Big Thompson Canyon
Loveland Colorado
The Big Thompson Canyon is the gateway to the Rockies. The narrow canyon mouth is located at the western edge of Loveland on highway 34. The canyon mouth is the location of one of the main pumping stations of The Colorado Big Thompson water project.

This project pumps water from the Colorado River basin on the western slope of the continental divide to the reservoirs and rivers on the eastern side. The water is used by all local cities and then farmers all the way to the Mississippi.

The narrow canyon mouth is adeptly called the narrows by the locals.  It is narrow and winding but an excellent highway. The narrows opens up into a wider canyon just a few miles from the mouth. As you drive up the canyon you will see many second homes and rental cabins all along the rivers edge. The river runs sedately beside the road and looks like a typical mountain river. But do not let looks fool you because on July 31, 1976, the height of the tourist season, a 100 year flash flood devastated this canyon and 144 residents and visitors died. Today you can hardly notice unless you know what you are looking for.

The Big Thompson Canyon is famous as the entrance to Estes Park Village and Rocky Mountain National Park. Estes Park is about 30 miles west of Loveland. Rocky Mountain National Park is just two miles west of Estes village.

The canyon is home to many herds of big horn sheep. The best viewing is in summer when the sheep come down from the high cliffs and mountain areas. You can see them in the lower canyon on the rocks near the road. You need to keep a sharp eye because the can appear right next to the road at almost any hour.

Fishing is popular in the canyon and during your drive you will see many people trying their luck The river is usually stocked every year so the fish are plentiful.

About half way up the canyon you will find the small town of Drake Colorado and a junction of the highway. The left road is 34 and the main entrance to Estes Park. The right fork will take you the back way through the tiny town of Glenn Haven where the summer time general store serves some of the best cinnamon rolls in the state. These rolls are not brought in but backed by the store owner fresh everyday.

After Glen Haven it is just a short drive to Estes Park.

There are many rental cabins in the canyon and there are some people who stay in the same cabin every year for years. We met on family who is on their third generation of adult visitors.

Big Thompson Canyon To Loveland Attractions