What's Happening In North Park and Walden, CO in January?
Now that we are breaking into the New Year, and the dust (and tinsel) have settled from the holidays, you might be looking for something new to do. Check out what is happening in North Park and Walden this January! North Park is a great destination to visit for some unique outdoor recreation.
Walden, CO sits at the center of North Park, offering incredible views of snowcapped mountains, alpine forests, and a winter outdoor recreation enthusiast’s dream destination. From chili cookoffs to ice golf, ice fishing contests to winter motorsports, North Park still knows how to have fun in the deepest part of winter.
Calendar of Events for North Park and Walden, CO
If you are looking for things to do in Walden and the surrounding area, here’s what is happening in North Park, CO for the month of January, 2024.
Pete’s Pies 2nd Annual Pie Auction and Cornhole Tournament
- When: January 12th , 2024
- Where: North Park High School, 910 4th Street, Walden, CO
- Details: Dessert drop off, tournament registration, and chili contest registration starts at 3pm and closes at 4:30pm. Chili tasting begins at 5pm. Cornhole tournament follows directly after.
- Cost: Entry fee of $20 per team for the cornhole tournament. Chilil contest entry and tasting is free!
The North Park Booster Club is building a legacy with its 2nd Annual Pete’s Pies Pie Auction and Cornhole Tournament. The event started in 2023 to honor the memory of local, Pete VanValkenberg, who was famous for his piees. The event starts off with a chili tasting contest, pie auction, and corn hole tournament. The event will be held in the high school gymnasium and cafeteria.
Categories for the chili contest include red and green chile. Winners of the best chili win prizes. Proceeds from the pie auction and cornhole tournament help support the North Park Booster Club and North Park Athletics. Let’s go Cats!
2024 Lake John Fishing Tournament
- When: January 13th and 14th
- Where: Lake John, 14 miles west of Walden, CO on County Road 7A
- Cost: $55 for adult entrants, $20 for kids.
One of the most anticipated events for outdoor winter sports in the area. Each year, the Lake John Ice Fishing Tournament draws anglers from all over the country to compete for catching the biggest sporting fish in Lake John. This year’s tournament starts on Jan 13, running from at 6am to 5pm on Saturday and 6am to 12pm on Sunday. Entry for this event is open now, and the entry form can be found on the e North Park Chamber of Commerce website.
Winners receive cash prizes. Hourly door prizes and other fishing and outdoor gear are also up for grabs, as well as the prestige of hauling in some monster fish. Within sight of Mt. Zirkel, at the foothills of the Park Range, you will find world class fishing and incredible views.
The Lake John Resort is teaming up with the Howling Coyote Mexican Restaurant this year to provide delicious Mexican food from their “El Toro” food truck from dawn til dusk! Sign up for the tournament today and enjoy a weekend on the ice, some incredible scenery, and amazing food.
XMR Vintage Snowmobile Races
- When: January 20th
- Where: Walden Reservoir, one mile west of Walden, CO
For three weekends every winter, you’ll hear the rumble of engines as racing machines tear across the ice of the Walden Reservoir. Xtreme Mountain Racing has gathered some of the best in vintage and classic snowmobiles, side-by-sides, ice bikes, and other snowmachines to race throughout the winter in North Park
If you get a warm and fuzzy feeling inside when you hear a snowmobile wrap up as it burns across the ice at high speed, this is the event you don’t want to miss. Contact XMR at (970) 948-1170 for more information regarding registration, cost of entry, racing times, and other details.
We’re gonna crack the ice!
Ron Sessions Memorial Ice Golf Tournament
- When: Jan 27th
- Where: Walden Reservoir
- Cost: for details about entry fees, call Jim Dustin at (970) 819-5869
It started many years ago to pay tribute to Ron Sessions, a member of the community who fought cancer until the end. Now each year, the North Park Lions Club hosts this one of a kind event on the ice of Walden Reservoir. Golfers run the course with teams of three or more, teeing off with tennis balls into holes drilled in the ice.
It's great fun on the ice, with food, hot beverages, and lots of laughs to keep spectators and participants warm. Surrounded by the mountains of North Park and friends all having a good time on the ice, you couldn’t ask for a better excuse to play outside in January.
What Else Is Happening in North Park this January?
North Park is an all year, four-seasons destination. Whether it is outdoor recreation such as cross-country skiing, wildlife viewing, or just getting away from the crowds that fill up ski resort towns, you’ll find visiting North Park in the Winter to be a captivating experience. Life in North Park moves a little bit slower, which is just how the locals like things.
An hour from resort towns such as Winter Park and Granby, Steamboat Springs, and Hot Sulphur Springs, Walden, CO and North Park open up different ways to experience the Rock Mountains. Most visitors come to get away from it all, and keep coming back for more.
Best Places to Stay in Walden, CO
For hotels in Walden, CO check your favorite booking or trip-planning app. We have several to choose from. Reserve your rooms for seasonal events early as rooms tend to fill up quickly. Here are some places to stay in Walden, CO and North Park on your next visit
Lodging and accommodations can also be found on AirBnB and VRBO. Choose from a wide selection of vacation rentals, ranging from quaint to unique.
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!
Best Places to Eat and Drink in Walden and North Park, CO
Once you come in from the cold, you’ll want to warm yourself from the inside out with a hearty meal or places to get coffee in Walden, CO. Check out some of our local restaurants, bars, and coffee shops during your visit.
- Rita’s Cafe, Walden, CO
- Holy Grounds Coffee, Walden, CO
- Howling Coyote Mexican Inn, Gould, CO
- Rand Yacht Club, Rand, 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.
Come See What North Park Has Waiting For You!
Be sure to mark your calendars, for these and other exciting events happening in North Park and Walden, CO this January, Bookmark this site as more events are added all the time. North Park cannot be beat when it comes to experiencing the real Colorado, away from the noise and traffic of ski towns and the congestion of cities on the Front Range.
Just over the mountains from Fort Collins, Rocky Mountain National Park, Grand Lake, Winter Park, and Laramie, WY, you’ll discover the charm and beauty tucked away in this corner of the mountains locals have been enjoying for generations. We will see you there!
