Horsetooth is very close to the Fort Collins metro area, making it perfect for quick hikes.
Photo Credit: Colby Ripsam

Standing prominently above the city at 7,303 ft, Horsetooth Rock is widely considered to be a symbol of the town of Fort Collins, Colo. Horsetooth Rock (simply called Horsetooth by locals) is visible from about every neighborhood in town. Every local could easily distinguish Horsetooth in a picture due to the unique geologic formation, which, you guessed it, looks like a horse’s tooth. I recently took a Sunday afternoon to get some exercise by hiking the famous trail to the top.

Many hikers opt for the classic trail from the upper parking lot to the top of Horsetooth which is seven miles round trip. This trail is popular because its quick and family friendly. A downside of the trail being popular is that the parking lot fills up with eager hikers on the weekend and the trail head can quickly fill up. I encountered this crowd last weekend and it completely changed my afternoon hiking plan.

The upper parking lot at Horsetooth was full so I was forced to park in the lower lot adjacent to the reservoir. I consulted a trail map to see how I could still reach the top. I spent the next three hours trekking, covering over fifteen miles round trip. By choosing this less popular route, I was exposed to completely new trails and an unknown side of Horsetooth.

After climbing my first forest hill, the trail snaked into a small, arid valley. A quiet peaceful stream flowed next to the trail as I marched to the next trail head. At the beginning of the next trail head, the forest setting returned and I began my climb to the top. I reached the top after seven miles of easy, relaxing hiking. The best part of this entire hike was the lack of the constant trail traffic that I was used to when hiking the most popular Horsetooth route.

Each trail I hiked on could’ve been easily completed by a family if they were able to devote more time to the hike. Citizens of Fort Collins complain that Horsetooth is extremely busy whenever they want to spend a weekend in nature. I would disagree because Horsetooth is way larger than the one famous trail to the top. Horsetooth Mountain Park offers over 29 miles of hiking that are located only 10 minutes from the Fort Collins metro area. Below are some less popular trails that you can hike with your next free weekend.

Towers Trail- 3.2 miles, climbs to the top of a vista

Spring Creek Trail- 3.3 miles, snakes through the river valley

Mill Creek Trail- 3.5 miles, climbs to the top of a vista

Stout Trail- 3.3 miles, follow this trail on the plains on your way to Horsetooth Falls

Horsetooth Mountain Park is way more than the one popular trail to Horsetooth Rock. Go explore all it has to offer on your next hiking adventure.