Lyons - North Central Colorado

• Lyons Premium Businesses »
• Lyons Featured Businesses »
• Lyons Calendar of Events »
• Lyons RV Sales, Service & Rentals »
• Lyons Activities & Maps »
• Where is Lyons in Colorado »
• Learn more about Lyons, Colorado »

 

Experience Lyons Colorado

Lyons, in north-central Colorado, is an intimate, hip town in the foothills of Boulder County known as the "Double Gateway" to Rocky Mountain National Park. Highway 7 takes you over the scenic Wind River Pass (33 miles) and Highway 36 takes you through Estes Park (25 miles); both routes take about 40 minutes. Lyons is the perfect destination if you're looking to stay away from the bustle of a mountain resort town and want to explore Allenspark, Longmont, Nederland, Eldorado Springs, and Historic Downtown Boulder. The Town of Lyons, known for its historic Lyons Formation sandstone, was founded by quarry workers in 1880. Its' Historic District includes 15 buildings featuring fine craftsmanship and stunning red sandstone (pick up a self-guided walking tour map at the Lyons Redstone Museum).

FUN FACT: Lyons sandstone can be found in architecture throughout Colorado and the United States, including many of the buildings on CU Boulder campus.

Lyons - A Hip Town in Colorado's Foothills - Halfway Between Estes Park and Boulder - West of Rocky Mountain National Park

St. Vrain Creek Flows Through - Enjoy Fly-Fishing - Tubing - Kayaking - Riverwalks - Views from Black Bear Hole Bridge

Bohn Park, south of Main Street near downtown Lyons, is a family-friendly outdoor adventure destination along the gentle rapids of the St. Vrain River. Ideal for both fly-fishing and tubing; leisurely trails for strolling through the Rocky Mountain Botanic Gardens in summer and snowshoeing in the winter; a Dirt Jump Bike Park featuring natural and manmade terrain, rock features, and a pump track for all levels of riders; a Skate Park and Playground, along with a picnic pavilion, and several picnic tables and benches.

Spend a day along the scenic drive up the South St. Vrain Canyon to the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway and enjoy the Rocky Mountain views. This Scenic Byway passes a few of Colorado's ghost towns and abandoned gold mines along highways 72 and 119. On the weekends, prospectors still pan for gold in the creeks, and there are a few gold mines along the way that allow the public to pan for the sparkling golden flakes; have fun catching "gold fever." Nederland is a fun stop for ice cream and a ride on the Carousel of Happiness. If you're traveling with adults only, Blackhawk and Central City offer casino gambling. The Byway is beautiful year-round, but when fall colors are out, it's spectacular; fall is also elk-rutting season!

Bunce School Road Off-Roading Trail Plane Crash - US Air Force Lockhead T-33 - First Jet Plain Used by the USAF - Both Crew Members Lost Their Lives - Be Respectful

Enjoy the WILD-LIFE in Roosevelt National Forest - See Elk Lounging Lazily - Mountain Bike the Trails at Hail Valley Ranch - Find a Quiet Fishing Hole and Catch a Trout

Lyons is a mecca for artists, outdoor enthusiasts, and musicians, with 12 restaurants, many feature live music and craft beer, along with 3 coffeehouses and bakeries. The "heARTS of Lyons" is an outdoor art collection of over 13 sculptures all over town. Enjoy mountain biking at Hall Ranch, rock climbing at Button Rock, and kayaking along the St. Vrain River. Float on a tube down North St. Vrain Creek, off-road along Bunce School Road, or hike Rabbit Mountain; these are how many people spend their vacation time. Enjoy regional and national year-round music festivals at Planet Bluegrass, where North St. Vrain Creek winds through the festival grounds, creating a cool and relaxed outdoor music experience.

Winter Wonderland - Outdoor Ice Rink at LaVern Johnson Park - December Holiday Market - Parade of Lights - Monthly Concerts at Bohn Park - Old Man Winter Gravel Run

Winter Adventure Near Lyons - Glide Through Snowy Landscapes - Bounce Easily Through the terrain on a Fat Tire Bike on Specially Designed Trails at Heil Valley Ranch

Lyons Whitewater Park is at LaVern M. Johnson Park along the North St. Vrain Creek, which beckons kayakers and tubers to drop in for a ride along the 1,320-foot horseshoe-shaped park with eight features starting at the "swimming hole" with beginner to intermediate drops. For a longer float, continue to Black Bear Bridge. It's a quick walk back to the start as it bends around the west end of the park, so you can take multiple rides in one day. In winter, cold temperatures permitting, the summer splash pad transforms into a winter wonderland with an outdoor ice skating rink and a chocolate stand.

When winter blankets Lyons, Rabbit Mountain Open Space features groomed trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing adventures with glorious views of Colorado's plains and the Front Range. The newish winter-sport of Fat Tire Biking, a unique bike that floats easily through the snowy landscape, has made its way to the multi-use trails at Heil Valley Ranch. Eldora Mountain Ski Resort is a 60-minute drive along US-36 and CO-119.

Lyons, Colorado - Driving Directions and Location

LOCATION: Lyons is in northern Colorado along the Front Range, 25 minutes from Boulder and Longmont, 30 minutes from Allenspark and Estes Park, and 50 minutes from Nederland. Denver International Airport is a 60-minute drive, and Fort Collins Airport is a 45-minute drive.

DRIVE TIMES: 60 minutes from Denver. 2 hours from Colorado Springs, CO; 2-1/2 hours from Pueblo, CO and Cheyenne, WY. 6 hours from Grand Junction, CO. 7 hours Durango, CO. 7-1/2 hours from Salt Lake City, UT, and Lincoln, NE. 8 hours from Albuquerque, NM; Topeka, KS; and Amarillo, TX.

Commercial Air Travel Accommodations are handled by Denver International Airport (DEN) aka "DIA", and Northern Colorado Regional Airport (FNL) formerly known as the Fort Collins-Loveland Municipal Airport. Please contact your preferred travel agent or airline for flight arrangements.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS: From Denver International Airport, take Peña Blvd to I-70 west toward Denver, stay in the right lane, and take exit 279A onto I-270 west; keep left while merging onto US-36 west through Boulder to Lyons, Colorado. From the Northern Colorado Regional Airport in Loveland, CO take I-25 south to exit 243 and merge west onto CO-66 through Longmont to Lyons, Colorado.

Lyons is near: Allenspark, Boulder, Estes Park Area, Longmont & Nederland

Featured Lyons Businesses

Lyons Activities & Maps

National Parks and Monuments:
Rocky Mountain National Park

Scenic Byways:
Peak to Peak Scenic Byway

Jeep & 4WD:
Roosevelt National Forest Jeeping & ATV/UTV Trails

Local Area Maps:
Rocky Mountain National Park Area Map