Warm Weather

Spring, summer and fall come alive in Colorado. From hiking and biking to hot air ballooning and whitewater rafting, everyone can find something fun to do with the Embassy Suites Loveland as their base camp.

Devil’s Backbone is a geological landmark on the western edge of Loveland, just off Highway 34. Added to Larimer County’s open space in the fall of 1999, the Devil’s Backbone offers a 3.5-mile loop trail for hiking, biking and running. Featuring towering rock formations, it is an ideal location to view wildlife.

Ramsay-Shockey Open Space, across from Pinewood Reservoir, was purchased in 1997 to protect important wildlife habitat and to provide a buffer to Pinewood Reservoir. A four-mile trail allows hikers and mountain bikers to enjoy the surrounding valley.

Head into the Rocky Mountain National Park, located just outside of Estes Park, for a day of hiking, biking, a scenic drive or just sight seeing which may include elk, deer, and if you are lucky a moose or bear. Stop at the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center on the way into the Park to pick up a map. For more information, call (970) 586-1206 or Click here to visit their website.

Click here for directions to many more great trails in the area.

Carter Lake, located in the foothills in southwest Loveland, is perfect for boating, water skiing, sailing, scuba diving, windsurfing, swimming and fishing. Boat mooring, gasoline and boat rentals are offered at the Carter Lake Marina. Open year round, hiking trails and horse trails are abundant surrounding the reservoir. Click here to learn more about Carter Lake.

Flatiron Reservoir is located northwest of Carter Lake and is surrounded by 200 acres of public lands. The 47 acres of water is popular for fishing and is stocked with Rainbow Trout in the spring and fall. Click here to learn more about the Flatiron Reservoir.

Also open year-round, Pinewood Reservoir is just beyond Flatiron and sits at 6,580 feet elevation. More than 300 acres of open land surrounds this popular location for fishing. Wakeless boating is allowed. For more information, visit www.co.larimer.co.us/Parks/parkareas.htm

Boyd Lake State Park is located in Loveland just north of Highway 34. This state park attracts visitors who enjoy boating, water-skiing, swimming, fishing, wind surfing, bicycling, walking, seasonal hunting and wildlife viewing. The park also features picnic areas, volleyball court, horseshoe pits and a playground area. For more information, call 970-669-1739 or parks.state.co.us/Parks/BoydLake

If you are in the mood for some fly fishing, the Big Thompson River is a fisherman’s dream. The 78 mile river flows from Rocky Mountain National Park through Estes Park to the east into Loveland. Head up Highway 34 towards Estes Park from Loveland into the Big Thompson Canyon to try your hand at fly-fishing.

Why not hit the sky and see the beauty of Colorado from above? Several companies launch balloons daily, even in the winter months depending on the weather.

For information, call 303-710-9602 or visit www.aircolorado.com.

The Cache Le Poudre River offers some of the best whitewater rafting in the state! During the summer months try your hand at paddling down the river. Beginner trips and advanced trips are offered as well as half day and full day.

For more information, call (970) 493-4005 or visit www.shoprma.com.

Mariana Butte is a premier 18-hole course featuring soaring elevated tees, challenging holes that border the rushing Big Thompson River, and breathtaking vistas of the Rocky Mountain Front Range. Repeatedly chosen as one of Colorado’s favorite courses, Mariana Butte is the perfect place to relax and rediscover the good things in life. For more information, call (970) 667-8308 or visit here.

The Olde Course at Loveland Golf Course is mature, gracious and secure in its position as the “Grand Dame” of golf in Loveland. The Olde Course has tree-lined fairways which lead to small, tight greens. During a round, you’ll work your way around 6 ponds that define the course, and must conquer an island green on hole #14. For more information, call (970) 669-5800 or visit here.

Featuring breathtaking scenery, this course is as magnificent as it is challenging. Highland Meadows is one of the most widely acclaimed golf courses in Colorado. Embassy Suites guests receive $20 per person off a round with cart with their their room key. For more information, call (970) 204-4653 or visit www.highlandmeadowsgolfcourse.com

Pelican Lakes Golf Course is located about 20 minutes from Embassy Suites in Windsor. Embassy Suites guests receive $15 per person off a round with cart with their room key. For more information, call (970) 674-0930 or visit www.watervalley.com

Sylvan Dale Ranch, located about 12 miles west, offers horseback riding throughout the year. For more information, call (970) 667-3915 or visit www.sylvandale.com

Estes Park, about 50 minutes west, also has several stables that offer horseback riding. Visit www.estesparkcvb.com for a list of stables.