It’s easy to see why outdoor adventurers love Colorado. The Centennial State is a paradise of stunning mountain summits, big, wide-open skies, amazing ski slopes, vast forests, and dramatic river canyons. It’s seemingly designed for rugged backcountry exploration, with both the Rocky Mountains and the Great Plains offering a wide variety of back country experiences for visitors bold enough to take on the wilderness.
But even though Colorado is one of the largest states in the U.S., with an incredible amount to see and do, visitors tend to stick to the most popular Western tourist destinations like Aspen and Vail. And while these exciting spots are certainly well worth exploring, it means travelers are sleeping on some of the best hidden-gems in the U.S. Colorado’s smaller names are just as exciting and there are plenty of amazing treasures and picturesque, remote mountain towns like Lake City to be discovered just off the beaten track. One of the best of these is Lyons, a gorgeous little town at the eastern edge of Rocky Mountain National Park, known as the “Double Gateway to the Rockies,” which boasts glorious mountain views alongside a vibrant cultural scene and some great dining options.
Lyons lies about 16 miles north of Boulder. It’s just under an hour by car from the center of Denver or the city’s sprawling, bustling airport — the nearest major international transport hub. You can also fly into North Colorado Regional Airport in Fort Collins, which is about a 45 minutes’ drive away.
Read more: The Lake That Many Call The Most Dangerous In America
Explore thousands of acres of backcountry in Lyons
Mountainous landscape of Hall Ranch Open Space – The Outdoor Corps/Shutterstock
While Lyons might look sleepy on the surface, its position as “double gateway” to some of Colorado’s most remarkable landscapes means it is the perfect base camp for anyone looking to indulge in some adrenaline-pumping outdoor recreation. There are some fantastic multi-use trails ideal for hiking or mountain biking just outside of town, like the Picture Rock Trail which links Heil Valley Ranch Open Space to Lyons itself. Hall Ranch Open Space is another brilliant spot for exploring on foot, with over 3,200 acres of beautiful wilderness to enjoy.
The region is filled with fantastic waterways, ideal for fly fishing or paddling. The most exciting spot if you want to get out on the water and test yourself is Lyons Whitewater Park at LaVern M. Johnson Park along the North St. Vrain Creek. This breathtaking ride powers kayakers over 1,320 feet of whitewater fun, with eight features and drops. It’s a great spot during the winter too, when they take advantage of the colder weather with an outdoor ice rink, the Eldora Ski Resort just an hour away, and ski touring and snowshoe trekking available at Rabbit Mountain Open Space.
It is also worth heading up into the clouds along the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway, Colorado’s oldest scenic byway, which offers exquisite views over the Rocky Mountains and some exciting Gold Rush heritage to discover. You’ll pass abandoned gold mines and abandoned ghost towns, and there’s nothing quite like jumping out of the car and trying your hand at panning for gold in one of the sparkling creeks along the way!
Find great art, fantastic live music, and excellent eating in Lyons
Beer signs at the Oskar Blues Brewery taproom – zimmytws/Shutterstock
While the magnificent scenery is a huge part of Lyons’ attraction, what sets it apart from other picturesque towns in Colorado is its vibrant arts scene. Around the turn of the 21st century, this historic quarry town reinvented itself as a cultural and artistic hub, attracting creatives from around the state and across the country with a series of events, workshops, and cultural institutions. The biggest showcase of the town’s innovative, alternative, and creative side is the heArts of Lyons Tour, an amazing display of sculpture and public art in local galleries, shops, home studios, and scattered all over town.
Lyons also boasts several fantastic music festivals, the two biggest being the RockyGrass Festival and the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival. These events, held once a year, showcase the best in bluegrass and American folk music from Colorado and further afield. For classical music fans, the Sounds of Lyons concert series runs over a long weekend in the spring, with exceptional performers playing at a variety of venues.
Lyons has also developed something of a reputation as a haven for foodies. The heart of eating, drinking, and live music in town, Oskar Blues Grill & Brew serves up sensational barbecue, and was the first American craft brewery to can its beer, making it a pioneer in a scene that has since taken the country by storm. Smokin’s Daves is a local favorite for its ribs and meatloaf, while for something a little more elevated, Marigold is an exceptional experience, offering a menu described as fresh, creative, and incredibly flavorful.
Ready to discover more hidden gems and expert travel tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter for access to the world’s best-kept travel secrets. You can also add us as a preferred search source on Google.
Read the original article on Explore.