15 Best Things to Do in Fort Morgan (CO)

Fort Morgan is a town of about 11,000 people in Morgan County, Colorado. Due to its rural location on high plains overlooking the South Platte River, Fort Morgan is the perfect vacation destination for people who want to be away from the city but close enough to access it if the need arises. The closest major city is Denver, and that is 70 miles away from Fort Morgan.

Besides being the perfect place for a quiet, relaxing getaway, Fort Morgan is known for many other things, including its many parks and green spaces, agricultural history, a vibrant music scene, and a charming downtown area. It’s also known for once being the home of big-band musician Glenn Miller.

For visitors wanting to get around the region easily, the Amtrak service passes through Fort Morgan.

Various attractions can be found in several nearby towns, including Brush, Orchard, Weldona, and Wiggins. Throughout the year, a variety of special events take place in Fort Morgan, including the Glenn Miller SwingFest, BobStock Music Festival, and the Fall Harvest Car Show.

Below are 15 of the best things to see and do in and around Fort Morgan, Colorado.

1. Pawnee Pioneer Trail Scenic and Historic Byway

Just north of Fort Morgan is a stunning, natural landscape that was once home to Plains Indians. The Pawnee Pioneer Trail Scenic and Historic Byway retraces the route these people traversed across. The little towns across this region were later established and settled by fur trappers, cattle ranchers, and pioneers, who also traveled this route in search of a place to settle.

Along the way, you will pass through the Colorado Piedmont and see soaring Pawnee Buttes. You may also see wildlife, including coyotes, antelope, rattlesnakes, prairie dogs, and many different species of birds. Eventually, you will pass through the Pawnee National Grasslands, which has camping areas and some of the country’s best bird watching.

A hiking trail is situated in this area. The best time to visit is early in the morning or evening when the sky is at its most colorful.

2. Tee off at The Course at Pettey’s Park

Spend a day on the well-kept greens at The Course at Pettey’s Park in nearby Brush. This 9-hole public golf course is one of the best in the entire state due to a combination of the surrounding scenery and unique challenges. On-site amenities include a golf pro shop and The Course Cafe Restaurant and Bar.

3. Jackson Lake State Park

Jackson Lake State Park is the perfect place for the whole family to enjoy an active day outdoors. The large reservoir with its sandy beaches and warm water is the main attraction. Swimming, boating, water-skiing, and fishing are some of the activities you can participate in, and if you would like to spend the night, there are 20 campsites available in the park.

Other amenities include laundry facilities and bathrooms with showers.

4. Rainbow Bridge

Rainbow Bridge, Fort Morgan — Rainbow Bridge

As one of the celebrated Marsh Arch Bridges and one of the last bridges of this kind left, The Rainbow Bridge in Fort Morgan is a popular attraction. These days, you can only walk over the bridge, which has 11 arches and crosses over the scenic South Platte River.

One of the biggest arch bridges in the country, it was recently added to the National Register of Historic Places.

5. Fort Morgan Museum

For visitors who want to learn more about the history and culture of Fort Morgan and the surrounding areas, the best place to start is with a visit to the Fort Morgan Museum. Through a variety of temporary and permanent exhibits, you can learn all about the area and how it came to be.

Exhibits include historical artifacts related to the Plains Indians and local art. There is an entire exhibit dedicated to the life and times of Glenn Miller, who once resided in the town. A museum store is on-site.

6. GoJump Denver Skydiving

If you are the more adventurous type, why not try skydiving over the Fort Morgan area? Go Jump Denver provides the safest skydiving experiences around, and its friendly, professionally-trained experts who will help you gain this experience.

Take in the spectacular views as you climb through the clouds and witness equally stunning views as you plummet back to earth.

7. All About The Smoke BBQ

If delicious food served by friendly staff in a relaxing atmosphere is your idea of a fantastic meal, look no further than All About The Smoke BBQ.

This barbecue restaurant in Fort Morgan serves a variety of dishes made from scratch with the freshest ingredients available. Some of the most popular choices on the menu include slow-smoked brisket, chicken breast, pulled pork, wings, tacos, and a variety of sweet treats for dessert.

8. Little Monkey Bizness

On cold or rainy days, families with children can keep the fun going indoors at Little Monkey Bizness in Westminster. Children under eight years old can enjoy a wide variety of classic amusements, including inflatables, obstacle courses, bouncers, jungle gyms, and play structures.

It’s the perfect place for kids to have fun, keep fit, and make new friends. Also on-site is a designated area for toddlers and infants.

9. The Club Tap

The Club Tap, Fort Morgan — The Club Tap

After a long day of exploring, wind down with a cold beer or cocktail at The Club Tap in Fort Morgan. If you’re not quite ready to wind down come evening, play some billiards, challenge yourself to a game of poker, enjoy a game of beer pong, watch some football on the televisions or dance the night away.

Specials are available every day, and a prime rib dinner special is offered each Thursday night.

10. Gentle Spirit Alpaca Farm

Visitors looking for unique, hand-made clothing and accessories can find quality items at the shop at the Gentle Spirit Alpaca Farm in Wiggins. The shop has a wide variety of beautiful items with luxurious alpaca fibers. The unique thing about this shop is that customers can visit the on-site alpaca farm and meet the Alpacas who supply these beautiful fibers.

Some of the items available for sale include hats, sweaters, gloves, socks, mittens, and vests. There are free knitting patterns available if you would like to get started on your very own projects at home. The 150 alpacas are raised in a loving and caring environment.

11. Pope’s Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze

If you happen to be in the Wiggins area during the fall months, Pope’s Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze offers fun for the whole family.

The highlight of the farm is the ten-acre corn maze, but there are many other attractions, including a cow trail, duck races, a hay mountain slide, hayrides, pedal karts, and a u-pick pumpkin patch. Various events happen throughout the season, including campfires, zombie hunts, and paintball.

12. Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Area

In the nearby Merino region, Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Area has an abundance of outdoor activities and facilities for an adventurous and active day spent in the great outdoors. Within the 3,047 acres of parklands lie a beautiful lake and a combination of grasslands and wetlands areas.

This unique ecosystem is home to various bird and animal species, which are often spotted in the park. On the lake, visitors can enjoy boating and fishing for trout, crappie, catfish, and walleye. A gravel road snakes around the lake and is great for hiking, and free camping is allowed in certain areas around the lake.

On-site amenities include a boat ramp, picnic areas, and bathrooms.

13. The Greeley Family FunPlex

For a wide variety of family fun, visitors can head to The Greeley Family FunPlex to enjoy many different activities – both indoors and outdoors. The on-site Adventure Island Aquatic Park has several waterslides and wave pools.

This is also where you will find the beach entrance. The River Run is a large mini-golf course with 18 holes, and Twin Rivers Park has a large playground. The park’s sports complex has several different facilities catering to various sporting activities.

14. Brush Area Museum and Cultural Center

Nearby Brush is full of interesting history, and you can learn all about it at the Brush Area Museum and Cultural Center, which features exhibits showcasing the Texas-Montana Trail and veterans from Morgan County who served in various military assignments over the years.

The building itself, which was once the Knearl School, is an important landmark in the community.

15. Brush Prairie Ponds State Wildlife Area

Visitors wanting to view the wildlife of the area can do so at the Brush Prairie Ponds State Wildlife Area. There are benches located in the best viewing areas for seeing wildlife with minimal disruption to their habitat and personal space.

You can expect to see a variety of wildlife species, including rabbits, deer, and a variety of birds such as waterfowl and pheasants.