Clear Creek Ranger District, near Idaho Springs
Located along the I-70 corridor of Clear Creek County in the town of Idaho Springs, Clear Creek Ranger District manages approximately 200,000 acres in four different counties. Come climb a mountain 14,000 feet above the ocean's tides, take a relaxing drive through the Rocky Mountains, or wet your fishing line in one of the many alpine lakes and streams.
At a Glance
Current Conditions: | Clear Creek Ranger District Road Status |
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Reservations: | View Campgrounds At-A-Glance table to quickly view what sites are reserveable. |
Permit Info: | Firewood permits are available online. Trees are not precut or limbed and designated areas are not available. |
Usage: | Medium-Heavy |
Closest Towns: | Idaho Springs, CO; Georgetown, CO; Empire, CO |
Operated By: | Forest Service |
Activities
Mountain Biking
Mountain biking is a popular activity on Clear Creek Ranger District. Hundreds miles of forest roads and trails are open to mountain biking. In addition to lands of the Arapaho National Forest, other local public land agencies offer many more miles of mountain biking single track trails, such as Clear Creek County Open Space or Jefferson County Open Space.
Areas for Mountain Biking at Clear Creek Ranger District, near Idaho Springs
- Bakerville-Loveland (#60)
- Bakerville/Loveland Trailhead
- Barbour Fork Trailhead
- Bard Creek (#83)
- Bill Moore Lake/Empire Loop
- Cub Creek (#40)
- Devil's Canyon
- Fall River Reservoir
- Jones Pass Trailhead
- Kingston Peak
- Loch Lomond
- Waldorf Road- Argentine Central Railroad
- Watrous Gulch
Road Cycling
Areas for Road Cycling at Clear Creek Ranger District, near Idaho Springs
Campground Camping
Clear Creek Ranger District offers eight developed campgrounds. All are accessed from the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway, Guanella Pass Scenic Byway, I-70 and Colorado Highways 40, 103, and 119). Individual operating seasons vary, however season dates range from mid-May through mid-October.
Reservation Info | Six of Clear Creek Ranger District's campgrounds offer reservable campsites, and all campgrounds offer at least some sites for first come, first served. Campground reservations are made through the National Recreation Reservation Service at 1-877-444-6777 or online at www.recreation.gov |
Fire Information | Campfires are allowed in the fire ring provided, dead and down wood may be gathered from the forest if available. Wood may also be purchased from the hosts. |
Areas for Campground Camping at Clear Creek Ranger District, near Idaho Springs
- Clear Lake Campground
- Cold Springs Campground
- Columbine Campground
- Echo Lake Campground
- Guanella Pass Campground
- Mizpah Campground
- Pickle Gulch Group Campground
- West Chicago Creek Campground
Dispersed Camping
With a few exceptions, dispersed camping is allowed on National Forest System lands. Restrictions protect resources, minimize road damage, and reduce conflicts between landowners and visitors. Camping is limited to 14 consecutive days in one location. After 14 days, the campsite must be moved a minimum of three miles. Camping can then continue for another 14 days. Camping is restricted to 28 days in any 60-day period. Some areas may require the use of designated campsites. The Clear Creek Ranger District has a mix of private land and forest land. It is your responsibility to know if you are on private or public land.
Areas for Dispersed Camping at Clear Creek Ranger District, near Idaho Springs
- Beartrack Lakes (#43)
- Bill Moore Lake/Empire Loop
- Devil's Canyon
- Fall River Reservoir
- Kingston Peak
- Loch Lomond
- Saxon Mountain
- Waldorf Road- Argentine Central Railroad
- Yankee Hill
Cabin Rentals
Areas for Cabin Rentals at Clear Creek Ranger District, near Idaho Springs
Lake and Pond Fishing
Areas for Lake and Pond Fishing at Clear Creek Ranger District, near Idaho Springs
- Beartrack Lakes (#43)
- Chicago Lakes (#52)
- Clear Lake Campground
- Clear Lake Picnic Site
- Echo Lake Campground
- Hassell Lake (#84)
- Loch Lomond
River and Stream Fishing
Areas for River and Stream Fishing at Clear Creek Ranger District, near Idaho Springs
Day Hiking
Clear Creek Ranger District offers hundreds of miles of trails for hiking. Trails in Wilderness Areas are restricted to non-mechanized modes of travel, such as hiking or horseback riding. Trails are often busy on weekends and trailhead parking is often limited.
Fire Information | Campfires in the James Peak Wilderness are prohibited year round. For all other areas : Unless seasonal restrictions are in effect, campfires must be attended at all times and cold to the touch with the bare hand before being abandoned. Collection of dead and down wood is allowed; do not break branches from standing trees for firewood. |
Areas for Day Hiking at Clear Creek Ranger District, near Idaho Springs
- Alpine Gardens Loop (#49)
- Bakerville-Loveland (#60)
- Bakerville/Loveland Trailhead
- Barbour Fork Trailhead
- Bard Creek (#83)
- Beartrack Lakes (#43)
- Beaver Meadows (#44)
- Berthoud Pass Trailhead
- Bierstadt Trailhead
- Butler Gulch
- Camp Rock Trailhead
- Captain Mountain (#46)
- Captain Mountain Trailhead
- Chicago Lakes (#52)
- Chief Mountain (#58)
- Chief Mountain Trailhead
- Cub Creek (#40)
- Cub Creek Trailhead
- Echo Lake Trailhead
- Fire Lookout on Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain
- Grays Peak (#54)
- Grays Peak Trailhead
- Guanella Pass Trailhead
- Hassell Lake (#84)
- Hells Hole (#53)
- Hells Hole Trailhead
- Herman Gulch (#98)
- Herman Gulch Trailhead
- Jones Pass Trailhead
- Kingston Peak
- Loch Lomond
- Lost Creek (#42)
- Loveland Pass Trailhead
- Lower Goliath Trailhead
- Lower Maxwell Falls Trailhead
- Maxwell Falls Lower (#111)
- Maxwell Falls Upper (#111)
- Mount Bierstadt (#711)
- Mount Blue Sky - West Ridge via Mount Spalding
- Mount Blue Sky NRT (#51)
- Mount Blue Sky Recreation Area & Scenic Byway
- Mount Blue Sky Summit / Interpretive Site
- Mt. Goliath Natural Area/Dos Chappell Nature Ctr.
- M. Walter Pesman (#50)
- Summit Lake Park
- Resthouse Meadows (#57)
- Silver Dollar Lake (#79)
- Silver Dollar Lake Trailhead
- South Chicago Creek (#90)
- South Chicago Creek Trailhead
- St. Mary's Glacier Trailhead
- Summit Lake Trailhead
- Upper Goliath Trailhead
- Upper Maxwell Falls Trailhead
- Watrous Gulch
- Watrous Gulch (#95)
Backpacking
Clear Creek Ranger District offers hundreds of miles of trails for hiking and backpacking. Trails in Wilderness Areas are restricted to non-mechanized modes of travel, such as hiking or horseback riding. Hiking in the Mount Evans Wilderness requires a free mandatory self-issuing permit. Free permits are available at each trailhead or entry point into the wilderness. Trails are often busy on weekends and trailhead parking is often limited.
Fire Information | Campfires in the James Peak Wilderness are prohibited year round. For all other areas : Unless seasonal restrictions are in effect, campfires must be attended at all times and cold to the touch with the bare hand before being abandoned. Collection of dead and down wood is allowed; do not break branches from standing trees for firewood. |
Areas for Backpacking at Clear Creek Ranger District, near Idaho Springs
- Bard Creek (#83)
- Beartrack Lakes (#43)
- Beaver Meadows (#44)
- Berthoud Pass Trailhead
- Bierstadt Trailhead
- Captain Mountain (#46)
- Chicago Lakes (#52)
- Cub Creek (#40)
- Cub Creek Trailhead
- Grays Peak (#54)
- Grays Peak Trailhead
- Guanella Pass Trailhead
- Hells Hole (#53)
- Hells Hole Trailhead
- Herman Gulch (#98)
- Herman Gulch Trailhead
- Jones Pass Trailhead
- Lost Creek (#42)
- Resthouse Meadows (#57)
- Silver Dollar Lake (#79)
- Silver Dollar Lake Trailhead
- South Chicago Creek (#90)
- South Chicago Creek Trailhead
- St. Mary's Glacier Trailhead
- Summit Lake Trailhead
- Upper Goliath Trailhead
- Watrous Gulch (#95)
Horse Riding
Clear Creek Ranger District and other local public land management agencies have many miles of trails accessible to equestrian uses. Few sites offer equestrian-specific facilities. A few areas or trails prohibit horses. Sites listed here are selected for ample parking with space for turning around trailers, or those that are generally popular for horseback riding. All livestock feed must be compliant with Order Number R2-2005-01 Weed Free Forest Products Order, linked here: http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/news/weed_free_order/WEED_FREE_ORDER_06202005.shtm
Size Restrictions | No |
Corrals | No |
Loading Ramp | No |
Hitching Rails | No |
Water Availability | No |
Areas for Horse Riding at Clear Creek Ranger District, near Idaho Springs
Viewing Wildlife
Areas for Viewing Wildlife at Clear Creek Ranger District, near Idaho Springs
- Clear Lake Campground
- Mount Blue Sky Recreation Area & Scenic Byway
- Mount Blue Sky Summit / Interpretive Site
- Summit Lake Park
Viewing Plants
Areas for Viewing Plants at Clear Creek Ranger District, near Idaho Springs
Viewing Scenery
Areas for Viewing Scenery at Clear Creek Ranger District, near Idaho Springs
- Alpine Gardens Loop (#49)
- Berthoud Pass Trailhead
- Bierstadt Trailhead
- Big Bend Picnic Site
- Chicago Forks Picnic Site
- Chief Mountain (#58)
- Clear Creek Picnic Site
- Clear Lake Picnic Site
- Cloudland Picnic Site
- Cold Springs Picnic Area
- Fire Lookout on Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain
- Guanella Pass Trailhead
- Juniper Pass Picnic Site
- Mount Blue Sky NRT (#51)
- Mount Blue Sky Recreation Area & Scenic Byway
- Mount Blue Sky Summit / Interpretive Site
- Summit Lake Park
- Pickle Gulch Group Picnic Site
- Ponder Point Picnic Site
- Summit Lake Trailhead
- Upper Goliath Trailhead
- West Chicago Creek Picnic Site
OHV Road Riding
Areas for OHV Road Riding at Clear Creek Ranger District, near Idaho Springs
Target Shooting
Interpretive Areas
Areas for Interpretive Areas at Clear Creek Ranger District, near Idaho Springs
Picnicking
Areas for Picnicking at Clear Creek Ranger District, near Idaho Springs
- Big Bend Picnic Site
- Chicago Forks Picnic Site
- Clear Creek Picnic Site
- Clear Lake Picnic Site
- Cloudland Picnic Site
- Cold Springs Picnic Area
- Juniper Pass Picnic Site
- Ponder Point Picnic Site
- West Chicago Creek Picnic Site
Group Picnicking
Areas for Group Picnicking at Clear Creek Ranger District, near Idaho Springs
Scenic Driving
Areas for Scenic Driving at Clear Creek Ranger District, near Idaho Springs
Skiing/Snowboarding
Areas for Skiing/Snowboarding at Clear Creek Ranger District, near Idaho Springs
- Berthoud Pass Trailhead
- Jones Pass Trailhead
- Loveland Basin, Loveland Valley
- Loveland Pass Trailhead
XC Skiing/Snowshoeing
Areas for XC Skiing/Snowshoeing at Clear Creek Ranger District, near Idaho Springs
- Bakerville-Loveland (#60)
- Bakerville/Loveland Trailhead
- Bard Creek (#83)
- Berthoud Pass Trailhead
- Bierstadt Trailhead
- Bill Moore Lake/Empire Loop
- Butler Gulch
- Captain Mountain (#46)
- Chicago Lakes (#52)
- Chief Mountain (#58)
- Echo Lake Trailhead
- Fire Lookout on Mestaa’ėhehe Mountain
- Grays Peak (#54)
- Grays Peak Trailhead
- Hells Hole (#53)
- Hells Hole Trailhead
- Herman Gulch (#98)
- Herman Gulch Trailhead
- Jones Pass Trailhead
- Lower Maxwell Falls Trailhead
- Maxwell Falls Lower (#111)
- Maxwell Falls Upper (#111)
- Resthouse Meadows (#57)
- Silver Dollar Lake (#79)
- Silver Dollar Lake Trailhead
- Upper Maxwell Falls Trailhead
- Watrous Gulch (#95)
Snowmobiling
Areas for Snowmobiling at Clear Creek Ranger District, near Idaho Springs