Red Feather Lakes, CO Weather Cams
Bull Mountain (Looking Southeast Toward Red Feather Lakes)
Ramona Lake looking South
Red Feather Lakes (via Larimer County)
Killpecker
Red Feather Lakes: From Tie Hacks to Mountain Retreat in Colorado’s Northern Rockies
Red Feather Lakes, Colorado Weather Cams. Tucked into the Roosevelt National Forest northwest of Fort Collins, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado, is a rustic mountain village with a history as colorful as its name. From Indigenous trails and timber camps to a 1920s resort boom and modern-day recreation, the story of Red Feather Lakes is one of reinvention, resilience, and reverence for the land.
Indigenous Presence and Early Exploration
Long before settlers arrived, the area that would become Red Feather Lakes was part of the seasonal range of Indigenous peoples, including the Ute and Arapaho. These groups traversed the high country for hunting and gathering, leaving behind trails and cultural imprints that predate written history.
By the mid-19th century, only occasional trappers and hunters passed through the region. The first known permanent settler was John Hardin, who built a cabin around 1871, about two miles from the present-day village. Many of Hardin’s descendants homesteaded nearby, forming the nucleus of a small ranching and logging community.
Timber, Tie Hacks, and the Railroad Connection
In the late 1800s, the area’s dense forests became a valuable resource for the expanding railroad network. “Tie hacks”—loggers who specialized in cutting railroad ties—harvested timber and hauled it to Tie Siding, Wyoming, where it was used in the construction of the transcontinental railroad. This early industry carved out trails that would later become roads and laid the groundwork for future settlement.
The first government survey in 1879 recorded only one lake—Creedmore Lake—though the area would eventually be dotted with dozens of man-made and natural lakes. Water rights and irrigation ditches became contentious issues in the early 20th century, culminating in a 1921 Supreme Court decision that awarded much of the diverted water to Wyoming claimants.
Gold Fever and Ghost Towns
In 1886, gold was discovered a few miles south of present-day Red Feather Lakes, leading to the founding of the town of Manhattan in 1887. Though the town briefly boomed to a population of 300, the gold proved elusive, and Manhattan faded into ghost town status by the early 20th century.
Meanwhile, the Red Feather area remained sparsely populated but began to attract attention for its scenic beauty and cool summer climate.
The Birth of a Mountain Resort
The idea of Red Feather Lakes as a resort community took shape in the late 1910s. In 1920, a group of Fort Collins businessmen—including B.H. Princell, Marvin James, and Myron Akin—formed the Red Feather Mountain Lakes Association. Their goal was to develop a summer retreat for urban dwellers, complete with cabins, recreational amenities, and a sense of rustic charm.
The association was incorporated in 1923, and by the mid-1920s, dozens of cabins had been built. The name “Red Feather” was inspired by Princess Tsianina Redfeather Blackstone, a Native American singer who toured with composer Charles Wakefield Cadman. A legend—likely apocryphal—claimed her grandfather, Chief Redfeather, was buried in the area.
The developers had grand plans: a golf course, tennis courts, rodeo grounds, rifle range, and even a ranch school. Though not all of these materialized, the village quickly became a popular summer destination for families from Fort Collins and beyond.
Depression, Decline, and Revival
The Great Depression hit Red Feather Lakes hard. Land sales plummeted, and the original development company went through several reorganizations. In the mid-1930s, financier John Ross foreclosed on the property, and his daughter, Mary Ross Quaintance, eventually took over management.
Despite the economic downturn, the community endured. In 1941, the Red Feather Sportsman Club was formed to promote fishing and outdoor recreation. By 1947, the Red Feather Storage and Irrigation Company had acquired most of the lakes and water rights, while the Colorado Game & Fish Commission took over management of Dowdy, Westlake, and Bellaire Lakes.
The 1950s brought renewed interest in the area, and by the 1960s, improved roads made Red Feather Lakes more accessible. The Red Feather Lakes Property Owners Association played a key role in advocating for infrastructure improvements and preserving the area’s character.
A Village in the Forest
Today, Red Feather Lakes is an unincorporated community with a population of around 426. It features general stores, a library, restaurants, and a post office, all nestled among towering pines and shimmering lakes. The village is surrounded by Roosevelt National Forest, offering year-round recreation from hiking and fishing to snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
The area’s whimsical side is on display along Gnome Road (also known as Elf Lane), where ceramic gnomes and fairy doors peek out from trees and boulders. Local traditions like the annual Independence Day celebration and tours of the historic Robinson Cabin keep the community spirit alive.
Larimer County: The Broader Context
Red Feather Lakes lies within Larimer County, one of Colorado’s original 17 counties, established in 1861 and named for William Larimer, Jr., a founder of Denver. Unlike many Colorado counties shaped by mining, Larimer’s early economy was rooted in agriculture and irrigation. Fort Collins, the county seat, grew from a military outpost into a thriving university town and cultural hub.
The county’s diverse geography includes the eastern plains, the foothills, and the high country of the Roosevelt and Arapaho National Forests. Red Feather Lakes represents the county’s mountain frontier—a place where history, nature, and community converge.
A Living Legacy
As Red Feather Lakes celebrates over a century of community, it remains a testament to the enduring appeal of Colorado’s high country. Whether casting a line in Ramona Lake, hiking to Lady Moon, or simply sipping coffee on a cabin porch, visitors and residents alike find something timeless in this quiet corner of the Rockies.
It’s a place where the past lingers in the scent of pine and the echo of a loon’s call—and where the future is shaped by those who cherish its wild, whimsical charm.
For more information, visit the Red Feather Lakes, Colorado official website.