Your national forests and grasslands are 193 million acres of vast, scenic beauty waiting for you to discover. Over 3 million acres of land located in 22 National Recreation Areas managed by the Forest Service is preserved for recreational activities like hiking, boating, fishing and swimming, while highlighting natural, cultural and scenic resources. Visitors who choose to recreate on these public lands find 162,984 miles of trails, over 30,000 recreation sites, over 400,000 miles of streams and 3 million acres of lakes, 127 alpine ski areas, 338,000 heritage sites, and specially designated sites that include 36.7 million acres of designated wilderness areas, 130 wild and scenic rivers, 15 monuments, and one preserve. And remember, “It’s All Yours.”
Displaying 101 - 125 of 22716Springdale Campground
This campground is located 1.7 miles east of Woodland Park on Rampart Range Road 300. This campground has 13 sites. This is a standard, non-electric campground. Firewood, shelter, and water are not provided.
Crags Campground
The Crags campground has 17 sites for tents, small RVs, or small trailers. The access to the campground is from a narrow, winding and rough dirt road, which may not be suitable for large trailers. There is no trash service; please pack out your trash. Outside of peak season water and camp hosts may not be available.
The Crags Trail (#664) and the Devil's Playground Trail (#753) start…
Thunder Ridge Campground
Thunder Ridge Campground has 21 campsites with parking areas that are at least 30'. Sites 7, 8, and 21 are accessible. Facilities include tables, fire grates, drinking water, vault toilets, and trash collection. This is a standard, non-electric campground.
Reservations are recommended between Memorial Day and Labor Day. During peak season, this campground is a full-service campground. Pre-season and…
Angel of Shavano Campground
This campground is ideally suited for tent camping. The campsites are wooded with aspen and spruce trees along the north fork of the south Arkansas River.
Dispersed camping spots may be found along 4x4 road (240) between Angel of Shavano and North Fork campgrounds.
Angel of Shavano Group Area
This group campground is located near the Angel of Shavano campground and adjacent to the creek. Volleyball, softball, and a horseshoe pit are available. Visitors must bring their own equipment including volleyball net, baseball equipment and horseshoes. Parking is provided for 12-14 passenger vehicles. Firewood is sold by the campground host at the Angel of Shavano campground…
Colorado Trail #1776 (Angel of Shavano Trailhead)
The Angel of Shavano trailhead serves as major trailhead along the Colorado Trail (#1776) which stretches from Denver to Durango, Colorado. The trailhead is located about 9 miles west of Salida.
Colorado Trail #1776 (Avalanche Trailhead)
The Avalanche trailhead is a major access point for the Colorado Trail (#1776) near Buena Vista, Colorado. A paved parking area and toilet facility are available. This is a popular trailhead for winter recreationists and provides ample parking for the many snowmobilers who converge on the area. Weekend snowmobilers love to ride to the top of Cottonwood Pass and over the Continental Divide to Taylor Park.
Hikers…
Baldwin Lake
Baldwin Lake is a small alpine lake located to the west of Mount Antero (14,269 ft). The lake is home to native Cutthroat trout. The road to Baldwin Lake is usually "snow-free" from June until October.
Bassam Guardstation/Cabin
The cabin was built around 1911 and was home to a Forest guard. Forest guards lived and worked in remote areas on National Forest lands. Early Forest guards lived in tents or if they were lucky, in a cabin like the Bassam Guard Station. These hardy men monitored sheep and cattle grazing allotments, managed timber harvesting, apprehended poachers and wrote reports about conditions on our National Forests.
The 14’x16…
Rainbow Trail (#1336) at Bear Creek trailhead
This trailhead is located east of Salida, off of County Road 101 and accesses the Rainbow Trail (#1336) which travels east from the Poncha Springs area along the base of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range. The Rainbow Trail is over 100 miles in length and travels south from the Salida area into the Wet Mountain valley and terminates near the Great Sand Dunes National Park. This trail is open to motorcycles,…
Bootleg Campground
Please note: no potable water currently available.
This is a tent-camping facility located on the Colorado Trail (1776). A family fire ring with benches are provided. A vault toilet is also located at the site, but only during the peak season.
Cascade Campground
The Chalk Creek Canyon is one of the valley's most popular areas. Camping and campfires are restricted in the Chalk Creek Canyon to developed campgrounds only. Campers who are unable to find a campsite in one of the four developed campground may camp above the townsite of St. Elmo on County Road 267 or near the Hancock townsite located 5 miles south on Forest Road 295. Additional camping is available in the Browns…
Chalk Creek Canyon
An information and interpretive kiosk is located just off of County Road 162 in the Chalk Creek canyon. Informational panels detail the history and geology of the area.
Colorado Trail #1776 (Chalk Creek Trailhead)
The Chalk Creek trailhead is located in the Chalk Creek canyon south of Buena Vista. This trailhead provides access to the Colorado Trail (#1776).
Distances from this trailhead:
Browns Creek trailhead - 6.5 miles
US Hwy 50 - 19.5 miles
For detailed information and maps, contact the Salida Ranger District, 719-539-3591.
Chalk Lake Campground
The Chalk Creek Canyon is one of the valley's most popular areas.
Camping and campfires are restricted in the Chalk Creek Canyon to developed campgrounds only. Campers who are unable to find a campsite in one of the four developed campground may camp above the townsite of St. Elmo on County Road 267 or near the Hancock townsite located 5 miles south on Forest Road 295. Additional camping is available in the Browns…
Chalk Lake Fishing Site
Chalk Lake is a small lake, about 12 acres in size. The lake is regularly stocked for fishing.
Coaldale Campground
NOTE: This campground may open during 2023 season, pending completion of repairs.
Coaldale Campground is located on the banks of Hayden Creek and is a small, quiet campground . Most of the campsites are walk-in sites with small parking areas. The area is thick with gamble oak, juniper, and cottonwood trees.
Collegiate Peaks Campground
Collegiate Peaks campground is heavily wooded with 56 campsites arranged along 3 loops. This campground offers visitors an opportunity for a quiet camping experience with plenty of space for RVs. The Middle Fork of Cottonwood Creek flows along the south side of the campground.
Nearby hiking trails include Ptarmigan Lake and the Denny Creek Trail. The Ptarmigan Lake trailhead is located about 2.75 miles west of…
Cottonwood Lake Boating Site
Cottonwood Lake is an 40 acre, man-made lake that serves as one of the water sources for the town of Buena Vista, Colorado. A large picnic area with handicapped accessible fishing docks is located on the east side of the lake.
A gravel boat ramp is located on the west side of the lake. Non-motorized boats and canoes are allowed. Motorized boats, both gasoline and electric, are prohibited.
Cottonwood Lake Campground
The campground is situated on a gently sloping hillside surrounded by aspen trees, within walking distance to the lake. It is a popular campground for anglers and sites fill up quickly on weekends. If the campground is full, dispersed camping is permitted along road 344 half-mile west of Cottonwood Lake.
Prior to Memorial Day weekend and after Labor Day, camphosts may not be on site.…
Cottonwood Lake Picnic Area
Cottonwood Lake Picnic area is located on the eastern shore of the lake. The picnic area has 17 sites with picnic tables and fire rings. Anglers can access the lakeshore through the picnic area or they can walk along the lakeshore to a find a fishing spot.
Cottonwood Pass Summit
The summit of Cottonwood Pass is located at an elevation of 12,126 feet. Views from the top show both sides of the Continental Divide. The road is closed by snow from November until late May.
Fooses Reservoir
Fooses reservoir is a small lake located just off of Highway 50, on the banks of Fooses Creek. The lake was created around 1905 to generate hydro-electric power for a Public Service company power plant located downstream. The lake is a popular fishing site for anglers and is periodically stocked with catchable Rainbow trout that can measure between 8 and 12 inches in length.
Ghost House Historic Site
The Ghost House is located near the historic mining and railroading town of St. Elmo. Built by Mr. Ghost, an early mining and real estate developer in the 1880's. The house is of wood construction using local timber and sided with metal. The most interesting feature of the house is the use of flattened food cans for shingles on the roof. An interpretive sign at the site details the history of this unique house.
Grizzly Lake
The Grizzly Lake road is rough, rocky and considered a difficult route by most 4-wheel enthusiasts. Fishing is considered excellent by anglers with abundant brook trout in the lake and in nearby beaver ponds. A small portion of road passes through private property and visitors must stay on the road and not trespass on private property. Camping is permitted near the lake but visitors are required to camp at least 100…