This Beloved Colorado Cafe Is Worth A Road Trip For Its Famous Mile-High Pies And Fresh Treats

A young bear once tore through a screen and climbed inside this little pie shop, all for a blueberry pie. Honestly, I can’t blame it.

The building sits along a mountain highway in Colorado, between Boulder and the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. Inside, the shelves hold jams, honey, candy, and a classic cherry pie with an all-butter crust.

I like how this place mixes roadside charm with serious baking. The family behind it traces its cherry story back to 1929, in the Wisconsin countryside.

That’s nearly a century of practice turning tart fruit into something worth stopping for.

Cherry pie is the star, but bison pot pie and cherry ice cream make strong cases too. There’s also a back patio facing a forested hillside.

So how many slices should one road trip really include?

Cherry Pie Is The Reason To Hit The Brakes

Tart Montmorency cherries are the backbone of the signature pie at Colorado Cherry Company at Lyons. They get baked inside a classic all-butter crust, the old-fashioned way.

That combo matters more than it sounds. Tart cherries keep the filling bright instead of syrupy, so each bite tastes like actual fruit.

The family has been working on cherry pies for generations, and it shows in how many versions exist. Cherry Streusel adds a crumbly topping for anyone who likes extra texture.

Cherry Berry mixes strawberry, blueberry, and cherry into one colorful filling. It’s a smart pick if your group can’t agree on a single fruit.

A slice works great for a quick break on the drive. Whole pies are available too, so nobody back home has to miss out.

A gluten-free cherry pie is offered as well, which is a thoughtful touch. Friends with dietary needs can join the pie party instead of just watching.

Don’t overthink the order on a first visit. The pie this company is named after deserves the first fork.

The Pie Case Goes Way Beyond Cherry

Blueberry, apple, French Silk, Key Lime, and Chocolate Peanut Butter all share the menu with the famous cherry. That’s a lot of decisions for one stop.

Fruit fans have plenty to like here. Classic Blueberry and Apple pies keep things traditional, while a caramel apple version brings a sweeter twist.

Cream pie lovers aren’t left out either. French Silk leans rich and chocolatey, and Key Lime offers a tangy break from all that fruit.

Then there’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie, which sounds like a dessert built for road trips. It’s the kind of flavor that makes a long drive feel a little shorter.

Mini pies and hand pies make things easier when you’re traveling. They fit in one hand and don’t require a table, plates, or a plan.

Groups should grab a few different slices and share them. Everyone gets a taste, and nobody has to commit to just one flavor.

Seasonal choices may rotate, so the case might look different on your next visit. That’s a pretty good excuse to come back.

Pies can also be served warm at the Lyons shop. A warm slice on a cool mountain afternoon is hard to argue with.

Lunch Counts Here, Thanks To Bison Pot Pie

Bison in a pot pie sounds like peak Colorado, and that’s exactly what’s on the menu. It sits next to a classic Chicken Pot Pie for anyone who wants comfort food.

These savory pies turn a dessert stop into a real meal. That’s handy when you’re heading up to the mountains and need more than sugar.

Vegetarian savory pies are part of the mix too. So the whole carload can eat lunch here, not just the meat lovers.

Hand-held pocket pies add more options, including a green chili pork version. They’re easy to eat on a bench or in the passenger seat.

A bison chili also shows up on the menu for a warm, hearty bowl. Cold mornings in the foothills make that sound extra appealing.

Colorado Cherry Company at Lyons stands out among the brand’s shops for its hot food and dine-in space. Other locations focus more on take-home pies.

Treat savory pie as lunch and fruit pie as dessert. That’s a balanced meal by road trip standards, anyway.

Popular items can sell out later in the day. Stopping earlier gives you a better shot at the bison.

Save Room For Cherry Ice Cream And A Cold Soda

Cherry ice cream with chunks of fruit might be the sneakiest star at this shop. Pie gets the headlines, but the freezer case deserves attention too.

Ordering a slice a la mode is the obvious move. Warm pie and cold ice cream have been best friends for a very long time.

On the drink side, old-fashioned black cherry soda keeps everything on theme. Cherry Italian sodas with cream are on offer too.

Coffee and tea round out the counter for anyone who needs a lift before the mountain drive. Hot apple cider is a cozy pick when the weather turns chilly.

The shop also carries a big lineup of fruit juices, including tart cherry juice. Sampling is sometimes available, which helps you choose a favorite to take home.

Salt water taffy, fudge, and chocolate-covered cherries live here as well. Kids will spot those before you even reach the counter.

My rule? Never leave a cherry shop without at least one cherry-flavored thing.

Grab napkins either way. Melting ice cream and flaky crust aren’t known for staying neat.

A Family Recipe Box That Started In 1929

Long before Colorado, the story began at a Wisconsin cherry stand in 1929. Oswald and Katherine Lehnert sold cherries there.

Katherine baked the pies, and Oswald made cherry cider. It was a simple setup with a lot of heart.

Those traditions eventually moved west. The family opened its first Colorado location in Loveland in the 1960s.

Today, the business is run by the fourth generation of the same family. That’s rare for any company, never mind one built on pie.

The brand now has several shops around the state, including a cafe inside the historic Stanley Hotel. A bakery in Windsor handles much of the baking.

Knowing that history makes a slice feel a bit different. You’re tasting recipes shaped by nearly a hundred years of practice.

I believe that kind of continuity is worth celebrating. Plenty of roadside shops come and go, but this family kept showing up with pie.

Colorado Cherry Company at Lyons carries that legacy into the foothills. It’s a small building with a surprisingly long backstory.

Next time you bite into a cherry slice, give a nod to Katherine. She got this whole thing rolling.

Even A Bear Couldn’t Resist The Blueberry Pie

A young bear recently ripped through a screen and climbed into the shop. Its goal was a blueberry pie.

That’s not a story you could make up. It made the news, and it says a lot about how tempting this place must smell.

Bears are part of life in the foothills, so the visit wasn’t a total shock. Still, few bakeries can claim a furry customer that determined.

The company has worked to bear-proof the older building. Stronger doors and windows help keep the wildlife outside where it belongs.

For humans, the lesson is simple. Never leave pie in an unlocked car while you’re in bear country.

Keep food sealed and stored properly, especially around trailheads and campsites near Rocky Mountain National Park. Rangers will thank you, and so will the bears.

I can’t imagine a better endorsement than a bear breaking in for dessert. No five-star rating beats that kind of commitment.

Just remember that you can walk through the front door. The bear did it the hard way.

The tale also makes a great one to tell when you hand someone a slice. Instant conversation starter, no extra charge.

Browse The Shelves Before You Grab The Car Keys

Jams, jellies, salsas, honey, hot sauces, and candy pack the general store side of the shop. It’s easy to come for pie and leave with a full bag.

Many products lean on cherries, of course. Tart cherry pie filling is a fun pick if you want to try baking at home.

Locally made chocolates and elk jerky add some Colorado flavor to the shelves. They make solid snacks for the rest of the drive.

Gifts and souvenirs are mixed in too, including cherry-themed goods and T-shirts. One even celebrates the chicken pot pie.

The decor plays along with cherry cutouts and cherry curtains. It’s cheerful without trying too hard.

Shopping here is a handy way to cover birthday or hostess gifts. A jar of jam beats a gas station keychain every time.

Juices, preserves, and pie fillings can also ship across the country through the company. So you can restock long after the trip.

My tip is to shop last. That way your jars aren’t rolling around while you eat.

Budget a few extra minutes for browsing. The shelves hold more than a quick glance can catch.

Grab A Patio Seat With A Forest View

Out back, a patio faces a forested hillside. It’s a peaceful spot to slow down with a slice.

Inside seating is available as well, which helps on chilly or windy days. Plenty of parking makes it easy to pull over.

The shop sits at 12311 N St Vrain Dr, Lyons, CO 80540, right along Highway 36. It’s in the Pinewood Springs area, between Lyons and Estes Park.

That location makes it a natural stop on the way to Rocky Mountain National Park. It also works well on the drive back to Boulder or Denver.

Mountain views add to the charm. After a long hike, a pie on the patio feels well earned.

I like that this stop rewards you for slowing down. Highway 36 is pretty, but rushing through it misses the point.

The building isn’t flashy from the road. Keep an eye out for the sign so you don’t zoom past.

Colorado sunshine can be strong at this elevation, so sunscreen is smart even for a quick snack. Pie tastes better without a sunburn.

Plan Your Visit And Bring A Pie Home

Opening hours vary across published listings, so check the current schedule directly with Colorado Cherry Company before visiting.

Busy holiday weekends can pack the place. Coming earlier also improves your odds before popular pies sell out.

Take and Bake options let you finish the job at home. Cherry Pie, Cherry Streusel, Family Chicken Pot Pie, and Bison Pot Pie are among them.

A Gluten-Free Cherry Pie comes in Take and Bake form too. Your kitchen will smell amazing, so maybe close the windows if bears live nearby.

Colorado Cherry Company at Lyons is a strong anchor for a full day trip. Pair it with a hike, a scenic drive, or a stroll through downtown Lyons.

A cooler in the car helps in summer heat. Fruit pies and pot pies travel better when they stay cool.

Honestly, the best road trips include at least one sweet detour. This one might become your favorite tradition in Colorado.

Check hours before heading out, since schedules can shift by season. A quick look saves a sad drive to locked doors.