Want to be outdoors on, after Thanksgiving? Try one of these Fort Collins-area activities

Miles Blumhardt, Fort Collins Coloradoan
·3 min read

Here are some outdoor activities to help you keep peace among family and friends this holiday weekend.

First, a look at the Fort Collins weather forecast to plan your outing

Best weather days for outdoor adventures will be Friday through Sunday.

Wednesday, Nov. 23: Partly sunny, with a high near 50 degrees. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 20 to 25 mph, gusting to as high as 38 mph in the afternoon. There is a 20% chance of snow after 11 p.m.

Thanksgiving Day: A 20% chance of snow before 11 a.m., then mostly sunny with a high near 43 and north-northwest wind 13 to 17 mph, gusting as high as 29 mph.

Friday, Nov. 25 : Sunny, with a high near 55.

Saturday, Nov. 26: Sunny, with a high near 56.

Sunday, Nov. 27: Mostly sunny, with a high near 48.

Fort Collins Thanksgiving Day Run

This annual holiday day run starts with a free kids fun run at 8:45 a.m. Thursday. The 4-mile run/walk race starts at 9 a.m. at the intersection of West Mountain Avenue and College Avenue in the heart of downtown Fort Collins.

For information on how to register and other details, visit https://fctdayrun.com/race-info/.

Runners compete in the 26th Annual Fort Collins Thanksgiving Day Run in Old Town Fort Collins in 2019.
Runners compete in the 26th Annual Fort Collins Thanksgiving Day Run in Old Town Fort Collins in 2019.

CSU's final football game of the season is Friday

Both teams have endured difficult seasons, but tailgating is always enjoyable at Canvas Stadium, especially on a sunny 55-degree day.

New Mexico (2-9 overall, 0-7 Mountain West) travels to take on CSU (2-9, 2-5), with kickoff at 1:30 p.m. Friday.

Here is what you need to know if going to a game at Canvas Stadium.

Visit https://csurams.com/sports/2022/2/3/football-tickets for ticket information.

Holiday shopping:Here are the Fort Collins grocery stores open Thanksgiving Day

Check out the wild turkeys at Centerra

A wild turkey stretches its wings in the early morning sun on June 21. A flock of turkeys has taken up residence at the Promenade Shops at Centerra near the U.S. Highway 34 and Interstate 25 interchange.
A wild turkey stretches its wings in the early morning sun on June 21. A flock of turkeys has taken up residence at the Promenade Shops at Centerra near the U.S. Highway 34 and Interstate 25 interchange.

Loveland's Promenade Shops at Centerra and adjacent Chapungu Sculpture Park's Zimbabwean sculptures are home to a highly visible wild turkey flock.

The turkeys can usually be seen in the open area near the Courtyard by Marriot and the Jared jewelry store or near the sculpture park. Mornings and evenings usually offer best viewing.

A walking trail meanders around the sculpture park and makes for a good family stroll.

A bonus is checking out the park's free Winter Wonderlights display that takes place from 5 to 9 p.m. nightly.

Take out-of-town guests to the top of iconic Horsetooth Rock

It's tough to miss this geological landmark. Summitting this feature with an intriguing name requires an approximately 5-mile round-trip hike that starts at 7,223 feet with an elevation gain of 1,440 feet.

Note: Construction work on the parking lot Tuesday and Wednesday will result in a partial closure.

For more information about the entrance fee to Horsetooth Mountain Open Space and other details, visit https://www.larimer.gov/naturalresources/parks/horsetooth-mountain.

Trade in Black Friday shopping for a free Fresh Air Friday state park visit

Fort Collins residents Lori Stromberger, left, and Sue Williams unpack at their vehicle at Lory State Park near Fort Collins on March 18 after completing the Mills Creek Trail to Horsetooth Rock Trail.
Fort Collins residents Lori Stromberger, left, and Sue Williams unpack at their vehicle at Lory State Park near Fort Collins on March 18 after completing the Mills Creek Trail to Horsetooth Rock Trail.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is offering free entrance to its state parks Friday, Nov. 25, as part of its Fresh Air Friday experience.

The Fort Collins area is home to two nearby state parks: Lory State Park, just west of Fort Collins, and Boyd Lake State Park in east Loveland.

Both offer plenty of hiking/biking trails but vastly different experiences.

If you wish to venture farther, Colorado State Forest State Park is located about 75 miles west of Fort Collins. It offers snow sports such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

To locate other state parks, visit https://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/Pages/ParkMap.aspx.

Don't want to cook?:These Fort Collins area restaurants open this Thanksgiving

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Fort Collins-area outdoor activities to try after Thanksgiving dinner