Autumn Activities in the Area: More Reasons to Fall for Barefoot.

By now, you likely know about all the things to do IN Barefoot Lakes (the pool, the sports courts, the trails and yes, the two lakes). But another great part about living here is all the things to do AROUND the community. Especially during the fall. So we’ve put together a little list to get you started on your autumn adventures. (Spoiler alert: none involve pumpkin spice.)

Rocky Mountain National Park is just 55 minutes from Barefoot, and one of Colorado’s treasures. It’s also super-easy to get to: Highway 66 (the exit to Barefoot off I-25) leads right to the entrance of the park. See the breathtaking fall colors on one of the many trails available (and suitable for every skill level). On your way there, stop in quaint Estes Park — you might even see a herd of elk as they cross a mountain meadow, or even a local golf course. (And if you hear a loud trumpeting sound? That’s the males trying to get some attention from the ladies.) While you’re in the area, you can visit a piece of history at the Stanley Hotel. Built in 1909, it’s a piece of the past, and was the inspiration for Stephen King’s “The Shining.” Fans of the paranormal — or the movie — can even take a ghost tour or spend the night in a haunted guest room (like #217, if you dare). Need some liquid courage? The whiskey bar has over 1,000 varieties to take the edge off.

Speaking of scary, through October 30 you can head to Terror in the Corn at Anderson Farms. Just 15 minutes from Barefoot Lakes in Erie, it’s a mile-long maze of mayhem that leads you to a haunted town. Feel like something a little less frightening? Anderson Farms also hosts a Fall Festival and pumpkin patch, with a (zombie-free) corn maze, pumpkin cannon, wagon rides, farm animals and more.

Other pumpkin patches in the area include the October Festival and seasonal farm stand at Rocky Mountain Pumpkin Patch, 15 minutes away, where weekends during October offer kiddie rides, a petting zoo, food trucks and face painting. And Miller Farms, open daily from 9am–6pm (and just 3 miles east of Barefoot on Highway 66), which offers a whole harvest of fall veggies, including squash, potatoes, onions and more, in addition to pumpkins. Visiting tip: leave plenty of time to enjoy the corn maze, tractor rides, kids’ play areas and the “Croc Pit” — which is full of thousands and thousands of chopped up Crocs (the shoe-kind, not the reptile-kind).

Those looking for a fall farmers’ market will find them in both Longmont and Boulder, through at least mid-November. Held every Saturday (in Longmont from 8am–1pm, and Boulder from 8am–2pm), they’re the perfect place to see, taste and buy food, arts and crafts from local artisans.

Those in search of a new favorite night out will love the options nearby. Wild Cider is a cidery in Firestone with majestic views of Longs Peak and the front range, special events, and locally brewed ciders in a variety of flavors. (Visit soon, though. They’re only open through October.) The Silver Spur is known in the area for their homemade bread and pizza. Peel Handcrafted Pizza offers great food and live music. Mountain Cowboy Brewing Company in Frederick offers brews of the beer and coffee kind, along with great bites, too. And for a special night out, 24 Carrot Bistro in Erie is known for their farm-to-table dishes that will impress any foodie, and Martinis Bistro in Longmont has a special-occasion-worthy outdoor patio. Want to make a whole day of it? Head to Longmont for craft beers at Left Hand Brewing or Oskar Blues Taproom & Brewery. Then hop on the LoBo bike trail into Boulder for a change of scenery (the list of things to do there deserves its own dedicated blog post).

And this is just a sampling of what our surroundings offer. Once you’re a “Barefoot Lakes-ian,” you’ll get to go out and discover your own favorite places. And we can’t wait to hear about them all.