Pueblo, CO, Is a Hot Spot for Outdoor Recreation
In a state known for its mountains and ski towns, Pueblo is gaining attention as Colorado’s premier destination for water recreation. Add in a growing cycling scene, and outdoor sports are having a moment.
“Pueblo is a community with depth. It’s got history, culture, and the outdoors is just right there. It’s often under recognized,” says Adam Davidson, founder and director of Grassroots Gravel, an annual biking event bringing national attention and visitors to the city.
The event, which has sold out each of its first three years, drew over 1,200 registered riders from 24 states and Canada in 2025. Davidson says organizers are planning to cap the 2026 event at 1,500 riders.
Davidson moved to Pueblo 12 years ago. For him, living in a city with outstanding trails is a must.
“Bikes have played a fundamental role in my life’s trajectory,” he says. “I was an obese teenager and lost 85 pounds riding. Biking has been at the core of most of my community organizing and volunteering, too.”
Pueblo’s extensive trail system has two major components, one in the city and the other at the nearby state park. The River Trail is a multiuse path for biking, running and walking that connects to major points in Pueblo and also links with the trails at Lake Pueblo State Park and 45 miles of single track, not including nearby gravel roads.
In This Article
A Natural Flow of Fun
Lake Pueblo State Park lies just west of the city and features 10,000 acres. The centerpiece is Pueblo Reservoir, with 60 miles of shoreline and 4,600 surface acres of water, providing ideal conditions for fishing, boating, sailing, kayaking, hiking and camping.
“It’s one of the biggest lakes in Colorado. It’s not crowded, and the sunrises and sunsets are gorgeous,” says Bob Walker, who owns Edge Ski, Paddle & Pack, an outdoor equipment store downtown.
Walker, who grew up in Pueblo, started downhill skiing at age 2. Successfully adapting his store to his hometown’s evolving recreation scene has kept Walker in business for more than 30 years.
“Pueblo takes its trails and water very seriously. Not everybody has a giant reservoir and pristine, navigable river in their backyard,” Walker says.
Urban Waves at Waterworks Park
Pueblo Reservoir is fed by the Arkansas River which then flows east from Lake Pueblo State Park through Waterworks Park and into downtown Pueblo.
“Waterworks Park is pretty new, but word is already getting out,” says Seth Clayton, executive director, Pueblo Water.
Waterworks Park sits on a quarter-mile stretch of the Arkansas River and features six drop pools, a manmade wave for surfing, two bridges, a viewing island and fish ladders, so trout and other species can move freely upstream to spawn.
For Walker, it means surf gear has become an integral part of his shop’s focus in landlocked Colorado. “Waterworks Park is better than I could have possibly imagined,” he says. “It’s one of those things that we can boast about. It’s showing Pueblo in a whole different light.”
Kayaking, swimming and fishing are also popular on the Arkansas River, which is now fully navigable from Pueblo Reservoir to Runyon Lake, just east of downtown.
The Riverwalk Set the Pace
Embracing the river isn’t a new concept in Pueblo. To revitalize downtown, the city opened the Pueblo Riverwalk in 2000. Winding through the city, the canal system brought transformation with new landscaping, public art, hotels, restaurants and other small businesses.
Today, the Riverwalk spans 32 acres and includes the new Riverwalk Boathouse, which is a launch point for history boat tours down the Arkansas River.
“The Riverwalk is kind of like a ‘dip your toe’ in the outdoor experience here,” Davidson says. “Anyone can be outside next to water in the heart of our amazing downtown.”
Come for the Biking, Stay to Enjoy the Local Culture
Though it’s relatively new, Grassroots Gravel is making an impact.
“In three short years, the biking event has become a huge economic driver for our city,” says Cara Siegel, director of tourism at the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce.
Bikers often bring a support crew of family and friends who, while they may not ride, are eager to shop, dine and support local businesses.
Greater Pueblo has over 3,000 hotel rooms, with about 350 of those rooms downtown, and is home to about 60 locally owned restaurants within a 5-mile radius of downtown.
Pueblo was once a vibrant steel city, attracting immigrants from around the world to work in the mill. “We consider ourselves a melting pot, and that’s translated into the food scene with excellent Italian, Mexican, Chinese and South Asian cuisine and lots of breweries,” Siegel says.
The inclusive spirit extends to Grassroots Gravel. Founder and director Adam Davidson says the race is designed for bikers at every skill level.
“A lot of cycling events are focused on the fast, intense side of the competition,” he says. “That has value, but if we’re looking to welcome new people into the sport, we need to take a different approach.”
Grassroots Gravel takes place the second weekend in October.
“It’s more than a race; it’s also a festival with a free concert. The whole community is invited,” Davidson says.
And when you go, be sure to try the Chile Chomp.
“We have a visitor booth at the festival where bikers can bite into a green chile after they register,” Siegel says. “Pueblo is famous for its green chiles, and you never know if you’ll get mild or hot.” Regardless of the heat level, everyone who chomps gets a free jar of Pueblo-made salsa.