Interpretive Areas

Interpretive Areas Areas

• Aspen-Sopris Ranger District

  Aspen-Sopris manages five Wilderness areas and the spectacular Maroon Bells Recreation Area, the historical Crystal Mill, Ashcroft ghost town, and the small mining town of Marble, CO. This area provides outstanding recreational opportunities including downhill & cross-country skiing, hunting, hiking, camping, rafting, four-wheeling, snowmobiling, and world class fly fishing in gold medal waters. 

  Big game hunters will find numerous rewards with our generous elk and deer populations hosting an estimated 45,000 elk and 80,000 deer within our summer inventory. Our forest rangers offer hundreds of group tours and interpretive presentations throughout the year at our local schools, on the trail, in our campgrounds, and on location at our three visitor centers.

  For visitors unable to visit one of our visitor center locations, please search our Recreation Opportunity Guides for free downloadable road and trail guides for the Aspen-Sopris Ranger District. 

  Recreation areas within this district include: 

  • Aspen Area
  • Basalt Area
  • Carbondale Area
  • Marble Area
  • Snowmass Area
• Aspen Area

  The Aspen area is known for its beautiful peaks over 14,000 feet, majestic wilderness experiences and scenery. There is a large diversity of recreational opportunities available in the area. The Maroon Bells Scenic Area is one of the most iconic areas in Colorado. 

• Discovery #1997/Braille #1995
• Mollie B Campground
• Carbondale Area
  
  
• Marble Area
  
  
• Redstone Area

  Redstone Area

• Blanco Ranger District (East of Meeker, CO)

  There are 352,917 acres of National Forest land within the Blanco District boundaries. Blanco is responsible for management of the historic Flat Tops Wilderness, which encompasses approximately 235,406 acres. District elevation ranges from 6,500 to 12,000.

  The Blanco Ranger District provides access to a wide range of recreational opportunities such as camping, hiking and backpacking.There are nine improved campgrounds, picnic facilities and an abundance of well marked trailheads for access to backcountry and wilderness. The area is well known for outstanding hunting in one of the largest elk herds in North America. 

  View Blanco Ranger District Quicksheets for downloadable Recreation Opportunity Guides.

• Ripple Creek Overlook Interpretive Site
• Meeker Area

  This includes areas south and east of Meeker, outside of the Flat Tops Wilderness.

• Boathouse Interpretive Site
• Dillon Ranger District

  Located in the beautiful summit county. There are four ski resorts in the area and a nordic center as well as multiple opportunities for hiking, biking, camping and finding solitude. For whitewater enthusiasts rafting and kayaking may be enjoyed at several sites in the area. 

  For an overview of recreational opportunities, go to the Dillon Ranger District Recreation Map.

• Breckenridge Interpretive Area
• Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District (Vail-Eagle area)

  The Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District lies between the Gore Range, the Sawatch Range, and the Flat Tops, and includes the forest areas surrounding the towns of Vail, Avon, Red Cliff, Eagle, Gypsum, and Dotsero. Recreation opportunities abound on the Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District.

  View Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District Recreation Quicksheets for downloadable Recreation Opportunity Guides, maps and other information. 

  See below for information on recreation activities of all sorts.

• Eagle Area

  The area south of the town of Eagle and I-70, accessed primarily by Brush Creek Road. This area is part of the Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District.

• Brown's Loop #1874
• Yeoman Park Discovery Trailhead
• SE Flat Tops Area

  The SE Flat Tops Area is north of Dotsero and I-70, and is primarily accessed by Forest Service Roads heading northwest off of the Colorado River Road between Dotsero and Burns. This area is part of the Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District.

• Deep Creek Observation Site
• Vail Area

  The eastern portion of the Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District surrounding the towns of Vail, Avon, and Redcliff, including the east side of the Holy Cross Wilderness and the west side of the Eagles Nest Wilderness.

• Beaver Creek Ski Resort
• Camp Hale National Historic Site
• Nature Discovery Center atop Vail Mountain
• Vail Ski Resort
• Cayton Gulch #2162
• Cayton Trailhead
• Lake Fork #2172