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    Soapstone Natural Area

    5.0 (1 review)

    Soapstone Natural Area Photos

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    4 years ago

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    Lory State Park

    Lory State Park

    4.1
    (12 reviews)
    27.3 mi

    We visited the accessible Homestead trail at Lory state park and it was lovely! There are a couple…read moreof accessible parking spots with access lanes right in front, and an accessible outhouse near the parking lot. The trail is wide enough for a wheelchair and is packed gravel/pea sized pebbles. My travel power chair did great on it, a manual chair might have trouble getting traction. It's about a half mile loop, there are informational signs throughout and benches scattered along the way if you need a place to sit. There are audio description devices available at the visitor center. There are also grills and picnic areas that are available when there is not a fire ban. Beautiful views!

    I visited Lory State Park for the first time today. Daily admission fee is $10.00…read more If you have the annual parks pass from registration renewal, there is no need to get a paper pass or placard from the Visitors Center to put in your car or hang on the rear view mirror. Your car license plates are sufficient. Park Rangers will check your plates to ensure you have the annual pass. The gentleman (volunteer) at the Visitors Center shared this information with me. I loved that he had a good sense of humor and was personable. We shared some good laughs together. I recommend going inside the Visitors Center to check out their wildlife display and to get helpful information for your visit to the park. There is also a small gift shop area to purchase books, maps and souvenirs. Staff will give you a free map of the park. There is also public restrooms at the Visitors Center. There is also a nice telescope inside the Visitors Center and a nice viewing deck with historical signage. I always enjoy reading this information for its historical value. I always learn something new. The roads in the park are all dirt so plan ahead for washing your car later. There are various parking lots to park your car before wandering off on trails. There are a lot of lovely views around. Have your camera or phone ready to take those landscape or perhaps wildlife photos. I didn't see any wildlife in the park today. I would've hiked various trails but I've been recovering from some injuries. Next time! I would love to return here. I very much enjoyed my visit to Lory Park. If you haven't been here, visit before the next snowfall! The weather was nice today so I felt fortunate. So glad I stopped here.

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    Lory State Park
    Lory State Park
    Lory State Park

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    Brainard Lake Recreation Area

    Brainard Lake Recreation Area

    4.5
    (33 reviews)
    67.4 mi

    Brainard NRA is stunning. I was surprised how fast the tickets go for this place during the summer…read moremonths - I went in mid September and the tickets for the morning times were fully gone within minutes after they dropped online a few weeks before I went Given RMNP tix go like that I was ready at 0900 for when they dropped, and actually within 1 min the 8-11a time slot sold out so I couldn't get it! But I did get the 5-8a slot which was fine. The area itself is very easy to find and navigate, and it is well maintained by the staff. When you arrive they do scan your day pass ticket and give you a pass to hang on your rear view mirror. The lot was plenty empty at Long lake trailhead (the start to get to Lake Isabelle) when I arrived around 0730. The day was fairly cool but not cold, and partly cloudy. It was absolutely gorgeous, the hike there was even more beautiful than the lake itself! I saw a moose along part of the trail too. The lake itself was surprisingly low, I'm not sure why the water level was that low but it looked much lower compared to the pictures/tiktoks I've seen online. That said, it is still very picturesque. There were lots of places to roam around the lake, and even tho it became SUPER windy when I got to the lake, I had a good time running around (but note - my nose was running like CRAZY, if you have allergies, come with tissues!). I did end up walking from long lake trailhead to the lake Mitchell trailhead and making the hike out there too; Isabelle is prettier imo but it was still a fun walk and the trailhead at Mitchell has plenty of parking too. There is a little trail, about 15 mins walk between long lake trailhead and Mitchell trailhead, although you do briefly have to walk along part of the road. Brainard lake itself is also lovely, I saw a moose hanging out right by this lake too!

    I will start by saying this is one of the most spectacular hikes I've ever done . I am a local…read moreFloridian and I just couldn't believe my eyes . I did the Lake Isabelle hike, and I 10/10 recommend. You are required to make a reservation in advance to snag parking inside the park . They do have parking outside of the park but it is about 2 miles of walking into the park to start the trail . The only place there is wifi is the restrooms before you enter the park. Make sure to download QR code in advance because you will have no service . I definitely recommend going during summer because wildflowers are in full bloom . The hike I did was very moderate, it about 4.5 miles roundtrip . If you have paddles boards I would suggest bringing them ! They have a nice camping area where the lake is easily accessible . I saw a bunch of people paddle boarding !

    Photos
    Lake Isabelle Trail | Instagram: @telephonesmoothie
    Lake Isabelle Trail | Instagram: @telephonesmoothie
    Perfect day for snowshoeing....amazing powder
    Perfect day for snowshoeing....amazing powder
    Brainard lake :)

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    Brainard lake :)
    Eagle's Nest Open Space

    Eagle's Nest Open Space

    4.7
    (3 reviews)
    15.3 mi

    This trail is found off the road that would take you up to red feather lakes. Just past the Forks…read moregas station on the left hand side. After you turn left you will drive down a winding dirt road for a bit to get there. Thankfully the times i have visited it has not been overly busy. Which is nice. You dont find that on a lot of the trails in northern colorado. Everything around here always seems to have a lot of people, dogs, mountain bikes. sometimes you just want some solitude. Dogs and horses are allowed here. Bikes are not. There are bathrooms and trash cans at the parking lot and dog poop bags at teh trail head. For half the year, this trail is 5.3 miles long. It makes a figure 8. For the other half of the year, they close about half the trail for nesting eagles so the trail will only be around 2.5 miles long. So be sure to check the season if you are wanting a long hike. Of course any time of year, nothing says you can not just do the first loop of 2.5 miles and call it a day. There is 1 tree along this entire trail. It is very open. With gorgeous views. But this is not a trail you want to do in 100 degree weather. As with any trail it is a good idea to bring water with you. Even more so if you have dogs. This trail is home to rattle snakes so be sure to be snake aware if you go during snake season. I would personally call this trail moderate skill level. I believe i have clocked around 900 feet of elevation gain when i have done this one the last couple of times. At one point you do cross a river. You actually go over it on a bridge, but if your dogs need to get down there to cool off that is a good place to do it. it is right before you start the 2nd loop. On the 2nd loop depending on the time of year you may find yourself around a lot of cows who are out grazing. This is a lovely local hike in our area. If you have not checked it out it is worth trying at least once.

    This is one of those reviews I am torn about...I love to share travel tips but I also love the…read moresolitude this space provides and don't want it to get too popular! But it really is too beautiful not to share. I would disagree with the previous reviewer about its difficulty. I should disclose, I have only ever hiked the loop but would rate it as moderate if you are a fairly active person. If you start down the right side, you will be hiking on a cow path for half the distance. However, there is zero shade on that side. In the heat of the summer, you should remember to bring plenty of water and perhaps avoid midday. The scenery here is just gorgeous though and you are unlikely to encounter crowds like at Grey Rock or Horsetooth. On a weekday, you may have the place all to yourself! Dogs and horses are allowed on this trail but mountain bikes are not. Parking is free and there are vault toilets at the trailhead. Enjoy!!

    Photos
    Eagle's Nest Open Space
    Eagle's Nest Open Space
    Eagle's Nest Open Space

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    Soapstone Natural Area - hiking - Updated June 2026

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