided to find a hiking trail here to get some exercise in and take in some views. If you don't know about AllTrails I definitely recommend it to anyone that loves finding new hikes. On the way up to the parking lot I passed Horsetooth Reservoir which is stunning. The water is beautifully blue and would be a great place to camp and get out on the water. The parking lot for the Horsetooth Falls loop and rock loop is decently sized. I visited on a Monday morning around 10 and there was plenty of parking, but I assume that it is more packed on weekends or later in the day. I took the Horsetooth Falls out and back trail which was about 3 miles round trip. The views were filled with trees and rocks. You can see a small part of Horsetooth Reservoir at the beginning of the hike which I thought was cool. The out and back trail wasn't too busy, but I did come across several other groups passing through. The Horsetooth Rock trail is less busy as it is the longer hike and more difficult. Everyone was friendly and there to enjoy the outdoors. The trail is mostly in the sun the whole time, but there are some opportunities for shade as you go along. This hike is not for those looking for a leisurely walk or flat land. It's pretty rocky and has several inclines and declines, which can be hard on the knees. Unfortunately coming to the end of the trail, there was no falls which I didn't think about this time of year. However, that only gives me a reason to come back and take this trail again. read more
Great little dog friendly hike! The best part of it is the drive! The scenic view of the reservoir are the best! Make sure you are not driving because you will be craving your neck. Drive safe! The hike is nice and easy even kids do it. The upkeep is awesome for a park. Clean trails and bathrooms that don't make you want to barf. read more
6 years ago
Horsetooth mountain open space is a nice county park that is close to town. There are several trails available though they do not all start at the same parking lot. If you want trail specifics you could try looking at all trails. then you can see the information about each specific hike. There are not a lot of trees along any of the trails in this county park. if you go in the spring you can catch some pretty awesome views of wildflowers though. it can offer a sea of them. Cost to park for 24 hours is $9 or you can buy a yearly pass for $90. There are iron rangers available and they only take credit card so be sure to bring one with you. However DONT LEAVE IT IN YOUR CAR. pack it out on your hike with you. parking lot thefts are common at almost any hike in northern colorado depending on the season...... there is a fair amount of parking and weekends are always going to be tough unless you arrive early. i believe some of the lots have parking lot cams that you can check out if there is space there before you go. Rangers WILL ticket you if you illegally park. so be sure that you park in a parking space. There tend to be a lot of people out on these trails especially horsetooth rock and horsetooth falls. there have always been a lot but since covid there has been a high influx. If you are wanting a quiet nature hike this is not the place to go. you will most likely be encountering people. however usually its not so many you can not eventually space out and have some room. Be sure to bring water. hot summer days and no shade is not necessarily a good combination. the bathrooms are open at the trailhead however the water fountains are not. or least were not last time i went because of covid. If you have dogs if you go up towers road trail and then off one of the side trails and then finish up on shoreline. they can go take a swim in the lake. if you need a easier hike, shoreline over to the lory border and then back to the parking lot is around 5 miles. it has less elevation and also the lake that you will pass. though the water levels have dropped significantly and you will have to walk over where the lake was which is now mud to actually get to the water. in addition to hiking you can also mountain bike or you could go boating on horsetooth lake or swimming at the beach on horsetooth. there is a great paddle board rental places there. your day pass or yearly pass will be good to park near the lake as well. we have spent several happy days this summer paddle boarding and kayaking at the lake. Horsetooth is a lovely area. it is not my all time favorite in northern colorado but its a great place to go if i only have a few hours and want to go spend some time in nature. dogs are allowed here but they need to be on leash. Also they do have poop bags usually available at the trail head please pack out what you pack in. there are trash cans readily available at all teh trail heads there is no reason to leave trash behind for others to pick up ;) also just a friendly reminder, uphill has the right of way when you are out hiking. happy trails! read more
5 years ago
Very glad Fort Collins was built around this area and how accessible it is from the city. Great views and a 6 ish mile round trip hike to the peak of horsetooth rock. Even in winter, this is a great hike. read more
3 years ago
7 years ago
My first mountain climb/ hike! This was doable for a beginner. It was tiring at times, but I did not have trouble With elevation. Went during the end of December. Very beautiful there. Give yourself plenty of time to get up and down, especially for beginners. It took me about 3 hours. read more
I did a morning hike here without knowing what to expect. Such a beautiful park with some gorgeous trails. Pretty easy to navigate as well. We originally wanted to do a longer hike that looped around but a part of the trail was pure ice, forcing us to do an out and back instead. I wish they maintained it a little more. Regardless, good for anyone of a reasonably active fitness level. read more
My wife and I really enjoyed hiking here during our vacation. We came on Friday and Saturday mornings around 7 each morning. The place wasn't super busy. We spent a couple hours each day wondering the trails. Very beautiful views. The maps available are very handy to figure out which route to take. The parking is $9 for 24 hours, so $4.50 a day for us. We would really enjoy coming back and enjoying the views again. read more
We went for the little hike up to the top of the waterfall and back on a Friday morning. A great little work out if you're from out of town and not used to the elevation . The hike was beautiful despite the waterfall being dry and not too crowded on a weekday morning! Dogs are allowed! Parking is $8 so be sure to bring cash. read more
6 years ago
Horsetooth Mountain Open Space is one of my favorite local places to hike. It's super accessible, has a variety of trails, and is very well kept. It's great for moonlight hiking as well given its wide trails with minimal obstacles. If you want to avoid the crowds and enjoy some serene views, I recommend hiking Horsetooth with the sunrise. read more
11 years ago
Wonderful trail with a lovely waterfall at the end. Trail was moderately easy and would work well for active older adults and children. Dogs allowed. I recommend going to both the top of the falls and to the bottom. Relatively short trail at just a couple miles I think. read more
Great place for a moderate hike. The hike is about 5 miles. It had a bit of an incline but for the most part it was pretty flat. We found it pretty enjoyable. We brought sandwiches to enjoy half way up the hike. We were able to find a nice rock that provided a great view to enjoy the sandwiches. I highly recommend it if you're looking for a quick hike. It will probably take around 1-3 hours depending on how fast you are going and how many stops you make. read more
7 years ago
10 years ago
Lots of trails to explore - this trip just did the Horestooth Falls hike. It was labeled easy but there were sections I would say are moderate. Lots of families out. Not much shade on the trail. The fall was tricking - heard the time to view is spring. Used our pass to then head to reservoir - note it's $1 cheaper to buy at open space and pass is good til next day at noon at reservoir and open space. read more
7 years ago
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More info about Horsetooth Mountain Open Space
6550 W County Rd 38 E
Fort Collins, CO 80526
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https://www.larimer.org
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9 years ago
