The wild and scenic Cache La Poudre River, steeped in local history, nurtures visions of mountain men, trapping, pioneering, mining and early wagon and stagecoach trails.

The river rises high in the mountains on the Continental Divide and meanders through the magnificent Poudre Canyon and Roosevelt National Forest. It is flanked by beautiful scenery, bighorn sheep, deer, elk, fabulous fishing, hiking trails, comfortable resorts, residences and recreational cabin sites within an easy commute to Fort Collins.

Fishing, hiking, hunting, horseback riding, river rafting, and photography are just a few of the activities which may be enjoyed. The river became Colorado's first National Wild and Scenic River in 1986.

The 612,000 acre Roosevelt National Forest surrounds the Poudre Canyon area and provides exceptional outdoor recreation activities on a year-round basis.

The Rawah Wilderness Area, one of the most beautiful parts of the Roosevelt National Forest, comprises 25,580 acres of rugged peaks, alpine lakes and streams. As an area of solitude and natural environment it is managed to invite adventure, provide refuge from civilization and preserve the flora and fauna for your enjoyment.

The North Park area, including Gould, Rand, and Walden, is nestled in a valley at 8,000 feet, surrounded by mountains reaching above 12,000 feet. North Park offers a variety of year-round recreation, including hiking, fishing, hunting, camping, 4x4 trails, boating, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing and bird watching. Several old ghost towns and the sand dunes can also be enjoyed.

The area is surrounded on three sides by National Forest and on the fourth side by State Forest. The National Forest includes four wilderness areas, comprising approximately 75,550 acres, plus the Arapahoe Wildlife Refuge.

Red Feather Lakes is a rustic mountain village nestled in the majestic Northern Colorado Rockies, only some 30 miles from the Wyoming border near the high country of North Park and the historic town of LaPorte.

This quaint village is surrounded by Roosevelt National Forest with its sparkling streams, lush mountain meadows and stately peaks. This area was first settled around 1900 by loggers and ranchers. Occasionally a deserted homestead can be seen at the edge of a meadow or half hidden in the aspen and pine forest.

The town of Red Feather Lakes was developed in the 1920's when the automobile began to make once isolated mountain areas easily accessible. The town's dozen or so quaint shops and cafes provide residents of the area with the necessities of city life without the noise and confusion.

As the name suggests, there is a cluster of lakes there. Red Feather Lakes invite you to enjoy the unrivaled old fashioned hospitality that makes this area such a local favorite.

Poudre River and Red Feather Lakes are easily accessible through the city of Fort Collins, a very vibrant and progressive metropolis and home of Colorado State University. A vacation visit to our area will give you the best of both worlds!