Canyon Lakes Ranger District, west of Fort Collins
Canyon Lakes Ranger District is located in north-central Colorado and encompasses approximately 650,000 acres in the Roosevelt National Forest, mostly in Larimer County. The Canyon Lakes Ranger District offers visitors a variety of recreation opportunities throughout the year, and also provides for traditional uses, such as permits for firewood gathering and grazing. We are home to four Wilderness areas, three national recreation trails, two historic districts, and Colorado’s only Wild and Scenic River.
State Highways 34, 36 and 14 allow for easy access to one of our many hiking trails, campgrounds, four-wheel drive roads, and lakes and streams.
We are currently serving you virtually and we’ll be glad to help you discover the many great reasons to visit your national forest.
Campground reservations are made through the National Recreation Reservation Service at 1-877-444-6777 or online at www.recreation.gov.
Permit Info:
Firewood permitsare sold seasonally for the Canyon Lakes Ranger District. Permits are $20/cord and are valid through December 31, 2020. Submit your request online. For information about where to collect or cut firewood please email or leave a message at 970-295-6700. Please note it may take from several days to two weeks to obtain a permit.
A special use permit is required for all commercial activities and any event with 75 or more people.
Closest Towns:
Fort Collins, CO; Loveland, CO; Wellington, CO; Laporte, CO; Estes Park, CO
Passes:
Interagency Access, Senior and Annual Passes are available online while we are working virtually. Call 970-295-6700 for information on where to purchase an Interagency Pass.
Operated By:
Forest Service
Information Center:
Canyon Lakes Ranger District
2150 Centre Avenue, Building E,
Fort Collins, Colorado 80526
Phone: 970-295-6700, Fax: 970-295-6797
Follow the district on Twitter for recreation updates.
General Information
Directions:
From Interstate 25 to our visitor center in Fort Collins, CO. Take the Prospect Road exit and travel approximately four and one-half miles west. Turn left onto Centre Avenue (south). Our building is located at the third entrance (top of the hill) into the Natural Resources Research Center.
Canyon Lakes District Office and Visitor Center (1st floor) . Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grasslands Headquarters (2nd floor)
Mountain biking is a popular activity on many of the trails within the Canyon Lakes Ranger District. There are a few trails which prohibit biking, for example the Greyrock Trail. Contact the Ranger District office details and remember biking is never allowed in Comanche Peaks, Rawah, Cache la Poudre or Neota Wilderness areas.
Areas for
Mountain Biking
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Canyon Lakes Ranger District, west of Fort Collins
Twenty-one U.S. Forest Service campgrounds with Canyon Lakes Ranger District provide a wide range of camping experiences. Choose between a river or lakeside campsite, a tent site in a meadow, or a spots near a congressionally designated Wilderness Area. A few campgrounds are off the beaten path, but most fill quickly in the summertime. Check to see if the campground accepts reservations and reserve your spot between 180 and 4 days before your arrival.
Areas for
Campground Camping
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Canyon Lakes Ranger District, west of Fort Collins
All but one of the 21 campgrounds within Canyon Lakes Ranger District accept RVs. Grandview campground is a tents only area. Campsite parking lengths vary from 15 to 80 feet. A few campgrounds are off the beaten path, but most fill quickly in the summertime. Check to see if the campground accepts reservations and reserve your spot between 180 and 4 days before your arrival. For last minute campers, call the Ranger District office to learn campground availability.
Areas for
RV Camping
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Canyon Lakes Ranger District, west of Fort Collins
With a few exceptions, you are allowed to camp along most Forest Service roads. In some areas restrictions exist to protect land and wildlife, minimize road damage, and reduce conflicts between landowners and visitors. Note many popular dispersed camping areas are closed due to the impacts of the Cameron Peak Fire.
General Info:
General Notes
Areas for
Dispersed Camping
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Canyon Lakes Ranger District, west of Fort Collins
Numerous rivers and streams provide fishing opportunities throughout the Canyon Lakes Ranger District. Please check with the Colorado Division of Wildlife for information about licenses and regulations: http://wildlife.state.co.us/Fishing/.
Special Designations
Cache la Poudre Wild & Scenic River
Areas for
River and Stream Fishing
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Canyon Lakes Ranger District, west of Fort Collins
Canyon Lakes Ranger District offers hundreds of miles of trails for hiking. In non-wilderness areas you may be sharing the trail with mountain bikers or horseback riders. Trails in Wilderness Areas are restricted to non-mechanized modes of travel, such as hiking or horseback riding. Always carry a map and compass, let someone know where you are going, and when you plan to return, and follow leave no trace principals.
Areas for
Day Hiking
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Canyon Lakes Ranger District, west of Fort Collins
Canyon Lakes Ranger District offers hundreds of miles of trails for backpacking. In non-wilderness areas you may be sharing the trail with mountain bikers or horseback riders. Trails in Wilderness Areas are restricted to non-mechanized modes of travel, such as hiking or horseback riding. There are trails that offer out and back trips and there are trails that link up with other trails to offer loop trips. Always carry a map and compass, let someone know where you are going, and when you plan to return, and follow leave no trace principals.
Areas for
Backpacking
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Canyon Lakes Ranger District, west of Fort Collins
Canyon Lakes Ranger District offers hundreds of miles of trails for horseback riding. In non-wilderness areas you may be sharing the trail with mountain bikers or hikers. Always carry a map and compass, let someone know where you are going, and when you plan to return, and follow leave no trace principals.
Areas for
Horse Riding
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Canyon Lakes Ranger District, west of Fort Collins
Multiple Game Management Units (GMUs) are located within the Canyon Lakes Ranger District Boundary, including 191, 7, 8, 19, and 20. For details about hunting seasons, please refer to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
2021 Information:
There is still a closure in place in some areas due to the Cameron Peak Fire. Check the latest order and map to help plan your hunt. Important to note in GMU 19 that Long Draw Road is open, but some designated dispersed camping sites remain closed and overnight camping in the Comanche Peak Wilderness is prohibited. Crown Point Road remains closed due to heavy equipment and mulching in the area as part of fire recovery efforts.
Nature Viewing
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Viewing Wildlife
Please help keep "wildlife" wild by no approaching or feeding them. If an animal approaches you, move away and maintain a safe distance.
Areas for
Viewing Wildlife
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Canyon Lakes Ranger District, west of Fort Collins
Off-Highway vehicle (OHV) riding is increasing in popularity on the Canyon Lakes Ranger District. Request a free Motor Vehicle Use Map of roads which shows all roads open to non-licensed vehicles. Larimer County Roads are not open to OHVs.
The Road Status Table lists openings and closures for CLRD's most popular roads and is updated regularly.
Areas for
OHV Road Riding
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Canyon Lakes Ranger District, west of Fort Collins
Off-Highway vehicle riding is increasing in popularity on the Canyon Lakes Ranger District. Request a free Motor Vehicle Use Map of roads which shows all roads open to non-licensed vehicles.
Areas for
OHV Trail Riding
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Canyon Lakes Ranger District, west of Fort Collins
Welcome to the Canyon Lakes Ranger District!
Located in north-central Colorado, the Canyon Lakes Ranger District of the Roosevelt National Forest encompasses 650,022 acres, mostly in Larimer County.
The Canyon Lakes Ranger District offers the visitor a variety of recreation opportunities throughout the year, and also provides for traditional uses, such as permits for firewood gathering and grazing. We are home to four wilderness areas, three national recreation trails, two historic districts, and Colorado’s only Wild and Scenic River. State Highways 34, 36 and 14 allow for easy access to one of our many hiking trails, campgrounds, four-wheel drive roads, and lakes and streams.
Stop by our office in Fort Collins and we’ll be glad to help you discover the many great reasons to visit your national forest.
Areas for
Picnicking
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Canyon Lakes Ranger District, west of Fort Collins
Cache la Poudre Wild and Scenic River is located in Larimer County within the Canyon Lakes Ranger District. Legend has it that the river was named in 1836, when a party of wesward traveling fur trappers of the Hudson's Bay Company were forced to lighten their load near the banks of the river after being caught in a heavy snowfall. The order was given to "cache la poudre" or "hide the powder" so that it could be retrieved the following spring. Follow this scenic drive for 101 miles!
Areas for
Scenic Driving
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Canyon Lakes Ranger District, west of Fort Collins
The skiing and snowshoeing season generally runs from December through early April, but can vary depending on the amount of snowfall and when it occurs. The Cameron Pass area of Roosevelt National Forest offers excellent cross-country skiing, from easy beginner trips to advanced trips. Please be considerate of the many other visitors who will be sharing the forest with you and follow the Leave No Trace principles. Avalanche conditions may exist, please be prepared. For avalanche forecasts and other resources contact the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. For recorded avalanche information call 970-482-0457.
Areas for
XC Skiing/Snowshoeing
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Canyon Lakes Ranger District, west of Fort Collins
Over-the-snow travel is allowed in various locations across the Canyon Lakes Ranger District. It is important to note that snowmobiles are not allowed in designated Wilderness areas. Please note that in areas where snowmobiling takes place, other winter recreation activities area also occurring. Please use caution. Snowmobiling is typically best with a minimum of 6" of snow cover. Many areas of the district have unreliable snow cover. Areas west of Red Feather Lakes are typically best following a snow storm. Avalanche conditions may exist, please be prepared. For avalanche forecasts and other resources contact the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. For recorded avalanche information call 970-482-0457.
Areas for
Snowmobiling
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Canyon Lakes Ranger District, west of Fort Collins
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