Planning to stay around town for Spring Break? Make it a Loveland Staycation! The local forecast calls for mild spring temperatures (55-65 degrees) and provides a great opportunity to get outside with the whole family.
Picnic at the Park
The City of Loveland maintains 35 park areas, 11 of which feature reservable gazebos, shelters, and pavilions. Take the whole family, even the dog, to enjoy some fresh air during lunch or dinner. For a complete list, visit http://www.cityofloveland.org/departments/parks-recreation/parks-facilities.
Horse Trail Rides
Located just west of Loveland, Sylvan Dale offers horseback rides through gentle terrain to extended climbing rides with ridge-top views. All rides are guided by a qualified wrangler and geared to the least experienced rider. For more information, visit https://www.sylvandale.com/horses-trail-rides/.
Family Sleepover
Loveland has over 20 hotels to choose from, several of which include free breakfast with any overnight stay including Embassy Suites and La Quinta. The city’s newest hotel, TownePlace Suites, is located right downtown in The Foundry and just a minutes walk from dining, shopping, and entertainment. Prices range from $58 (Travelodge) to $179 (Embassy Suites) per night. Learn more: https://www.visitlovelandco.org/where-to-stay/.
Hiking and Biking
Being so close to the foothills definitely has its advantages, especially if you are a fan of hiking or mountain biking. One of the most recognizable and popular trails in Loveland is Devil’s Backbone Open Space. The area is made up of 12 miles of trail for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Coyote Ridge Natural Area, located between Loveland and Fort Collins, is a favorite among hikers and mountain bikers of all ages. The trail is 3 miles roundtrip and features moderate climbs. For a longer ride or hike, it meets up with Rimrock Open Space for another 4 miles of trail and views of Horsetooth Reservoir. The Mariana Butte Natural Area is not open to bikes, but offers a hiking and walking trail system, including the Hidden Hogback trail. The new sustainable trails were constructed completely by volunteers to preserve the land. The area is known for panoramic views and wildlife watching opportunities. The Morey Wildlife Reserve is a 33-acre natural area along the Big Thompson River, just west of Mariana Butte Golf Course. It is known as a “birding hotspot” where watchers can find many species of birds including red-tailed hawks, sandhill cranes, and bald eagles.
A Day at the Lake
Boyd Lake State Park, on the east side of town, offers something for everybody: boating, fishing, camping, picnicking, swimming, hiking, biking, and hunting. Carter Lake, on the southwest side of town, is a 1,100-acre reservoir surrounded by 1,000 acres of public lands. It’s a great place for fishing, sailing, water skiing, camping, picnicking, swimming, scuba diving, and rock climbing. Lake Loveland, in the center of town, is a private lake (the recreational rights belong to the homeowners surrounding the lake) but also offers public fishing areas. North Lake Park has a playground, soccer fields, sculpture park, miniature railroad, and more.
Go Fishing
As mentioned above, Loveland has several options for lake fishing. If you are looking for something different, don’t miss River’s Edge Natural Area. The 163-acre natural park is located south of First St. and east of Taft Ave. There are 5 fishing ponds, plus 3.8 miles of natural-surface trails for pedestrian use, fishing access, bicycling, and wildlife viewing. Boedecker Reservoir, on the west side of town, is a local favorite for catching walleye and white bass. For the avid angler, Big Thompson River is the place to catch brown, rainbow, and cutthroat trout. Stop by the newly restored Viestenz-Smith Mountain Park for a picnic along the river. Located 4 miles west of the entrance to Big Thompson Canyon, this beloved mountain park holds great historical and sentimental significance to the community. The September 2013 Big Thompson Flood caused devastating damage to the park, resulting in its closure to the public for more than 5 years.