Things to do

Trail Our pick

The Front Range’s best-known mountain-bike climb and a fine hike…The Front Range’s best-known mountain-bike climb and a fine hike: the Bitterbrush trail gains about 1,500 feet to the Nelson Loop through ponderosa meadows.

Trail

A gentle two-mile walk along the North St. Vrain to Longmont’s reservoir dam…A gentle two-mile walk along the North St. Vrain to Longmont’s reservoir dam, with the Sleepy Lion trail above it for a loop.

Trail

Nineteen miles of trail south of town; the Picture Rock trail runs from the Lyons side up to the ranch and…Nineteen miles of trail south of town; the Picture Rock trail runs from the Lyons side up to the ranch and links to Wild Turkey and Wapiti for a long loop.

Trail

The low, dry, early-season option north-east of town, with the big view back to Longs Peak…The low, dry, early-season option north-east of town, with the big view back to Longs Peak. Leashed dogs welcome.

Trail

The flat in-town path that links Sandstone Park, the Depot and LaVern M. Johnson Park without crossing the…The flat in-town path that links Sandstone Park, the Depot and LaVern M. Johnson Park without crossing the highway, plus the south bank to Bohn Park.

Trail

The town’s summer sport: a float from the Apple Valley Road bridge through the whitewater park when the gauge…The town’s summer sport: a float from the Apple Valley Road bridge through the whitewater park when the gauge reads between about 40 and 300 cfs, usually July and August. The Town closes tubing above 450 cfs.

Park Our pick

The park under the cliffs: the whitewater park, a splash pad, playgrounds, the Town campground and…The park under the cliffs: the whitewater park, a splash pad, playgrounds, the Town campground and, in a cold January, an outdoor ice rink.

Park

Ball fields, a dog park, an accessible fishing platform and the trailhead for the dirt-jump bike park…Ball fields, a dog park, an accessible fishing platform and the trailhead for the dirt-jump bike park, across the river from Main Street.

Park

The downtown green with the visitor center, the summer concert stage and the 1885 Depot beside it.The downtown green with the visitor center, the summer concert stage and the 1885 Depot beside it.

Venue Our pick

Six blocks of locally quarried red sandstone buildings from the 1870s to 1917…Six blocks of locally quarried red sandstone buildings from the 1870s to 1917, fifteen of them on the National Register, and most still in everyday use.

Venue Our pick

The 20-acre riverside ranch that hosts RockyGrass and the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival…The 20-acre riverside ranch that hosts RockyGrass and the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival, plus the Wildflower Pavilion concerts through the year.

Venue

A pinball hall with dozens of machines and a monthly tournament.A pinball hall with dozens of machines and a monthly tournament.

Venue

Local history in the 1881 sandstone schoolhouse, run by the Lyons Historical Society since 1979. Free…Local history in the 1881 sandstone schoolhouse, run by the Lyons Historical Society since 1979. Free; open in the summer season.

Venue

The library district’s 2019 building: books, meeting rooms…The library district’s 2019 building: books, meeting rooms, programs most days and the Effie Banta Room for public meetings.

Venue

Planet Bluegrass's indoor concert hall on the ranch at the west end of Main: seated shows in spring and fall…Planet Bluegrass's indoor concert hall on the ranch at the west end of Main: seated shows in spring and fall, a bar, and the festivals' second stage in summer.

Lodging Our pick

Twenty-plus tiny homes on the St. Vrain, a short walk from Main Street and next door to Planet Bluegrass.Twenty-plus tiny homes on the St. Vrain, a short walk from Main Street and next door to Planet Bluegrass.

Lodging

Adventure lodge on Main Street downtown, across from Oskar Blues…Adventure lodge on Main Street downtown, across from Oskar Blues, with Fourmile Creek running through it and the Rock Garden bar on site.

Lodging

Town-run riverside camping five minutes from Main Street: RV sites with hookups year-round…Town-run riverside camping five minutes from Main Street: RV sites with hookups year-round, tent sites mid-April to mid-October.

Lodging

Motel rooms and cabins on the road to Estes Park, with a seasonal pool.Motel rooms and cabins on the road to Estes Park, with a seasonal pool.