The Biker’s Weekend in North Park: the Motorcycle Rider’s Itinerary for a Trip to Walden, CO

What could be better on a hot summer day than taking a motorcycle ride through the Colorado mountains? As we continue to hit record temperatures in the Colorado Front Range and construction season is at its peak, you might wonder where you can even ride these days without being stuck in a 110 degree traffic jam. 

Riders have been coming to Walden, CO for years. With the twists and turns of scenic mountain passes, lonely two lane highways, and some of the most beautiful scenery in the state, the ride up to North Park isn’t a well-kept secret as much as it is a place lost to memory as everyone struggles to make it through the rat race.

Jackson County, CO is very well-known to old school riders with its sleepy back roads and plenty of wide open spaces to stretch your legs and just ride. So if you are looking for the best place to ride this summer to beat the heat, Walden is your destination. So get your bike out from under that cover, fill up the tank, and get the hell out of the city for a weekend of beautiful views on the open road!

Day One: Scenic Byways and Unmatched Scenery

The Cach la Poudre-North Park Scenic Byway is one of over a dozen scenic byways in Colorado. Poudre Canyon is a dream ride as HWY 14 follows the Cache la Poudre River from LaPorte, CO to nearly the top of Cameron Pass. Along the way, you’ll find plenty of curves to lean into, places to stop like Rustic as the highway climbs four thousand feet in altitude. On the Jackson County side, you’ll see the Nokhu Crags and peaks shared with Rocky Mountain National Park as you make your descent into North Park. 

Stop off at the Howling Coyote Mexican Restaurant and Bar, which has been called the best Mexican food…just about anywhere! They have a full menu of authentic Chihuahuan cuisine, from grilled carne asada to seafood and ceviche. Along the way you can check out Colorado State Forest State Park, with gravel roads maintained well-enough for even pavement princess bikes. Rent a yurt for the night with YonderYurts right in the heart of the State Park, or book a cabin for the night at the Powderhorn Cabins. Either experience is rustic yet comfortable after several hours on the road.

Day Two: Walden and Surrounding Locations

Hit the road again for the next 24 miles in to Walden and check into one of our various hotels or vacation rentals to make Walden your base camp for the weekend. You’ll have a view of the Never Summer mountains and the Medicine Bow Range most of the way. With meandering rivers and hay meadows where moose are often spotted grazing on willows. 

In Walden, we have several restaurants operating breakfast, lunch, and dinner all weekend long. From early morning fare, brunch, and lunch at Rita’s Cafe, to Walden nightlife at the Stockman Bar and Grill (a favorite of bikers for over forty years).  Our newest restaurant, Zirkel Mountain Pies combines the best of what food in Walden has to offer along with games like axe throwing and air hockey. Check our Where to Eat page for a full listing of restaurants in Walden.

Discover our local history with the North Park Pioneer Museum, have a picnic at Hanson Park, or check out several stores and gift shops on Main Street. Fuel up at the Sinclair station, Corkle’s Mini Mart, or Corkle Oil at 308 Grant Street in Walden. For parts and service, you’ll find plenty of help at Jack’s Auto Parts and Service on Main Street, Mon-Saturday.

What Else to Do in Walden and More

• Hailed as the Other Chamber of Commerce, riders who like to cast a line and get some fishing done will want to stop by North Park Anglers on Main Street. Fishing conditions, the bait that is hitting, and everything an angler needs to reel in the big ones can be found at this Orvis affiliate guide and gear shop.
• Lake John and Delaney Lakes are two of Walden’s most popular destinations. Delaney Lakes is a Gold Medal waterway (as is the North Platte River), but Lake John features easy shoreside fishing, a pro-shop, and RV hookups for overnight visitors.
• Visit the Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge for an up close and personal view of wildlife and waterfowl just outside of Walden.
• Head up to Hidden Lakes, Teal and Tiago Lakes, and plenty of National Forest Access on the way to Steamboat.
• Rand, CO is another of North Park’s villages in the mountains. On the way to Granby, just before Willowcreek Pass, you’ll find this sleepy community, along with the remnants of Teller City, a silver boom ghost town slowly being reclaimed by the Routt-Arapaho National Forest. Plenty of chances to see moose, mountains, and winding roads that bikers love await you on HWY 125.
• Park in front of the Rand Store for books, souvenirs, and conversations with locals, or book a room at the Old Homestead Campground, one of North Park’s legacy hot spots since the early 1920s, now being renovated under new management.
• Willowcreek Pass meets up with US 40, which follows the border between Grand and Jackson County. Catch HWY 14 back to Walden after a drive along the Colorado River, have a soak at Hot Sulphur Springs, and cruise over to Muddy Pass, right in the shadow of Rabbit Ears Peak. It’s an incredible day of riding with so much to see and do.

Haystack Enduro

When: August 1st- 2nd, 2026

Where: Old Homestead Campground, Rand, CO.

Attention all motorcycle enthusiasts! The Old Homestead Campground is bringing back enduro motorcycle racing to Routt National Forest in Rand, CO. Riders face 80 miles of grueling course running between 8600 and 10,500 ft above sea level! Check out the Haystack Enduro Facebook page for more information.  You’ll find live music from Rhett Haney at the Old Homestead Saloon Aug 1st with BBQ from All Smoked Up. Grab your tickets online to eat.

Best Places to Eat and Sleep in Walden and North Park, CO

Tired of riding for the day? Get your butt out of the saddle and ease into a chair for a well-deserved meal on your road trip!

Local Restaurants

• Rita’s Cafe: Get a start early with breakfast and lunch five days a week (closed Wednesdays and Thursdays) open 6am-3pm and 6am-2pm on Sundays.
• Howling Coyote Mexican Restaraunt: New restaurant in Gould, CO, on HWY 14, 23 miles SE of Walden. Serving up a wide selection of authentic Mexican food .
• River Rock: Classic American cuisine in a historical Walden, CO location. Open seven days a week and serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and a full-service bar.
• Stockman Bar and Grill: Good food, drinks, local flavor, and live music.  
• Zirkel Mountain Pies: Pizza, ice cream, wings, and antiques.  Call (970) 723-8668 to order ahead. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

Places to Stay

• Antlers Inn: 970-723-8690
• Caribou Crossing Motel: 970-501-6076
• Powderhorn Cabins (Cabins and RV camping):970-723-4359
• Old Homestead (Cabins and RV camping): 727-430-0938
• Sleepy Moose Inn: 970-440-1614
• North Park Inn and Suites: 970-723-4271
• Chedsey Motel: 970-723-8201
• Lake John Resort (Cabins and RV camping): 970-723-8201

Stage Two Fire Ban

Visitors need to be aware of the Stage 2 Fire Ban conditions in Jackson County this summer. An unusually dry winter has put Colorado in some serious drought conditions and we are hoping you can help us to limit the possibility of sparks, fires, and disaster that would follow in our community. Please check out this graphic for information about the limitations of a Stage 2 Fire Ban.

Stop by on Your Way to Sturgis

Many of our regular riders know of Walden and North Park as being a place to stop and stretch your legs, grab a bite to eat, or find a good place to rest on the way to Sturgis. Stopping at out of the way places like Walden is what it is all about, not burning miles on boring interstates. We’ve got plenty of things to do even if you aren’t headed to South Dakota in August. North Park has the cool weather you’ve been looking for to ride and see the sights all without the traffic you’ll find in busier locations.

Whatever brings you to North Park, we want our bikers to have a safe and memorable ride. Watch for wildlife on roads as well as farming equipment as we are in the middle of haying season. We hope you enjoy your time in North Park. Please check out our social media platforms and leave comments about your favorite rides through North Park!

Let’s Get Social!

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