Walden, Colorado

Situated in North Park, Colorado near the border of Wyoming, Walden is the “Moose Viewing Capital of Colorado”. There are a lot of fun outdoor things to do in this remote town, including camping, fishing, hunting, and wildlife viewing.

It’s a small town isolated about two hours west of Fort Collins on Highway 14 with 513 residents as of 2020. There are several places to eat and shop on the quaint, historic Main Street. Walden is located on a high glacial plain known as North Park within Jackson County. at an elevation of 8,100 feet.

Welcome to Walden Colorado Sign — Welcome to Walden! Photo by: Jimmy Emerson, DVM

Though it’s smaller than neighboring towns, the views and wildlife experiences make Walden unique and worth visiting. It’s an ideal destination for recreational travel. From retirees and families to newly-wed couples, the North Park charm definitely captivates everyone.

It is also a place that maintains a lot of old Americana roots, and the ruggedness is a part of its charm. You’ll see cattlemen, cowgirls, rangers, and loggers all over town. Farming families are still dominant in these areas, too.

History

Courthouse — Jackson County courthouse, built in 1913 in Walden, CO. Photo by: Jimmy Emerson, DVM

Shortly after Colorado became a state in 1876, an area within Larimer County known as North Park became a popular place for settlers to start ranches and other agricultural endeavors. By 1890, Walden emerged as a commercial hub and was named after a nearby postmaster.

North Park continued to expand, and eventually needed its own jurisdiction. Jackson County was created to solve this problem and since Walden was the only established town, it became the county seat. The railroad and highway were eventually built into town, connecting Walden with even more of the surrounding area.

Today, Walden remains a great place for outdoor recreation in the form of fishing and hunting. It is also uniquely one of the places in the state that is reintroducing grey wolves into the ecosystem after a wolf from Yellowstone was spotted wandering around the area.

Main Attractions

State Forest State Park Bighorn Sheep Wildlife — Bighorn Sheep in State Forest State Park. Photo by: Todd Newcomer/No Barriers

Fishing and Hunting – Surrounded by national forests, Walden is a center for big game hunting for elk, moose, and migratory waterfowl. There are multiple rivers and reservoirs that are frequented by fishermen throughout the year and are stocked with brown trout as well.

State Forest State Park – The biggest state park in Colorado with over 70,000 acres of lush forest and alpine lakes. There’s great camping, fishing, wildlife viewing, and 4×4 roads to explore. It surrounds Walden to the south and east.

Birds in a field with mountains in the background — Coalmont Lek wandering in a field near Walden, CO. Photo by: Julio Mulero

Walden Journeys: Day Trips – As part of the cultural heritage program, there are day trips here called “Walden Journeys” where you get to visit the town’s museum, go over iconic buildings in the region, and see breathtaking landscapes. It is a great way to connect with the local culture.

Wildlife – North Park’s mix of landscapes including wetlands, forests, and mountains are perfect for big game, like moose. Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge is free to enter and the ideal place to check for moose around sunset. One-third of the moose in North Park reside in the State Forest State Park.

Read about the top things to do in Walden.

Recreation

Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge Walden CO Mountain Vista — Mountain vista from Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge in Walden. Photo by: Danielle Brigida

Camping –

State Forest State Park has camping of all kinds, from cabins and pull-through RV sites to dispersed car campsites and backcountry camping.
Buffalo Pass is the back way to Steamboat Springs located just south of town. Camping is permitted along most of the pass within the Routt National Forest.
There is a campground and free car camping in Roosevelt National Forest, accessible from the town of Gould, south of Walden on Highway 14. Take County Road 21 in Gould.
Read about the camping near Walden and Gould, around North Park.

Fishing –

Delaney Lakes, Lake John, and Walden Reservoir all offer lake fishing close to town. Take County Road 15 west and follow signs to each respective lake.
Cowdrey Reservoir to the north on Highway 125 is a great place to find some solitude in nature and good fishing.
The Walden Reservoir is only a couple of miles west of downtown Walden.

Hiking –

State Forest State Park has hiking trails of all lengths with gorgeous views of the sprawling land.
Arapahoe National Wildlife Refuge features a beautiful half-mile hike through the meadows and riparian swampland.
The Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest and Thunder Basin National Grassland are perfect hiking trails in Walden. There’s also an opportunity to do winter sports in these regions.

Accommodations

Antlers Inn Walden — Antlers Inn, Walden, CO.

Booking.com

Chedsey Motel – Newly remodeled, locally owned motel with cozy furnishings and free Wi-Fi. It has a prime downtown location for easy access to restaurants and shopping.

North Park Inn & Suites – Each room has a pine-framed bed and plush mattress so you can really feel like you’re at a mountain retreat. Some rooms come with full kitchens, and there is a heated garage that makes parking so much easier in the colder months.

Antlers Inn – Right on the Main Street of town, this popular inn is close to everything and even has a restaurant on site. There are plenty of common areas for guests to cozy up in.

Read about the best hotels in Walden.

Dining

Bar with rustic decor — The well-stocked bar at River Rock Cafe in Walden, CO. Photo by: facebook.com/river-rock-cafe

Moose Creek Cookhouse & Saloon – First opened in 1996, Moose Creek offers an all-day menu and accommodation. They are known for the restaurant’s cowboy vibe. If you’re dining here, make sure to check out their must-have “Burger Barn” menu. They also have a gift shop where you can get a variety of local memorabilia.

Holy Grounds Coffee – Stop by for a warm cup of coffee, freshly baked pastries, and a nice chat with the friendly local owner.

River Rock Cafe – If you’re looking for a great burger, crispy fries, and top-notch service, River Rock Cafe is the place for you.

Special Events

Horse rider at rodeo — North Park Never Summer rodeo horserider at the annual event in Walden, CO. Photo by: facebook.com/northparkneversummerrodeo

Feb – Ski Scramble – Strap on your cross-country skis or snowshoes and join the 5 or 10k races along Cameron Pass.

Jun – North Park Never Summer Rodeo – A junior and CPRA rodeo complete with a roping team competition, live music, and street dancing to round out the day.

Aug – Moose Festival – State Forest hosts an annual festival to celebrate the gentle giants that roam the area. There will be moose viewing and experts to educate visitors on the animals. Kids’ activities, “moose” rides and even guided hikes will be on the schedule as well.

Sep – North Park Fair – This local event brings the community together for classic fair fun and 4-H showings. A horse show and sports shoot will also happen during the 4-day event.