Button Rock Preserve

Where: CO Hwy 80, Lyons, Colorado 80540

This favorite hike lies well outside the city limits of Longmont, off of Highway 36 just west of Lyons. But it's actually managed by the City of Longmont, thanks to the Longmont and Ralph Price Reservoirs, which provide water for the city.

Button Rock is a great day hike for families; it's not too strenuous (the incline is very gradual on the way to the reservoir) and not too long (about five miles round trip), but still offers plenty of scenic viewpoints: crashing waterfalls, craggy rock formations and wide-open spaces. You can walk along the wide road that runs alongside the river, which is flat and smooth enough for strollers. Or you can climb the Sleepy Lion Trail, which is a bit longer and steeper, and leads you to a lovely grassy meadow. We've never seen any slumbering lions around here, but apparently bighorn sheep sometimes show up. Other animals you might catch a glimpse of include marmots, eagles and mule deer.

Whichever route you take, you'll end up at Button Rock Dam, where a powerful spray of white water shoots into the river below. It's an exciting sight and sound to say the least -- and on hot days, the mist from the water will cool you down considerably. From there, you can climb the steep trail to the reservoir high above, a placid and relaxing spot for a picnic. The views from up here are spectacular.

Getting There: From Lyons, head west on Highway 36 for 4 miles. Turn left at Boulder County Road 80 and continue for 3 miles. Take note! Boulder County Road 80 is not prominently marked and is easy to miss.

Union Reservoir

Where: 461 County Road 26
Web: http://www.ci.longmont.co.us/parks/park_list/overview/union.htm
When: March 1 - April 30, 6am-8pm; May 1 - Sept 1 (Labor day), 6am-9pm; Sept 2 - Sept 30, 7am-8pm; Oct 1 - Oct 31, 7am-7pm
Fee: Vehicle, $8; Walk/Bike-in, $2 (see website for other fees and annual passes)

Let's face it: you don't have a whole lot of options in Longmont when it comes to a day at the beach. In fact, your options pretty much begin and end with Union Reservoir. Fortunately, Union is a lovely spot in which to soak up the summer sun. Located on the east side of town, the 736-acre reservoir offers visitors a wide array of outdoor recreation options in a picturesque setting.

Union is a wakeless lake, providing a perfect spot for sail boats, canoes, wind surfers and paddle boats to glide across the water without concerns about loud motors and disruptive waves. On the sandy beaches (yes, there really is sand!) families frolic and swim while friendly, well-behaved dogs can splash happily nearby in a designated off-leash area (note: the dog beach is not fenced in). There are also campgrounds, a playground, grills, a volleyball court and more.

Union reservoir is also home to the Union Sailing Club, an active sailing club with weekly races, and the Longmont Sculling Club which caters to both new and experienced scullers.

Sandstone Ranch Visitor Center

Where: 990 State Highway 119
Web: http://www.ci.longmont.co.us/parks/park_list/overview/SSR_District_Park.htm
Visitor Center Hours: Tuesdays – May 17-Oct. 25, 2016: 9am-12noon; 2^nd and 4^th Saturdays – May 14-Oct. 22, 2016: 10am-2pm

It's hard to imagine what Longmont was like all the way back in 1860, but you can catch a glimpse of those bygone days at Sandstone Ranch, one of the earliest homesteading sites in the area. The intensely named Morse Coffin came to Colorado during the Gold Rush in the late 1850s, and instead of heading to the mountains like most of those seized with gold fever, stuck it out on the banks of the St. Vrain. And it seems as though he thrived there, establishing a sandstone quarry that supplied stone to cities all over Colorado and beyond. In the early 1880s, Coffin built the Second Empire-style house that still stands -- it's been added to and modified over the years, but retains a definite pioneer flavor.

There's also an ancient barn and walking trails that wrap around the old quarry. We like Sandstone as a biking destination; you can roll right up to it from the St. Vrain Greenway and relax on the lawn in front of the house. The Visitors Center, featuring information on local history and wildlife, is open seasonally (see dates and times above).

McIntosh Lake

Where: South of State Highway 66, north of Hygiene Road, west of North 75th Street and east of Hover Road

Web: http://www.ci.longmont.co.us/parks/park_list/overview/mcintosh.htm

At first glance, you might not think there’s much happening on the northwest end of Longmont. But one glimpse of the spectacular, 265-acre McIntosh Lake will set you straight. Boasting one of the greatest views of the Rocky Mountain Front Range in Colorado, the manmade lake attracts cyclists, boaters, fishers, birdwatchers and joggers to its sunny shores. 

A flat trail (half paved, half gravel) wraps itself around the water – it’s a great walk, jog or bike ride. Along the way, you’ll find two playgrounds, a tennis court, wetlands, boat ramps and plenty of photo ops. Keep an eye out for a wide array of wildlife, including blue herons, red foxes, and bald eagles. You might even see that rarest of Colorado sights – a windsurfer.