Eagle: River, Trails, and History

Eagle combines a river running through town with trails through downtown, protected open spaces, and traces of the past. The Eagle River flows through the center; paved trails run through town. Water, activity, local culture, and history offer different starting points for planning your trip.

River and Water Activities

The Eagle River is one of the few remaining free-flowing, undammed rivers in the western United States. Seasonal river activities range from fly fishing and whitewater rafting to whitewater surfing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and tubing. Water levels and the time of year affect conditions, so it’s worth planning river activities around the season.

The outdoor pool at Eagle Pool & Ice Rink features step-free access, two water slides, a lazy river, and a separate six-lane lap pool. The NHL-sized ice rink offers a different seasonal focus: in winter, it hosts the Vail Mountaineers Hockey Club and local high school hockey teams. In Eagle, you can choose between river activities and clearly defined options for swimming and ice hockey.

Trails, Open Spaces, and Parks

Eagle’s trail network includes paved trails through town and unpaved trails that connect to the regional trail system. Eagle Pool & Ice Rink serves as a gateway to several popular trailheads in town. The Eco Eagle Valley Bike Trail runs through downtown Eagle. Around Eagle, mountain bikers can find singletrack trails in the Eastern Recreation Management Zone; the Hardscrabble area is also an option for hiking, with trails of varying difficulty.

Eagle’s open-space program protects natural areas and wildlife habitat. The town owns and manages more than 1,300 acres of open space. From the Eagle Ranch Golf Course Nordic and Snowshoe, you can take in wide views across Brush Creek Valley. These landscape and trail options offer different ways to include nature and activity in your plans.

Eagle Town Park complements the trail network with yoga on the lawn, a family-friendly playground, and shaded picnic areas. Summer concerts are also part of the offering; dates may vary. The park offers different ways to get active, play, or take a break in the shade.

Downtown: Buildings, Art, and Local History

Downtown Eagle is right off Interstate 70 at Exit 147. Many of the oldest buildings in the Eagle River Valley are located here; some date back to the late 19th century. Old Town Hall was built in 1903. Numerous historic information plaques from the Eagle County Historical Society add to these traces of local history.

EagleARTS adds a creative perspective: the center showcases local talent and regional stories. The history of Eagle Flight Days dates back to 1922. Buildings, historic plaques, art, and the long history of the celebration offer different points of interest if you want to explore Eagle beyond its outdoor activities.

Choose the Right Base

If you’re looking for a vacation rental in Eagle, start by considering what you want your days to revolve around: the seasonal river, trails and open spaces, or downtown and its historic buildings. These priorities can help you decide where you’d like to stay in town.

Explore more destinations: Avon, Minturn, Beaver Creek, Vail, Basalt, Edwards.

View the main travel overview: Eagle.