Eagle, Colorado

Eagle’s historic downtown has a couple of blocks of shops and restaurants. The town is situated just west of Avon on I-70, roughly two hours from Denver. The town is getting popular because of its amazing trails, trekking routes, and other recreational activities. This also makes it a perfect middle ground vacation spot because it’s close to Vail and Beaver Creek ski resorts.

Eagle’s motto is “Classic Colorado”, which is evident in everything from the laid-back, non-resort town vibe, to the world-class wilderness backyard. It resides at 6,601 feet of elevation in Eagle County. The town was incorporated on April 5, 1905.

Main Attractions

Overlooking Sylvan Lake Camping Eagle CO — Overlooking Sylvan Lake and lakeside campground. Photo: hugh rhine

Sylvan Lake State Park – Features biking, camping, fishing, hiking, and more recreation in a beautiful, secluded location. Center around Sylvan Lake, this wonderful state park sits about 30 minutes south of Eagle deep into the mountain forest.

Eagle River – This tributary to the Colorado River passes through town, offerings great fishing and rafting. Eagle River rafting trips depart May to July, offer a great mix of Class II, III, and IV rapids. There are both adrenaline-filled whitewater and a simple, relaxed float perfect for families.

Recreation

Eagle River Eagle CO November Snow — Fall snow by the Eagle River in Eagle, Colo. Photo: brent flanders

Eagle is also filled with amazing water-inspired activities from kayaking, fishing, rafting, and more. Everyone in the family can pick a new activity for every visit.

Camping:

Sylvan Lake State Park has about 50 campsites suitable for tents and RVs. National forest land surrounds Sylvan Lake and offers 2 campgrounds.
Fulford Cave Campground is located 18 miles south of Eagle, nearly an hour’s drive on dirt roads. It’s open from May/June to October, weather dependent and first-come, first-serve.
Read about the camping near Vail, Avon, and Eagle.

Fishing:

Good trout fishing is found in the Eagle River which runs through town.
Sylvan Lake also has outstanding fishing.

Sylvan Lake Eagle CO Fisherman Casting Line — Shore fisherman at Sylvan Lake. Photo: Cyndi and Dave

Hiking:

Hernage Gulch Trail: Secluded trekking track along Hernage Creek. The only hike on Eagle Ranch that’s not accessible for mountain bikes.
Mount Thomas Trail: Debatably the best view of Eagle Town. It goes along the Red Table Mountain ridgeline.
Nolan Lake: Uphill trail to Nolan Lake with amazing views and a challenging climb.
Yeoman Discover Trail: Family-friendly trail that’s enveloped by nature. A more accessible trail for children and casual visitors.

Kayaking:

Colorado River: Enjoy this certain section of the Colorado River. This location is popular for tourists and locals alike. This is a good spot for beginners and intermediate kayakers.
Eagle River: This stretch is a good challenge for kayakers. There are different levels of rocky areas that will require technical maneuvers to pass along the stream. There are extraordinary views of the Red Canyon as well.

Accommodations

Booking.com

Hotels and lodging:

Read about the best hotels in Eagle.

Dining

Eagle has 2 Colorado-made breweries that you can tour while in town. These craft beers have been known all over the country for their locally sourced ingredients. Enjoy a drink (or two) while interacting with live bands and the lively Eagle community.

Bonfire Brewing: Lively patio with a live band… and dogs! This brewery features up to 25 unique craft beers. It’s open 7 days a week and starts happy hour at 7 p.m.
7 Hermits Brewing Company: Special live showing during football season. Open from Mondays to Saturdays from 4 p.m. onwards, you can check out their hand-crafted beers partnered with amazing paninis and pizza.

Historic downtown on Broadway.