LORY STATE PARK

Hidden in the foothills twenty minutes west of Fort Collins, Lory State Park has it all! Its 2,400 acres provide for a variety of activities such as hiking, picnicking, mountain biking, horseback riding, backcountry camping and wildlife viewing. The park offers terrain suitable for any getaway, from an afternoon to a weekend. There are unique rock outcroppings, sandstone hogbacks, grassy open meadows, shrubby hillsides and ponderosa pine forests. Overlooking the Fort Collins area from a breathtaking elevation of 6,780 feet is Arthur's Rock, a jutting granite formation named for an early settler.

Formerly ranchland, Lory State Park was purchased in 1967. It was named and dedicated in honor of Dr. Charles A. Lory (1872-1969), president of Colorado State University from 1909 until 1940. Please call (970) 493-1623 for more information about the park.

TRAILS

Varying from rolling valleys to mountainous hillsides, Lory's 30 miles of trails rarely exceed a 12 percent grade. The variety of trails makes the park suitable for short or long hikes, mountain bikes, horseback riders and joggers.

During the winter months, Lory's trails provide excellent opportunities for cross-country skiing, sledding and tubing. Snowmobiling is prohibited.

Safe drinking water and restroom facilities are not available on the trails. An adequate water supply should be carried and may be obtained near the park entrance

HORSEBACK RIDING

Lory is one of the premier equestrian centers in the state park system. The Double Diamond Stables provides many activities for the Lory visitor including guided trail rides, surrey and hay rides, and meal rides. For more information, call the stables at (970) 224-4200. Riders are also welcome to bring their own horses to the park. In addition to the trail system, a cross-country jumping course is located at the south end of the park. Riders using the jumping course should wear helmets and jump with at least one "buddy."

WILDLIFE

Lory's diverse terrain is home to a variety of wildlife, such as mule deer, wild turkey, black bear, mountain lion, coyote, Abert's squirrel, cottontail rabbit, blue grouse, mourning dove, songbirds and many reptile species.

NATURE STUDY

Lory has unlimited possibilities for nature study with an abundance of wildflowers, animals and insects. Guided hikes are available to groups by reservation. Checklists of Lory plants and birds are available at the entrance station.

FIRST AID

First Aid is available at the entrance station, park headquarters, or from any park ranger.

BACKCOUNTRY CAMPING

Lory State Park allows primitive backcountry camping by permit. No other camping is allowed in the park. The sites are approximately two and a half miles from the trailhead and no open fires are allowed. The campsites offer the perfect weekend getaway for you to forget about the hustle and bustle of the city just over the hill.

WATER SPORTS

Horsetooth Reservoir borders Lory to the east and is operated by the Larimer County Parks Department. On the west side, accessible by foot only, there are five coves that offer bass, trout, and walleye fishing. All Colorado fishing regulations apply.

The reservoir also offers boating, water-skiing and many other water activities. For more information about Horsetooth Reservoir, call the Larimer County Parks Department at (970) 226-4517.

HUNTING

Hunting in the park is controlled. Information regarding special closures, seasons and regulations is available at the office or entrance station. Target shooting is prohibited at all times. Hunting is prohibited at the Horsetooth Mountain Park, adjacent to Lory to the south, so be aware of boundary lines.

PICNICKING

Lory offers five picnic areas with a variety of settings. The group picnic area accommodates up to 150 people and has horseshoe pits, a volleyball court, covered tables, grills, a fire ring and restrooms. The group areas, South Eltuck, and Homestead may all be reserved for special events by calling (970) 493-1623. Other sites are available on a first come, first serve basis.

NEARBY FACILITIES

Facilities such as gas, groceries, telephones and lodging are in LaPorte, five miles northeast of Lory. The nearest hospital is in Fort Collins.

A PLACE FOR, EVERYONE

Lory has facilities to accommodate all types of visitors. The restrooms and some picnic areas are suitable for use by the physically challenged.

Please remember the wide variety of users during your visit and observe the "Rules of the Trail": bikers yield to hikers and horseback riders; hikers yield to horseback riders.

PASSES

Visitors to Lory State Park are required to display a current Colorado State Parks Pass on their auto windshield.

A DAILY PASS is valid from the day purchased until noon the following day. An ANNUAL PASS is valid at any state park for the remainder of the calendar year. For annual pass holders who own additional vehicles, a multiple pass is available for an additional fee. A $2.00/per day walk-in fee is required for hikers, bikers and horseback riders. Passes are sold at the park entrance and at the park headquarters.

Colorado residents 62 years of age or older qualify for a special ASPEN LEAF ANNUAL PASS, available at a discounted rate. This pass allows admission to all state parks every day. Colorado Disabled Veterans who display Colorado Disabled Veteran (DV) license plates are admitted free to all state parks without a pass.

IN THE WILD

Lory is an island for wildlife in an area that is developing rapidly. As visitors, we should respect their homes. Most animals such as mountain lions, black bears, golden eagles and rattlesnakes are reclusive and would prefer not to come into contact withpeople. For more information about chance encounters with wildlife, ask for brochures and suggestions at the entrance station.

PARK OFFICE

To reach the park office, travel north from the entrance 300 yards, turn right and follow the road. Information about the park and assistance are available at the entrance station or park office, (970) 493-1623.

HELP PROTECT OUR NATURAL RESOURCES

Lory State Park is for your enjoyment. In the interest of safety and the preservation of your park, please observe the following regulations.

Place your trash in the receptacles provided. Litter can be dangerous to people and wildlife.
Keep ALL vehicles on designated roads or parking areas. Off-road driving can damage the resources and wildlife habitat as well as scar the terrain for several years.
Keep your pets under control and on a maximum six-foot leash to avoid accidents with vehicles, wildlife and other visitors.
The speed limit in the park is 25 m.p.h. Please be alert for horses, mountain bikers, people and wildlife on the roadway.
Fires within the park should always be placed in a grill or approved metal fire ring. This prevents the outbreak of wildfires during the dry season. Backpackers are required to use camp stoves. NO OPEN FIRES ARE ALLOWED IN THE BACKCOUNTRY!

LORY STATE PARK TRAILS (refer to map for number references)

1 ARTHUR'S ROCK TRAILS
Foot only;
Foot, Horse, Mountain Bike
Moderate to Difficult The 1.7 mile trail winds through forested mountainsides and open meadows to the summit of Arthur's Rock. The two mile horse/mountain bike trail winds steeply up the foothills to join the foot trail in the first meadow. Here, also is access to Horsetooth Mountain Park. The combined trail splits again once past Arthur's Rock Gulch, limiting mountain bikes to the upper route. The trail then joins again for a breathtaking view of Horsetooth Reservoir and the Front Range from an elevation of 6,780 feet.

2 OVERLOOK TRAIL
Foot only
Easy to Difficult Mule deer, wildflowers, Albert's squirrels and spectacular views of the eastern plains can be seen along this 1.9 mile trail connecting Arthur's Rock Trail to the Well Gulch Trail. Starting from Well Gulch, the trail maintains a relatively flat stroll along the ridge below Arthur's Rock. Directly below the rock, the trail branches - to the right is a steep climb to the top of Arthur's Rock and to the left the trail meets with Arthur's Trail.

3 TIMBER TRAIL
Foot, Horse, Mountain Bike
Moderate to Difficult This 3.5 mile trail ascends from the Group Picnic Area to the ridge behind Arthur's Rock. The trail climbs steeply through grass and shrub lands, leveling off in the pine forest, where the park's six primitive back-country sites can be found. This trail has some steep switchbacks and rocky scrambles to cross in getting to the top of the Well Gulch drainage.

4 WELL GULCH NATURE TRAIL
Foot only
Easy to Moderate Wildflowers and wetland vegetation line this plush 1.5 mile trail. A self-guided nature tour takes you through the grasslands, mountain shrub, and timber life zones, with stations along the way illustrating botany, geology and animal life in Lory State Park. For those looking for a longer hike, the trail branches in the Timber and Overlook trails.

5 WESTRIDGE TRAIL
Foot only
Moderate Following old jeep and fire roads, this 1.5 mile trail takes you along the west boarder of Lory. Tucked down in the pine forest broken by open meadows filled with wildflowers, its easy to forget about how close you are to civilization

6 SHORELINE TRAIL
Foot, Horse, Mountain Bike
Easy This comfortable one mile hike leads down to the edge of Horsetooth Reservoir. The red sandstone hogbacks offer a striking background to the grassy meadows, where deer can be found grazing.

7 WATERFALL TRAIL
Foot only
Easy This 0.1-mile trail leads back to a series of waterfalls during the spring and early summer. Wetland vegetation can be found along the trail throughout the summer.

8 VALLEY TRAILS
Foot, Horse, Mountain Bike
Easy These trails run parallel to the main road, branching to coves at Horsetooth Reservoir or meeting with the mountain trails.

All programs, services and activities of the Department of Natural Resources, Colorado State Parks are operated in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Questions, complaints and requests for additional information may be directed to: ADA Coordinator, Department of Natural Resources, 1313 Sherman St., Room 718, Denver, CO 80203.

Any person who is excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program of the Colorado Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation on the grounds of race, creed, color, sex, age, handicap, or national origin, should contact the park manager, the nearest local regional office, the Division headquarters in Denver, Colorado, telephone (303) 866-3437 - or the National Park Service, P.O. Box 37127, Washington, D.C. 20013-7127. DPOR-LORY-5M-6/96

1 ARTHUR'S ROCK TRAILS Foot only; Foot, Horse, Mountain Bike Moderate to Difficult	The 1.7 mile trail winds through forested mountainsides and open meadows to the summit of Arthur's Rock. The two mile horse/mountain bike trail winds steeply up the foothills to join the foot trail in the first meadow. Here, also is access to Horsetooth Mountain Park. The combined trail splits again once past Arthur's Rock Gulch, limiting mountain bikes to the upper route. The trail then joins again for a breathtaking view of Horsetooth Reservoir and the Front Range from an elevation of 6,780 feet.
2 OVERLOOK TRAIL Foot only Easy to Difficult	Mule deer, wildflowers, Albert's squirrels and spectacular views of the eastern plains can be seen along this 1.9 mile trail connecting Arthur's Rock Trail to the Well Gulch Trail. Starting from Well Gulch, the trail maintains a relatively flat stroll along the ridge below Arthur's Rock. Directly below the rock, the trail branches - to the right is a steep climb to the top of Arthur's Rock and to the left the trail meets with Arthur's Trail.
3 TIMBER TRAIL Foot, Horse, Mountain Bike Moderate to Difficult	This 3.5 mile trail ascends from the Group Picnic Area to the ridge behind Arthur's Rock. The trail climbs steeply through grass and shrub lands, leveling off in the pine forest, where the park's six primitive back-country sites can be found. This trail has some steep switchbacks and rocky scrambles to cross in getting to the top of the Well Gulch drainage.
4 WELL GULCH NATURE TRAIL Foot only Easy to Moderate	Wildflowers and wetland vegetation line this plush 1.5 mile trail. A self-guided nature tour takes you through the grasslands, mountain shrub, and timber life zones, with stations along the way illustrating botany, geology and animal life in Lory State Park. For those looking for a longer hike, the trail branches in the Timber and Overlook trails.
5 WESTRIDGE TRAIL Foot only Moderate	Following old jeep and fire roads, this 1.5 mile trail takes you along the west boarder of Lory. Tucked down in the pine forest broken by open meadows filled with wildflowers, its easy to forget about how close you are to civilization
6 SHORELINE TRAIL Foot, Horse, Mountain Bike Easy	This comfortable one mile hike leads down to the edge of Horsetooth Reservoir. The red sandstone hogbacks offer a striking background to the grassy meadows, where deer can be found grazing.
7 WATERFALL TRAIL *Foot* only Easy	This 0.1-mile trail leads back to a series of waterfalls during the spring and early summer. Wetland vegetation can be found along the trail throughout the summer.
8 VALLEY TRAILS Foot, Horse, Mountain Bike Easy	These trails run parallel to the main road, branching to coves at Horsetooth Reservoir or meeting with the mountain trails.