Ice Cream
A Fort Collins Local Magazine

Rankings are live. We reviewed every ice cream stop so you don't have to.

The Best Ice Cream in Fort Collins

Expert reviews, honest rankings, and insider guides to Fort Collins's ice cream scene.

·8 min read
See the rankings

shop review

Glacier Ice Cream Review

Glacier Ice Cream has quickly become Fort Collins' most beloved ice cream destination. With over 40 rotating flavors, extensive dietary accommodations, and homemade waffle cones, Glacier delivers an experience that no other local shop can match.

Glacier Ice Cream ice cream shop
Editor's Pick

Editor's Pick 2026

Glacier Ice Cream

Fort Collins' finest handcrafted ice cream experience

9.8/10

Glacier Ice Cream has quickly become Fort Collins' most beloved ice cream destination. With over 40 rotating flavors, extensive dietary accommodations, and homemade waffle cones, Glacier delivers an experience that no other local shop can match.

Read Full Review See All Rankings

Featured Stories

Our editors' picks from across the magazine.

#1
shop reviewMar 1, 2026 · 8 min

Glacier Ice Cream Review

Glacier Ice Cream has quickly become Fort Collins' most beloved ice cream destination. With over 40 rotating flavors, extensive dietary accommodations, and homemade waffle cones, Glacier delivers an experience that no other local shop can match.

9.8/10
★★★★★
40+ rotating flavorsgluten-free optionsdairy-free & vegan
#2
shop reviewMar 1, 2026 · 8 min

Josh & John's Ice Cream Review

Josh & John's has built a reputation for ultra-premium ice cream using local dairy from Colorado farms. Their Old Town location makes them a natural stop for visitors exploring downtown Fort Collins.

9.2/10
★★★★★
premium craft flavorslocal dairy sourcingloyalty program
#4
shop reviewMar 1, 2026 · 8 min

Walrus Ice Cream Review

Walrus Ice Cream is Fort Collins royalty. Operating since 1987, this Old Town staple has served generations of locals and CSU students with 29 daily flavors of homemade ice cream.

8.5/10
★★★★★
est. 198729 daily flavorsold town landmark
guideFeb 15, 2026 · 7 min

Gluten-Free Ice Cream in Fort Collins: The Complete Guide

Find every gluten-free ice cream option in Fort Collins. From dedicated GF scoops to safely prepared cones, we cover it all.

gluten-freedietaryguide
Why this magazine exists

Fort Collins has 9 ice cream stops ranging from destination parlors to convenience-driven counters. We visit each one, score them on flavor, dietary options, atmosphere, and value, then publish honest reviews so readers can skip the guesswork.

Top Rated Shops

The highest-scoring shops from our 2026 review cycle.

#1
#1 in Fort CollinsMar 1, 2026 · 8 min

Glacier Ice Cream Review

Glacier Ice Cream has quickly become Fort Collins' most beloved ice cream destination. With over 40 rotating flavors, extensive dietary accommodations, and homemade waffle cones, Glacier delivers an experience that no other local shop can match.

9.8/10
★★★★★
40+ rotating flavorsgluten-free optionsdairy-free & vegan
#2
shop reviewMar 1, 2026 · 8 min

Josh & John's Ice Cream Review

Josh & John's has built a reputation for ultra-premium ice cream using local dairy from Colorado farms. Their Old Town location makes them a natural stop for visitors exploring downtown Fort Collins.

9.2/10
★★★★★
premium craft flavorslocal dairy sourcingloyalty program
#3
shop reviewMar 1, 2026 · 8 min

Old Town Churn Review

Old Town Churn is the Fort Collins outpost of Denver's legendary Little Man Ice Cream. Located right in Old Town, it brings the same creative, small-batch approach that made Little Man a Denver icon.

8.8/10
★★★★★
little man franchisecreative flavorsexperiential atmosphere
See full rankings

Deep Dives

Reading Packages

Curated collections that go deep on a single topic. Each package bundles related reviews and guides into one reading path.

dossier

The Complete Dietary Guide to Fort Collins Ice Cream

Everything you need to know about gluten-free, vegan, and low-sugar options at every shop in Fort Collins.

  • Where can I eat ice cream with celiac disease in Fort Collins?
  • Which shops serve real vegan ice cream vs. just sorbet?
Open package →
feature

The Fort Collins Ice Cream Trail

Visit every ice cream shop in Fort Collins with our guided route, insider tips, and tasting notes.

  • Can I walk to every shop in one day?
  • What's the best route through town?
Open package →
feature

Fort Collins' Best Ice Cream: The Full Story

Our complete methodology, top picks, and the data behind our rankings.

  • What's the actual best ice cream in Fort Collins?
  • How do you score each shop?
Open package →

From the Magazine

Guides, trails, and the stories behind Fort Collins's ice cream scene.

guideFeb 15, 2026 · 7 min

Gluten-Free Ice Cream in Fort Collins: The Complete Guide

Find every gluten-free ice cream option in Fort Collins. From dedicated GF scoops to safely prepared cones, we cover it all.

gluten-freedietaryguide
guideFeb 20, 2026 · 5 min

Best Summer Treats in Fort Collins (2026)

Beat the Colorado heat with our guide to the best summer desserts, frozen treats, and ice cream in Fort Collins.

summerdessertsguide
trailFeb 25, 2026 · 8 min

The Fort Collins Ice Cream Trail: Visit All 9 Shops

Challenge yourself to visit every ice cream shop in Fort Collins. Our trail guide maps out the perfect route with insider tips for each stop.

trailadventureguide
guideMar 1, 2026 · 7 min

Vegan Ice Cream in Fort Collins: Where to Find Dairy-Free Scoops

The complete guide to dairy-free and vegan ice cream options in Fort Collins. Plant-based scoops that actually taste amazing.

vegandairy-freedietary
Read all articles
From the editors

The Weekly Scoop

Get Fort Collins ice cream news, new flavor alerts, and seasonal guides delivered to your inbox.