As winter sets in in the Colorado high country, our little mountain community of Walden, CO and surrounding towns and villages are getting ready for the long winter months that are approaching. There’s still lots of things to do in Walden and the North Park area.
Though autumn may seem like a distant memory once the first snows fall in North Park, there’s still plenty going on for locals and visitors alike. If you are wondering what is happening in Walden, CO and North Park for the month of November let us be your guide. From holiday events to outdoor activities, here are things you can do and see near Walden, CO.
What to Do in Walden
Check out some of the events and activities in North Park you can enjoy in November, 2023.
Harvest Craft Festival
When: November 4th 8:00am-2:30pm
Where: Old Elementary Gymnasium
Location: At the corner of 5th and Washington Street, Walden, CO
Here’s what’s going on: Each year some very talented people from all around the North Park area gather for the annual Harvest Craft Festival. Artisans from the North Park area as well as Wyoming and beyond come together each year with handcrafted items that make perfect holiday gifts.
Locals and visitors alike get together to shop for gifts, taste local delicacies, and indulge in seasonal crafts and curiosities unique to the area. Come by and see what local artists, craftsmen, and creatives have in store for your holiday season gift-giving needs.
Here’s what you can expect to find at this year’s Harvest Craft Festival:
- Scented candles
- Handcrafted soaps and lotions
- Christmas ornaments
- Holiday decorations
- Handmade jewelry
- Furs and fabric
- Pet gear and paracord bracelets
- Quilting supplies
- Handspun yarn and woolens
- Holiday greeting cards
- Carved stonework
- Numbered prints and artwork
- Riding tack and equipment
- Food and refreshments
- So much more!
Winter Respiratory Vaccine Clinic
When: November 9th, 2023 1:00pm-4:30pm
Where: North Park School Library
Location: 910 4th Street, Walden, CO
Here’s what’s going on: It’s that time of year again. The upcoming holidays mean school programs and extended family and friends getting together, spreading holiday cheer and unfortunately, their germs. Protect your loved ones with an early seasonal gift of getting vaccinated against Flu and COVID. This year’s COVID booster is the Moderna vaccine. Flu shots and RSV vaccines will also be available. Please remember to bring your medical insurance card.
Vaccines provide a line of defense against viruses such as influenza and COVID-19 and help to prevent the spread of these serious illnesses. People with weakened immune systems, and other health conditions such as diabetes, asthma, autoimmune diseases, and other issues run a higher risk for serious illness without vaccinations. Before everyone gathers for the holiday season, make sure you are protected from serious respiratory illnesses.
Contact Jackson County Public Health for more information (970) 723-4002
Annual Stockman Bar and Grill Thanksgiving Dinner 2023
When: November 23rd, 2023--starting at 4pm
Where: Stockman Bar and Grill
Location: 441 Main Street, Walden, CO
Here's what's going on: Each year, the Blevins family, owners and operators of the iconic Stockman Bar and Grill in Walden, CO host Thanksgiving dinner. All are welcome to this event. A hot Thanksgiving holiday meal of roasted turkey with all the fixins is provided. There is no charge for the food, but drinks are extra.
Festivities start at 4pm and last until the food runs out! This tradition has been going on for over 25 years, starting with Dean and Linda Blevins giving back to the community to make sure no one is alone or hungry for the holidays. Each year 70-100 people are served. Find out more about this by clicking here.
Outdoor Sports and Activities Near Walden for November
North Park is a sportman’s paradise when it comes to fishing and hunting. With hundreds of square miles of public land, the forest and plains of Jackson County have been calling visitors for generations. But that’s not all the Walden, CO area has to offer for recreation. Individual outdoor sports and recreation have been a big draw to the North Park area all along. Check out some things to do in the Colorado mountains near Walden this November.
Hunting Season
With winter on its way, the shorter days and longer nights also mean saying farewell to the hunting season. Just a few weeks remain of the season for deer, bear, and other big game. The snows have held back long enough to provide access to areas within North Park that would normally be socked in with snow. If you have your ticket, there’s still time to get into the wilds and bag your limit for the year.
Fishing
Rivers and lakes might have become less active with the colder weather and dropping water levels, but there’s still plenty of great places to fish near Walden in North Park. Here’s just a few favorite locations that are still open and ready for you to cast your line, if you don’t mind a little cold weather. Don’t forget that ice fishing is just around the corner!
- Lake John
- Delaney Lakes
- Big Creek Lakes
- North Platte River
- Hidden Lakes
- Wild stream fishing throughout North Park
- Michigan Reservoir at State Forest State Park
- So many more!
Check out North Park Anglers for local fishing conditions near Walden, CO
Hiking, Mountaineering, and Backpacking in November
Surrounding North Park you will find some of the most pristine mountain trails in northern Colorado, all without the congestion and impact you’ll find at RMNP. As Novembers go, this year has been milder than other years, which means many trailheads are still accessible. If you venture into the mountains, make sure you are prepared for cold weather, use the buddy system, and know the area you plan to visit in case of extreme weather changes.
Camping
Many campgrounds have already closed down for the winter months, but there’s still plenty of National Forest and BLM land in the North Park area near Walden that are still open. Endless acres of open country await boondockers and dispersed camping on public lands, with much of the State Forest and National Forest still accessible as long as the roads remain open. November is right on the edge of that time when unexpected winter weather conditions can change all of that, so please keep a close eye on local weather reports if you plan on camping in North Park.
Alpine Skiing
The ski season just about to kick off in some of the best skiing in northern Colorado and Wyoming. Jackson County doesn’t have its own ski resort for alpine skiing, but it is within reach of some of the best powder and slopes in the country. Within around an hour drive (depending on road conditions), Walden is a great jumping off point for these resort towns:
- Steamboat, CO: Opens November 22nd
- Granby Ranch, CO: Opening Day, December 8th
- Winter Park, CO: Opens November 3rd, 2023
- Snowy Range, WY: Opening Day December 1st, 2023
Go a little further out and the mountains along the I-70 corridor are just over the pass! Check into a local hotel or vacation rental in Walden for Thanksgiving break. Beat the crowds at the nearby resort towns for a quiet and unforgettable vacation experience. Take your time and enjoy the slower pace Walden and the surrounding area has to offer. Instead of fighting traffic on I-70 stay in North Park for a different experience on your way to carving turns.
Come Check Us Out!
Walden, CO sits in the center of one of Colorado’s northernmost intermountain valleys or “Parks”. North Park is synonymous with Jackson County. It is a high plains desert valley surrounded on all sides by towering mountain ranges. This raw and untamed area is home to just a few thousand people, with breathtaking scenery, and wildlife like nowhere else in Colorado.
Many people might only know of Walden as a brief stop on their way through the mountains from the cities of the Front Range, but as Colorado continues to grow, off the beaten path places and mountain towns of Colorado are beginning to vanish. North Park and the area surrounding Walden are hidden gems that many can’t help but fall in love with. Whether it’s the small town character or quiet isolation you seek, you’ll love your visit to North Park, CO.
