Poudre River offers summer activities - what will you do?

Flowing through Fort Collins from the winding Poudre Canyon, the Cache la Poudre River is without question one of Fort Collins most popular features.

Not only is it an iconic national treasure, it also offers the most diverse set of activities than any other local destination on its churning rapids, its placcid wide pools and its pebbly banks.

With summer around the corner, here’s you must-do Poudre checklist:

<strong>1. Whitewater rafting ... or lazy river tubing</strong>
Fort Collins is home to a bevy of businesses offering guided whitewater rafting, making a safe and adventurous tour merely a phone call away. If you want to dip in on your own for a less stressful trip down the river, Picnic Rock State Park provides an easy stretch of water to drop an inner tube into for a lazy float, and it’s not far from the mouth of the canyon. Buy your tube at Big O or Discount Tires and don’t forget the sunscreen.

<strong>2. Fishing</strong>
“I think that what makes the Poudre such a great place to fish is how beautiful the canyon is ... in combination with an abundant supply of fish,” Grant Houx, manager at St. Peter’s Fly Shop, said. It’s hard to pick a bad spot on the river; the tough work is just keeping your line untangled. Fishing licenses can be acquired at the Colorado Division of Wildlife or local outdoors shops.

<strong>3. Camping</strong>
Just hop on Highway 14 up the Cache la Poudre-North Scenic Byway and choose one of the 257 overnight camping sites available. The Ansel Watrous campground, located right off the river, is the closest to Fort Collins and has an eclectic offering of sites to accomodate campers, with parking for RVs and access to great hiking. Because of it’s proximity to town, though, it fills up fast on weekends. Call the Canyon Lakes Ranger District for more information at 295-6700.

<strong>4. Hiking</strong>
The trails that stem from the Poudre River are staggering and cater to all levels of ability. Greyrock Trail is a great place to get started, with diverse terrain, wildlife, and wildflowers during early summer months. Maps of trails in the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests are easy to come by at places like REI, Jax or The Mountain Shop.

<strong>5. The Mishawaka Amphitheatre</strong>
Nestled in the Poudre Canyon, the Mish is beloved by locals while retaining the small venue intimacy that makes it the perfect stop for a frosty beer, burger, and live music. With a deck that straddles the river, it’s also a great spot to kick back, watch the hummingbirds and enjoy the view.