Unique to Weld County
Published on August 22, 2024
You don’t have to travel far to take in experiences you can’t find anywhere else. Whether you’re looking for group activities with friends and family, or flying solo, there’s a ton to see and do in your own backyard. Here’s a look at some top events and locales unique to Weld County.
Colorado National Speedway
Dacono is home to a 3/8 short-mile NASCAR sanctioned track that’s hosted a variety of races since its creation in 1965. Race events occur every weekend between April and September, with a few scheduled as far into the year as late November. Stock cars, sprint cars and drag racers are just a few of the types of lightning-fast autos you can see on any given race day.
For a full schedule of events and to purchase tickets, visit the official Colorado National Speedway website.
St. Vrain State Park
Boasting 689 acres of land and 228 acres of water, Firestone’s St. Vrain State Park offers a beautiful section of the great outdoors for those looking to fish, camp, hike, birdwatch and more. With affordable passes for park entry and campsite rental, St. Vrain State Park is a great place to spend time with the kids, play outside with friends, or enjoy the peace and quiet of solitude in nature.
For park information, FAQs and campsite reservations, visit the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website
Colorado National Railroad Museum
Whether you’re a model train collector yourself, or you’re curious to see and learn more about the hobby, Greeley’s Colorado Model Railroad Museum is well worth the visit. Fifty-five hundred square feet of model railroad await visitors through exhibits such as the Department 56 Christmas Villages Collection, the OC&E Railway HO Scale Layout and a vast collection of Lionel Trains. Outside of the world of miniatures, there’s even a fully restored Colorado & Southern Railway Caboose that can be observed and walked through during your adventure.
Check out the calendar of events, get information for your visit or even start purchasing pieces for your own model train collection on the Colorado Model Railroad Museum website.
Houston Gardens
Self-proclaimed as “Greeley’s best kept secret,” Houston Gardens is a botanic garden and nature center where visitors can traverse through a variety of ecosystems in a single afternoon. Take in the community gardens, fruit trees, beehives and greenhouses, and then walk through five different “zones” filled with unique flora: subalpine, mountain, foothills, plains and shrubland.
Visit the Houston Gardens website for more information.
The Wild Animal Sanctuary
Even longtime Weld County residents may be surprised to find out that Keenesburg is home to The Wild Animal Sanctuary, which cares for lions, tigers, bears (oh my), wolves, jaguars, cheetahs, leopards, mountain lions, camels, mustangs and more. With 1,300 acres of natural habitats and 1.5 miles of elevated walkways, there is plenty to take in as the animals live and roam freely around you, enjoying their rehabilitation from the horrific captive situations they were rescued from.
For information on the mission of The Wild Animal Sanctuary and visitor information, visit the Wild Animal Sanctuary website.
Pawnee National Grassland
Twenty-five miles northeast of Greeley lies the Pawnee National Grassland, a natural space encompassing a whopping 193,060 acres. Common activities for visitors of this vast outdoor area are camping, hiking, picnicking, off-highway vehicle riding and nature viewing. Birdwatchers enjoy Pawnee National Grassland specifically for its burrowing owl population, and onlookers of all sorts frequently catch sight of pronghorns who call the grassland home.
Take a look at the Forest Service website for all the details you need in advance for a visit.
Eastman Park River Experience
If you’re looking for water activities to beat the summer heat, Windsor’s Eastman Park River Experience might be just the ticket for you. Offering kayaking, canoeing, tubing, fishing, and water play, this is a great spot to spend time for a few hours, or all day long. If water sports aren’t your thing, or you need a little break, there’s also a playground, pickleball courts, soccer fields, walking paths and a skate park to enjoy.
Check out the Town of Windsor website for more information.
By Dylan McConnell, Communications Specialist