Fort Collins Historical Exploration Walking Tour

To fully understand the vastness that encompassed the land of the Louisiana Purchase, the government of the United States organized expeditions and sent them out to probe its reaches. Beginning with the Corps of Discovery in 1804, columns of soldiers and scientists ventured into the unknown western country. In 1820 the first of these explorations passed into the Cache la Poudre River drainage led by a major in the U. S. Army’s topographical engineers named Stephen H. Long. On the heels of Long’s party came additional expeditions.
The junction of the Poudre River and Boxelder Creek in Running Deer Natural Area (managed by the City of Fort Collins) was singularly significant for its role as a crossing site for early exploring parties. These columns then marched along the north bank of the Poudre until they reached the foothills to the west.

This tour allows you to literally walk in the footsteps of these early explorers that passed through the area two hundred years ago.

Meeting Point

3405 E Prospect Rd

3405 E Prospect Rd, Fort Collins, CO 80525, USA

Our tour will begin in the parking lot at Running Deer Natural Area located at 3405 E. Prospect Rd, Fort Collins, CO. Look for our blue Traces of the Past passenger van.

What's included:

• Personalized stagecoach ticket
• Historic object viewing and handling.

What to expect:

Duration: 2 hours

Running Deer Natural Area

3301 Prospect Rd, Fort Collins, Colorado

We will walk a historic corridor (approximately 2 miles round-trip), through which several early expeditions traveled. In addition, our narrative includes information on regional American Indian peoples.

2 hours