Fort Collins: Early Settlement & Town Beginnings (Riding Tour)

Highlights

Description

Travel back to the days when Fort Collins was little more than a handful of cabins along the Poudre River. This two-hour guided riding tour explores the earliest years of settlement and the beginnings of the community that would become Fort Collins.

Your guide, a local historian, leads you through the landscape where trappers like Antoine Janis and early ranching families first settled. Learn how Euro-American pioneers were drawn to the fertile valley, how they interacted with Native tribes, and how the U.S. Army’s presence encouraged more families to put down roots.

The tour covers key sites tied to early homesteads, trading posts, and the formation of Camp Collins’ civilian community after the military’s departure in 1866. Along the route, enjoy views of the Cache la Poudre River, open meadows, and foothill ridges that remain much as they were 150 years ago.

Beginning and ending at Watson Lake State Wildlife Area near Laporte, this comfortable ride offers plenty of time for storytelling, photography, and reflection on the resilience and spirit of Colorado’s early settlers.

Itinerary

9:45 AM — Check in at Watson Lake State Wildlife Area parking lotn10:00 AM — Begin tour with overview of Poudre River settlementn10:30 AM — Visit sites of early homesteads and farmsteadsn11:00 AM — Stop for stories about Antoine Janis and early settlersn11:30 AM — Learn about the transition from Camp Collins to Fort Collins townn12:00 PM — Return to starting point; Q&A with guide

Price & Availability

$35 per adult (Ages 13 +). Discounts for children, seniors, and veterans. Groups of 4+ save 10 %. Free reschedule for weather.

Food & Drink

No meals included; guests may bring water or snacks.

Instructions

Check in 15 minutes early at Watson Lake State Wildlife Area entrance (~4900 Rist Canyon Rd, Laporte).

Restrictions

Ages 8 + recommended. Minimal walking; restrooms available at most stops. Operates May–October, weather permitting.

Transportation

Transportation provided as part of the guided ride.