Start Some New Holiday Traditions in North Park

When winter settles in throughout the Colorado mountains, visitors set their sights on the wonders of the holiday season. Colorado is a winter wonderland that brings out all the best vibes of the season, especially up in the Rocky Mountains. Rather than fight the traffic of the I-70 corridor and the soupy roundabouts of ski-towns, there is a whole other side to Colorado you need to check out.

North Park isn’t far away. Just a short detour on your way to any of the crowded resort towns, Jackson County sits in a remote high mountain valley, completely surrounded by mountains. With the communities of Rand, Gould, Spicer, Cowdrey, Walden, and others, every visit to North Park takes you back in time to a simpler time. 

North Park holds onto its heritage, rooted deeply in the Old West. What you will find is a vibrant community of real people, small town charm, and stunning views unlike any you’ll see anywhere else. Check out a few reasons why you should put North Park on your holiday travel itinerary. 

So Many Sights to See

What North Park lacks in high-rise luxury ski resorts and A-list Hollywood celebrities, it more than makes up for in scenery. We have the Medicine Bow mountains, Park Range, and aptly named Neversummer Mountains to thank for that. The Front Range rule of “Mountains on the west side” doesn’t apply here. Our mountains are 360 degrees of stunning vistas, craggy peaks, and lush pine forests. 

A Place Away from the Ordinary

North Park sits at the crossroads of a few main highways you might already be familiar with. CO HWY 125/127 enters Jackson County from Wyoming, and Colorado HWY 14 meets up with US 40 along the southern edge of North Park on its way to Steamboat, CO. These main roads converge in Walden, CO, a town established in 1889. Walden is surrounded by several satellite communities, large family ranches, and hundreds of square miles of forests, plains, and of course mountains.

In the summer months, North Park is known for fishing, camping, ATVs, and plenty of outdoor recreation. In the wintertime, North Park shows its appeal as a four season destination. Even though we still get lots of snow, there are still so many things to do. What you won’t see here are crowds of tourists and pretentious venues. With a tight-knit community and Old West charm, t’s still the real Colorado, and about to become your new favorite place.

A Holiday Stay to be Remembered

Not only will you find some wonderful hotel accommodations in Walden, CO, you’ll find plenty of vacation rentals to take your experience to the next level of comfort and one of a kind stays. These destinations are great for big family Christmases or romantic weekends away from the city.

Cut Your Own Christmas Tree

Skip the Christmas tree lot near you this year for a truly memorable holiday experience: cutting your own Christmas Tree. If you are looking for a place to cut your own tree, the Colorado State Forest State Park has you covered. December 7 and 8 you can get your Christmas Tree cutting permit for $10 per tree with a limit of five (5) trees. Bring your own tools and methods to transport your tree home and you could just about put a tree in every room of your house for the cost of one tree at a tree lot.

A North Park Christmas

The first weekend of December brings in the holiday season with wagon rides, photos with Santa, hot chili and refreshments, and confectionery delights at Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen. Get your Grinch on as the Grinch Store, along with photos with everyone’s favorite vile one with termites in his smile! Warm yourself by the firepit and catch up with old friends and new at the Main Street Park. Check out this post to learn more about A North Park Christmas.

Shopping

In winter, downtown Walden turns into a veritable North Pole with plenty of Christmas themed shops, from the Grinch Store to Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen. For gifts, crafts, locally made items from North Park artisans, you’ll want to stop by the Walden Candle Company. 

If you are looking for a variety of upscale gifts, clothing, saddles, and that perfect gift for the person in your life who has everything, you’ll want to visit Never Summer Trading Co.

Holiday Craft Fairs!

December is alive with all sorts of giftware shows featuring local artisans and creatives. They are bringing out the best of their creations, from fashion accessories to lotions and candles, cutlery, and photography. 

• North Park Chamber of Commerce Christmas Cupboard: December 7 & 8, and the final stretch of last minute shopping from Dec 16-23 at the North Park Chamber of Commerce 489 Main Street in Walden.
• Christmas Market: The Wattenberg Center at the Jackson County Fairgrounds comes alive with the holiday spirit on Dec 13-15.

Let's Get Melodramatic

On Dec 13 & 14 at Brunner Hall (509 McKinley St) in Walden, the Pioneer Drama Service in conjunction with the North Park Pioneer Museum presents “Wait Til the Sun Shines, Nellie or...So Long, Snivelheart” by Craig Sodaro. Get ready to boo, hiss, and cheer for heroes and villains with a little community melodrama. Call 970-819-5424 for advance tickets. Music will be provided afterwards by the Front Porch Swingers.

Places to Stay

Plan ahead and book your lodging in a hotel, VRBO, or AirBnB vacation rental property in Walden, CO. Choose from a wide selection of vacation rentals, ranging from quaint to unique, and everything in-between. Great for single occupancy or large groups of visitors. 

You’ll also find plenty of other spots to stay in Jackson County during the winter, from secluded mountain cabins to yurts in the State Forest State Park. 

Reserve your rooms for seasonal events early as rooms tend to fill up quickly. Nearly everything is within walking distance of lodging in Walden, but if you don’t want to brave the weather, there are plenty of places to park—for free! 

Here are the best hotels and places to stay in Walden, CO

• Antlers Inn Call: (970) 723-8690
• North Park Inn and Suites Call: (970) 723-4271
• Chedsey Motel Call: (970) 723-8201
• Lake John Resort (970) 723-8201

Places to Eat

When the weather is cold and nasty, you want to find a place that warms you up from the inside out. That can mean some carryout to your room or a sit down meal at any one of our fine establishments*. 

• Rita’s Cafe, Walden, CO
• Howling Coyote Mexican Inn, Gould, CO
• The 10th Frame, Walden, CO 
• River Rock Cafe, Walden, CO
• Stockman Bar and Grill, Walden, CO
• Four Winds Pizza, Walden, CO

*Winter Hours are Subject to Change, especially depending on weather.

Experience a Winter Like No Other

Nothing else compares to the feeling of waking up to a world blanketed in snow with mountains and blue sky for miles. North Park holds a special place in the heart of its inhabitants, not only for the sense of community and all the events that fill the holiday season, but mostly because of its simplicity. 

The chill of the air, the scent of pine burning in wood stoves, and that intense blue sky will stick with you for a lifetime. There’s a good reason people keep coming back to North Park year after year. Some people just get it. If you do, there’s a good chance you will keep coming back too.

You can travel to a lot of places that put on a show for Christmas, but you won’t find a more genuine experience than the one you’ll get in Jackson County. Start a new tradition this year and make North Park your destination for holiday travel. Wake up to a whole other world this Christmas with a visit to North Park.