Video
Trail Snapshot
Trail Surface:
Hardpack single trackDistance:
Around 15 miles of bike trailOutdoor Travels Rating:
2.5 out of 5 bikesThumbs Up
- Convenience to Fort Collins
- Nice scenery
- Trails suited for cross country types
- BIke park is cool and a nice touch
- Plenty of access via numerous trailheads
Thumbs Down
- Not many miles available
- Trails suited for cross country types
- One of the main trails was closed during this review
- Not much shade
Lessons Learned
- Don't expect too much
- Put your true XC face on
Nuts & Bolts
Location:
Just west of Fort Collins, Colorado
Trailheads and Directions:
From North Fort Collins
Take US 287 north to County Road 54G (LaPorte). Go through the town of LaPorte and turn left onto County Road 52E. Turn left again at County Road 23N, go 1.4 miles and take a right on County Road 25G. Drive another 1.6 miles to the park entrance.
From South Fort Collins
Take Harmony Rd / 38E west. Turn right onto 23N. Proceed north until t-intersection. Turn left at stop sign onto 42C. Proceed north until 25G, turn left. Go 1.6 miles to the park entrance.
Activities:
Mountain biking, walking, trail jogging, backcountry camping, boating, kayaking, camping, fishing, horseback riding, hunting, rock climbing
Admission:
Small fee. Please check their website for current rates.
Contact:
Maps and Stuff
Trail Map
Useful Links
Trail photos
Lots of great photos to give you a good idea of what riding here is like!
Entry station
Riding open single track
Scenery
Trail and rocks
A small piece of technical track
Bridge and scenery
More nice scenery
Riding along
Mountain Biking
Lory State Park
Fort Collins, Colorado
Nice scenery and a few miles of trail
Dana Farnsworth, Outdoor Travels
As I returned to the main entrance parking lot after a short ride, I was happy to not have been a snack for a mountain lion - there were plenty of warning signs. That would be the high point of the day. Don't get me wrong, I had a great ride, saw some great scenery, and enjoyed myself, but I have to say that I was hoping for a little more. A little more riding (there are approximately 16 miles of trail for mountain bikers, and on this day, one of the main trails was closed); a little more technical riding (the trails overall are pretty clear and of easy to moderate difficulty); and a little more shade. Nothing more fun than bombing through a forest.
All is not bad though. Lory State Park is a nice place to escape from the town and roll a few dirt miles. It's only 20 minutes from Fort Collins. It also links to the nearby Mill Creek Trail in Horsetooth Mountain Open Space, which can add to the length of a ride. There is even a Mountain Bike Park in Lory State Park that features a pump track, jumps and a couple of raised plank rides for fun. Overall, when you factor in the pretty scenery and easy access, Lory deserves a solid average rating - not spectacular, not suck. In other words, I wouldn't travel to ride this park, but I would for sure check it out if I was visiting the Fort Collins area for other reasons.
Official Description
Hit the trail at Lory State Park and enjoy mountain biking, hiking and horseback riding amid some fabulous foothills scenery just minutes from Fort Collins and adjacent to Horsetooth Reservoir. From rolling valleys to mountainous hillsides, Lory State Park's 20 miles of trails rarely exceed a 12 percent grade. The variety of trails is great for short or long hikes, mountain bike rides, horseback rides and jogs. Backcountry camping is also available for visitors looking for a quiet getaway close to suburban Fort Collins. The trails on the east side of Lory provide access to some of Horsetooth Reservoir’s bays and coves. Canoeists, kayakers, and rafters can hand-launch their crafts within a short walk from the North Eltuck Bay parking lot. Power boaters can launch their boats at the Horsetooth Dam boat ramp 2 miles away in Horsetooth Reservoir. Power boating is also available at the nearby Boyd Lake State Park. Boaters and off-highway vehicle users can now register boats, OHVs and snowmobiles at Lory State Park during visitor center business hours.
