Summer Road Trip Guide to North Park

For many of us, we are on the back half of summer. Back to school sales are already beginning and the days are getting shorter. Just because the fireworks have ended, it doesn’t mean summer is over. There’s still lots of stuff left to do, especially when the days are hot and you want to get away from those triple digit temperatures. A road trip to North Park is just what the doctor ordered to cure the summertime blues!

Did Somebody Say Road Trip?

Nestled in the northern part of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, you will find one of the largest intermountain valleys in the state. At around 8000 feet above sea level, surrounded on all sides by mountains, North Park remains cool throughout the summer months. To get here, you will need to access Jackson County by one of several mountain passes. Whether you arrive by Cameron Pass, Muddy Pass, or even Buffalo Pass, your journey will be met with winding roads and spectacular views. 

The road to North Park offers some of the best mountain driving that will not only get your blood pumping, but show you breathtaking scenery. Snowy peaks, lush alpine forests, raging rivers, and golden plains. With some of the most rugged and isolated landscape in Colorado, a drive to North Park takes you back through time to a simpler place, nearly unmatched when it comes to raw beauty and undeveloped land. Not only can you get a great view of the stars at night, you are almost guaranteed to see wildlife on your drive.

Wildlife Abounds!

Walden, CO has the distinction of being the Moose Viewing Capital of Colorado, if not the continental USA! These massive members of the deer family are easily recognized by their sheer size, and also the enormous antlers or “paddles” the males grow every year. These antlers help the moose with their browsing in willows and also for scooping up vegetation from the bottom of ponds. In the late summer, you might even see the bull moose using their paddles in contests of strength to fight for the attention of female moose. Click here to learn more about North Park’s moose.

Other wildlife you might see on your drive are anything from pronghorn antelope, eagles, white tail and mule deer, big horn sheep, mountain lions, black bears, and much more! North Park has a lot of public land and between Routt National Forest, Colorado State Forest, and the Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge (not to mention thousands of acres of BLM land) the wide variety of biomes in Jackson County means an unusually diverse population of wildlife. From waterfowl to raptors, elk to porcupines, you can skip the long lines at Rocky Mountain National Park and see so much more of what Colorado has to offer!

What’s Going on for the Rest of Summer?

Cool temps bring a lot of visitors up from the cities, even if it’s just for a day trip and drive through the mountains. Walden is the main hub of Jackson County’s highways, connecting Laramie and Saratoga, WY with other Colorado mountain communities, such as Steamboat, Granby, Kremmling, and even Fort Collins. Though many people consider Walden a good place to stop and stretch their legs, grab lunch, or fill up the gas tank, those who have been visiting North Park for years know that the real treasure to be found are the excellent spots to stop for outdoor recreation.

Camping

With so much public land in North Park, you can find a beautiful place for dispersed camping, glamping, and all places in between. Campgrounds requiring fees are significantly less expensive than better-known spots in Colorado, with many of them not even requiring reservations. Bicycle travelers often stop and camp on through-rides in Hanson Park during the summer months.

Hiking

North Park has hundreds of miles of pristine hiking trails, most of which wind their way through rugged forests and mountains. From established trailheads to places that have seen few footprints over the years, there’s bound to be a trail that is about to become your favorite; at every level of difficulty! 

The Continental Divide Trail runs along the ridge of the Park Range on the west side of North Park. Access to this leg of the CDT can be found near Rabbit Ears Pass or near Encampment, WY. With many of these trails, you are more likely to encounter a bubbling mountain creek or snowfield than you are other hikers.

Fishing

North Park has the lock on fishing all year long. Not only is it a destination location for ice fishing in the winter, our freshly stocked mountain lakes and Gold Medal Waters are some of the best kept secrets for anglers in Colorado. North Park has several species of sport fishing trout, such as mackinaw, rainbow, cutthroat, and brown trout. 

Mountain lakes like Big Creek Lakes have tiger muskies, and record-breaking monsters that have been getting fat on shrimp for that sought-after pink meat everyone loves. Shallow rivers are perfect destinations for avid flyfishers and throughout the summer, the life cycle of mayflies, mosquitos, water beetles, and other insects give you plenty of options to try out your best flies. If you don’t have a fishing pole or license there are a few places in Walden you can visit to remedy that! (Just follow the link and check out the links under Activities and Recreation.)

Photography

It’s almost impossible to take a bad photograph in North Park. Sweeping vistas, scenic overlooks, wildlife, and interesting people and places are a photographer’s dream destination. With the Medicine Bow Range and Park Range to the east and west, Golden Hour in North Park lasts much longer than you would expect. It’s also a great place for photoshoots, wedding shots, and nature photography.

Beat the Back to School Blues

When the kids start getting anxious about the school year starting up again, North Park has plenty of places you can go for the whole family. If camping isn’t your thing, rent a cabin or yurt at one of our resorts. Cabins are a great way to enjoy the comfort of home while still getting the experience of being out in nature. 

Even though the Neversummer Rodeo and Fourth of July Festivities have come and gone, there’s still more to do. The upcoming Balloon Festival and North Park Days is one of the biggest events for summertime. Closer to the end of summer, the Jackson County Fair highlights the traditions of agriculture, folk art, and ingenuity of our locals as we begin the long stretch into Fall.

Ghost Towns and Colorado History

During the late 1800s, mining was a big part of North Park’s growth, all the way into the last part of the 20th century. Now, the remnants of ghost towns throughout Jackson County are reminders of that era. 

Teller City is perhaps the most well-known site. Once a silver boomtown sporting several saloons, hundreds of miners, and their families, very little remains. The few cabins that are left are slowly being reclaimed by the forest, but the ruins are still enough to fire the imagination to take you back to another time.

Other locations such as the town of Pearl, Coalmont, Hebron, and even Pinkhampton are a reminder of the pioneer spirit and what the early settlers faced to build a life for themselves. You’ll also get a chance to see homesteads that hold a special place in the hearts of many descendants of those early settlers, who still call North Park their home. Stop by the North Park Pioneer Museum in Walden to learn more!

Off-Roading/Boondocking

Whether you like wheeling or buzzing around backroads in your side-by-side, North Park has plenty of OHV trails and dirt roads for you to break out the big kid toys. With so much public land, you can try out your boondocking rig at any number of fee-free campsites throughout North Park. Visit the National Forest Service HQ in Walden or check your favorite overlanding app for the choicest spots!

Get in the Car and Start Your Adventure!

One of the best ways to experience a road trip in North Park is to just get in the car and go! Nearly every trip through Jackson County will reveal a new surprise. For amenities, stop off in Walden, Gould, or choose a resort/vacation rental to extend your trip. We have great places to eat, friendly folks, and sights unlike any other in Colorado. Just remember to take your time, pay attention to the road ahead, and enjoy the ride!