Major city · United States
Lyons, ColoradoLyons
Half a day or a meal stop between Boulder and Estes Park. Not a base: one night if you want quiet and a craft beer.
Lyons is a small town (1.2 sq mi) on the North St. Vrain Creek, 15 minutes from Estes Park and 25 minutes from Boulder. It has a handful of cafés, a music festival scene and a few motels. Most travellers pass through on the way to Rocky Mountain National Park.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Dec–Feb (cold, some places close)
- Airport
- DEN
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Lyons, Colorado911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Town of Lyons non-emergency303-823-6622
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Lyons, Colorado, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 303-823-6622 Town of Lyons non-emergency
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportDEN Denver International Airport (About 1 h 15 min drive via I-25 and US-66; toll road E-470 optional).
- Getting aroundWalkable town centre.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–5
- BeerDraft beer (pint)$6–8
- Budget bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$80
- Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$120
- High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$180
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$120 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- DEN Denver International Airport (About 1 h 15 min drive via I-25 and US-66; toll road E-470 optional)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Feb
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Mar
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Apr
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
May
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Nov
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Dec
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C) low), wettest May (11 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Lyons, Colorado: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
5 rd
Feb
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
6 rd
Mar
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
8 rd
Apr
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
9 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
11 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
9 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
9 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
9 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
7 rd
Oct
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
6 rd
Nov
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
5 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walkable town centre. A car is needed for the region; bike rentals available in season.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 15–20 min
US-36 northwest, about 15 min by car
Gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park.
Door to door: 25–30 min
US-36 southeast, about 25 min by car
Pearl Street Mall, hiking at Chautauqua.
Door to door: 40–50 min
US-36 to I-25 north, about 40 min by car
Brewery tours and Old Town.
Rocky Mountain National Park
goDoor to door: 30–40 min
US-36 through Estes Park, about 30 min to the Beaver Meadows entrance
Timed entry permits required in peak season (check).
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Main Street / US-36 corridor
Walk to the brewery and cafés; motels and a lodge.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–90 excl. bed
- Mid
- $90–150 excl. bed
- High
- $150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room1 × 1 night × US$120 | US$120 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Meal at Oskar Blues (burger + beer)2 × US$25 | US$50 |
| Coffee + pastry at Stone Cup Cafe2 × US$10 | US$20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$43 |
| Trip total≈ US$237 per person per day, bed included | US$473 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and car rental excluded.
Prices of common things
| Draft beer (pint) | $6–8 |
| Burger at Oskar Blues | $14–18 |
| Coffee | $3–5 |
| Motel double room | $80–180 per night |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Rockygrass and Lyons Outdoor Games fill motels months ahead — book early.
- Some restaurants close early (by 20:00) outside summer.Some restaurants close early (by 8:00 PM) outside summer.
- US-36 can be slow on summer weekends; check traffic before heading to Estes Park.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Town of Lyons non-emergency
- 303-823-6622
Pocket card
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Lyons, ColoradoLyons
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
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Take me to this addressTake me to this address
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Town of Lyons non-emergency303-823-6622
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- DEN → Lyons (car): about 1 h 15 min, toll road optional
- Lyons → Estes Park (car): about 15 min
- Lyons → Boulder (car): about 25 min
Say or show
- Hello — Hello
- Thank you — Thank you
- How much? — How much?
- One beer, please — One beer, please
English is universal.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Lyons, Colorado. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Dec–Feb (cold, some places close) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Oskar Blues, Redstone Museum, and the festivals with verified hours and ticket links.
- Walking route: Main Street loop with café and brewery stops.
- Seasonal closure fixtures for restaurants and the motel.
Sources
Ask about Lyons, Colorado
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