15 Best Things to Do in Eagle (CO)

The town of Eagle is located in Colorado’s northwest region, between Denver to the east and its border with Utah to the west.

Over the last few decades, Eagle’s population has more than doubled, and it’s the seat of Eagle County.

The town was founded in 1905 and is set amidst some of the state’s most rugged and scenic country. It offers visitors relatively easy access to some of the west’s most popular ski resorts, as well as a number of massive state and national parks that offer year-round activity options.

Below are 15 things to do in and around Eagle, Colorado.

1. Sylvan Lake State Park

Sylvan State Park is an easy drive from Eagle and is the perfect destination for those looking to experience natural Colorado without spending hours in the car driving to larger national parks.

The park is particularly popular with backcountry hikers, mountain bikers, bird watchers, and amateur photographers, and the lake is home to a variety of game fish species that make it a big draw for anglers.

There are two campgrounds within the park that offer dozens of individual campsites, and some of them are set up for RVs.

Hiking trails are plentiful too; from them, it’s common to see lots of unique Colorado wildlife.

2. Hiking

Hiking is one of the Rocky Mountain State’s most popular outdoor recreation activities. For fit travelers with a yen for the grout outdoors, it’s one of the most exhilarating ways to enjoy the state’s majestic natural scenery.

For those traveling with children, the Yeoman Park Discovery Trail is relatively easy and includes informative plaques touching on the area’s plants, animals, Native American cultures, and history.

The Mount Thomas Trail is noted for the amazing views of the town it offers those who make it to the top. Though it’s only moderately difficult, it can be slick and treacherous during periods of rain and snow.

3. Yeti’s Grind

Unlike other parts of the country where large national coffee shops dominate the landscape, independent operators are thriving in Colorado. For visitors who find themselves in Eagle in need of a potent and caffeinated pick-me-up, Yeti’s Grind would be a perfect stop.

Yeti’s Grind carefully select and roast their own beans, and customers agree that this attention to detail is evident in their coffees.

Consistently ranked as the most popular coffee shops at both their Eagle and Vail locations, they offer other non-coffee drinks as well as fresh baked goods such as muffins, scones, and croissants made daily by a local bakery.

4. Bonfire Brewing

Bonfire Brewing is located on West 2nd Street in Eagle and is open daily.

Though Bonfire was born from humble roots in 2010, it has attracted a loyal following over the last few years, and it usually features more than two dozen distinct brews on tap at any one time.

Their products range from crisp, refreshing ales to malty porters, and they offer lots of entertainment and activity options, including darts, foosball, and live music.

Bonfire doesn’t have its own kitchen, but it’s possible to order food from nearby restaurants and have it delivered.

Things tend to get lively around happy hour in the early evening.

5. Moe’s Original Barbecue

Barbecue lovers visiting Colorado will never be very far from a good restaurant, and Moe’s Original Barbecue is Eagle’s most popular.

Previous guests have commented on their impressive portion sizes, reasonable prices, and amazing flavors, and they feature all the classics Q aficionados expect, like ribs, smoked wings, and pulled pork.

Rumor has it that their sides are top-notch too, especially their mac ‘n cheese, potato salad, and baked beans.

Their best values are their dinner platters that include your choice of meat, sides, and dessert.

Moe’s is located on Grand Avenue and is open daily from 11 AM to 9 PM.

6. Garduno’s

Colorado’s rugged, wide-open spaces and fresh mountain air tend to make for big appetites. Hearty fare like barbecue, steaks, and Mexican food are generally more popular than salads and low-cal finger foods.

Garduno’s is located on Capitol Street downtown and is Eagle’s go-to destination for lovers of traditional Mexican food – from tacos and burritos to carne asada and carnitas.

They’ve got something to tempt most diner’s palates, and they make their own salsas with fresh ingredients like jalapenos, pineapple, green onion, and cilantro.

Amazing taco deals are offered on Tuesdays, so swing by then if your schedule is flexible.

7. Glenwood Hot Springs Resort

Glenwood Hot Springs has been an iconic area attraction for more than 125 years, and it’s purported to be the largest single mineral spring pool in the world.

The Ute Native Americans gave the springs a special name that translates into ‘big medicine’ in English. Most visitors agree that the warm, mineral-rich waters work wonders on a variety of muscular, skeletal, and tension issues.

The resort offers other amenities aimed at those interested in pampering themselves, and many visitors take advantage of massages while on-site to complement their soak.

The springs are open year-round and are relatively inexpensive to visit.

8. Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park

Glenwood Springs is a popular day trip option for those visiting Eagle who don’t mind a scenic drive through the country.

Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park is a year-round recreation attraction that’s billed as the country’s only mountaintop top facility of its kind, because it’s high in the Rockies at more than 7,000 feet above sea level.

The park offers guests a range of options, including cave tours, live entertainment, dining, and amusement-park style rides.

Single day passes are available, but for those who’ll be around for a while, annual passes are the best way to get the most bang for your travel dollars.

9. Vail

Vail Ski Resort is one of Colorado’s premier alpine sports destinations. Though it’s swankier and pricier than many others, most guests agree that it’s a great value, and often the most memorable experience of their trip.

Vail’s slopes and amenities are spread over more than 5,000 acres, making it the third-largest resort of its kind in America. It was established in the ‘60s by a couple of experienced ski patrolmen, who saw the promise the mountain held.

The resort’s abundant trails range from expert-only to easy slopes appropriate for kids and novice skiers. During the warm months, hiking, fishing, rafting, and mountain biking are popular.

10. Vail Square Ice Rink

Ice skating is an invigorating activity that’s best experienced in the great outdoors.

The Vail Square Ice Rink is open seasonally from Thanksgiving until the arrival of spring, and daily hours are from 1 to 9 PM.

Previous guests have described the rink as something out of a fairy tale, and it’s an especially big hit with kids and couples looking for something unique and romantic.

There are many dining and entertainment options in the rink’s vicinity, and the area is particularly festive during the holiday season.

Admission is inexpensive, and ice skate rentals are available. As the sun sets, the rink is illuminated by sparkling lights that give it a magical ambiance.

11. White River National Forest

At nearly two million acres, White River National Forest is big even by western park standards, and it’s one of the most popular and often-visited parks in the western United States.

The forest includes a variety of natural environments, the most iconic of which are the White River and its ten peaks that are higher than the 14,000-foot mark, which is generally considered the dividing line between merely big and epic mountains.

Many ski resorts lie within the national forest’s grounds. For those who’ll be visiting in the spring and summer months, an impressive array of warm-weather activities like rafting, biking, and fishing are popular pastimes.

12. Bearcat Stables

Bearcat Stables is located on Squaw Creek Road in Edwards and has been providing adventurous guests with truly memorable experiences since it was founded in 1998.

The stables and home were once the homestead of a family of settlers from the early 20th century, so visitors will learn lots about the area’s history and culture in addition to having an abundance of activity options at their fingertips.

Guided horseback tours are the stable’s most popular excursions, and there are a number of options appropriate for first-time riders or experienced equestrians.

Check out their website to see which package makes the most sense before heading out.

13. The Bookworm of Edwards

Books are essential elements of many traveler’s vacations, and The Bookworm of Edwards is an independent shop that carries an impressive selection of both fiction and non-fiction books; many of them were written by local and regional authors.

It’s the perfect place to pick up books touching on local history and culture, and there’s a big section full of useful hiking and fishing guides, trail maps, and cookbooks featuring traditional Colorado recipes.

There’s an on-site café as well, and they also offer special programs like book signings, children’s storytime, and charity events that benefit needy locals and those who don’t have access to books.

14. Breckenridge Ski Resort

Breckenridge is another of Colorado’s most popular ski resorts. It’s comprised of five peaks and dozens of runs, and features more than 30 lifts that typically keep lines short, which means more time spent on the slopes.

The resort features a variety of lodging and dining choices as well as year-round activities like fairs and festivals that include wine, live music, and extreme sports competitions.

For those with little or no skiing experience, there are plenty of experienced instructors and ski schools. Many of the lessons have been specifically designed with kids in mind. Snowboarding, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing are favorites as well.

15. Peak 8 Fun Park

Peak 8 Fun Park in Breckenridge is so named because it lies on the resort’s Peak #8.

The fun park is a warm-weather attraction that’s only open from June through September when the weather is usually perfect. It’s only reachable by an amazingly scenic gondola ride.

The park’s amenities include a mini-golf course, climbing wall, zip lines, and one of the largest mazes in Colorado.

With so much to see and do, it’s the kind of attraction that usually takes up significant portions of visitors’ time, so it’s worth spending more than just an hour or two, especially if you’re traveling with kids.