Recreation
The Carson National Forest offers unlimited recreational opportunities in any season. The magnificent mountain scenery and cool summer temperatures lure vacationers to enjoy the peace and quiet, for fishing, hunting, camping, and hiking. Winter activities include skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling.
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Echo Amphitheater to Reopen
Echo Amphitheater will reopen at 9 a.m. on Jan. 2, 2024. It may close as early as March 2024 for the second phase of construction funded by the Legacy Restoration Fund. Don't miss your chance to visit this visually stunning natural amphitheater.
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Changes Around the Forest in 2024
It’s a new year and that means seasonal changes around the forest, from road closures to a partial closure in the Valle Vidal, plus news about office hours and permit sales.
Current Recreation Conditions
Area Name | Status | Area Conditions |
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Agua Piedra Campground and Group Shelters | Closed | |
Cabresto Lake Campground | None |
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Canjilon Lakes Campground | None | |
Capulin Campground | Closed | |
Cebolla Mesa | Open |
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Cimarron Campground | Closed | |
Columbine Campground | Closed | Hungry bears are entering campsites more frequently this summer. With no significant rain, berries and nuts are not growing in abundance, so they're taking advantage of campgrounds where food (including bird feeders) are available. And they’re making a mess! Take these steps to safely co-exist with bears during your visit. |
Comales Campground | None | |
Continental Divide Trail - Carson National Forest | Open | |
Cuchilla Campground | None | Snow may impact access. |
Cuchillo Del Medio Campground | None | |
Duran Canyon Campground | None | No host or services as of Sep. 17, 2023:
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Eagle Rock Lake Fishing | Open | Open to self-contained day use or camping only. No trash collection or restrooms available. Visitors must pack out all trash and human waste. |
East Fork Santa Barbara Trail 26 | Open | |
East Fork Trail 56 | Open | Downed trees from the Dec. 2021 windstorm were fully cleared in summer 2023. |
Echo Amphitheater Picnic Site | Open | Echo Amphitheater will temporarily reopen at 9 a.m. on January 2, 2024. Learn more about recent and upcoming construction work to improve this site. |
Echo Campground | Open | Echo Amphitheater will temporarily reopen at 9 a.m. on January 2, 2024. Learn more about recent and upcoming construction work to improve this site. |
El Rito Campground | None | |
Elephant Rock Campground | Closed | Hungry bears are entering campsites more frequently this summer. With no significant rain, berries and nuts are not growing in abundance, so they're taking advantage of campgrounds where food (including bird feeders) are available. And they’re making a mess! Take these steps to safely co-exist with bears during your visit. |
Fawn Lakes Campground | Closed | Hungry bears are entering campsites more frequently this summer. With no significant rain, berries and nuts are not growing in abundance, so they're taking advantage of campgrounds where food (including bird feeders) are available. And they’re making a mess! Take these steps to safely co-exist with bears during your visit. |
Goat Hill Campground | Open | Hungry bears are entering campsites more frequently this summer. With no significant rain, berries and nuts are not growing in abundance, so they're taking advantage of campgrounds where food (including bird feeders) are available. And they’re making a mess! Take these steps to safely co-exist with bears during your visit. |
Hopewell Lake Campground | Closed |
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Horseshoe Lake/East Fork Trail 56 | Open | |
Junebug Campground | Closed | Hungry bears are entering campsites more frequently this summer. With no significant rain, berries and nuts are not growing in abundance, so they're taking advantage of campgrounds where food (including bird feeders) are available. And they’re making a mess! Take these steps to safely co-exist with bears during your visit. |
La Bobita Campground | Closed | |
La Junta Canyon | None | No host or services as of Sep. 17, 2023:
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La Sombra Campground | Closed | |
Lake Fork Trail 82 | Open | The trail is likely impassable to stock. A hiker visitor report in summer 2023 indicated about a dozen downed trees across the trail, some with difficult go-arounds. |
Las Petacas Campground | Closed | |
Lower Hondo Campground | None | |
McCrystal Campground | Closed | |
Middle Fork Trail 24 | Open | |
Middle Fork/West Fork Road Trail 487 | Open | |
Rio de Los Pinos Campground | Open | |
Santa Barbara Campground | Closed | |
Trout Lakes Campground | None | |
Twining Campground | None | No water or restrooms. Remove all trash, including human waste. Parking may be difficult due to proximity to ski area. Accessibility to campground is weather dependent. |
Upper La Junta Campground | None | No host or services as of Sep. 17, 2023:
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Upper Lagunitas / Lower Lagunitas Campgrounds | None | |
West Fork Santa Barbara Trail 25 | Open | |
Wheeler Peak Summit Trail (#67) | Open | |
Wheeler Peak Trail (#90) | Open | Piles from forest thinning are visible along the trail for the first two miles, which is between the Bull of the Woods Trailhead to the junction with the Gold Hill Trail (#64). They are slated to be burned during winter conditions in 2023 or 2024. The work is part of the Highway 150 Wildland Urban Interface Project (.pdf) to reduce insect-induced tree mortality and fuel accumulation. |