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 126 - 150 of 22716Hancock Lakes
Upper and Lower Hancock lakes are located south of the historic townsite of St. Elmo. The route to the lakes follows the Denver, South Park and Pacific railroad grade to the site of Hancock. Hancock was a boom town that boasts a population of 1,500 in the 1880's. The railroad and nearby mines employed rough and ready miners and railroaders who plied the line between St. Elmo and Gunnison via the Alpine Tunnel.…
Hayden Creek Campground
Hayden Creek Campground is a hidden gem on the Salida Ranger District. The campground is small with only eleven sites. It is located on the banks of Hayden Creek and at the base of the majestic Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
The campground is wooded and very secluded. Sites are best suited to tent camping or small trailers or RV's. Vehicles 25 ft. or less work best in the area.
Prior to Memorial Day weekend…
Iron City Campground
Iron City Campground is located within the Chalk Creek Canyon, which is one of the valley's most popular areas, offering access to many ATV trails. This is a small campground with 15 campsites. It is located near the historic townsite of St. Elmo. The Iron City cemetery is located on the east end of the campground. An interpretive sign at the entrance to the cemetery provides information on the early settlers and…
Monarch Park Campground
The elevation is 10,500 feet, and visitors should plan for cold temperatures at night. Some campsites are located near the south fork of the Little Arkansas River. Opening and closing dates are weather dependent.
After Labor Day, hosts and water may not be available.
Monarch Pass Overlook & Trailhead
Monarch Pass is between Gunnison and Poncha Springs along Colorado’s Highway 50, which crosses the Continental Divide at 11,312 feet, offering sweeping vistas of central Colorado’s Sawatch Range. A large parking area, gift shop, and gondola make this a popular rest stop. It also serves as the trailhead for the Continental Divide National ScenicTrail, known locally as the …
Monarch Ski Area
Monarch Ski Area is located near the summit of Monarch Pass just 20 miles west of Salida, CO. The area is operated under Special Use Permit with the US Forest Service in Salida, CO.
For more information, visit the Monarch Ski area website at: www.skimonarch.com
Mount Antero
The peak was named for Chief Antero of the Uintah band of Ute tribe. Mount Antero boasts the highest gem field in the lower 48. Many unpatented mining claims are scattered over the peak. Rockhounding, prospecting, and mining activities on these unpatented claims is illegal without a Notice of Intent or Plan of Operations from the US Forest Service. Any surface collection (rockhounding) without…
Mount Princeton Campground
Mount Princeton Campground is located in the Chalk Creek Canyon, which 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 4X4 Road 267.
North Fork Campground
This campground is the highest elevation campground on the Salida Ranger District. The elevation is 11,000 feet and the campsites are situated on the north shore of the North Fork Reservoir. The road to the campground is very rough and not recommended for vehicles towing trailers. High clearance vehicles are a requirement for reaching this campground. No trash service.
O'Haver Lake Picnic Area
The picnic area is located within the O'Haver Lake Campground. As you enter the campground, watch for a road on the right. Turn right and go about 50 yards to the picnic area located on the left. There are four picnic tables and four standing grills provided.
Mount Shavano and Mount Tabeguache
The trail travels along a saddle south of the summit and the last .5 miles to the summit is marked by a few rock cairns. To continue on to Mount Tabeguache, follow the ridge, northwest, from the summit. Be aware when descending from Tabeguache not to descend into McCoy Gulch. Many disoriented hikers have taken this dangerous route in error resulting in search and rescues calls, injuries, and deaths.…
Shirley Site Trailhead
Shirley Site is located off of Highway 285 and County Road 200 just below Poncha Pass. Shirley got its name during the 1880's when it served as a busy construction camp for men building the Denver and Rio Grande rail line over Marshall Pass to the ore-rich mines in Gunnison. By summer of 1881, Shirley boasted 14 large business tents, most of which were saloons and dance halls.
Little remains of the town of…
Alvarado Campground
Developed campground with reservable, equestrian, and first-come, first-served sites. Nearby attractions: access to the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness trails from the Rainbow trail. The Rainbow trail is a motorized trail open to ATV and motorcycle use and runs along the foot of the Sangres Wilderness trails, that climb above the Rainbow Trail into the Sangres, are only accessed by foot or livestock. The closest…
Alvarado Trailhead
Access to Rainbow Trail #1336. Closest Wilderness trails are Commanche and Venable. This trailhead is located within Alvarado Campground. No additional fee is charged for registered campers. An outhouse is available at the trailhead.
Bear Lake Campground
NOTICE: The Bear Lake Campground experienced significant damage as a result of trees being blown down on some campsites. The campground will remain closed until the area can be made safe for visitors again.
Bear Lake Campground is a developed campground with the following attractions: Lake and Stream fishing. Bear Lake is approximately mile from campground, and the Tributaries of Cuchara River runs through…
Bear Lake Day Use Area
NOTICE: The Bear Lake area experienced significant damage as a result of trees being blown down and will remain closed until the area can be made safe for visitors again.
Lake and stream fishing. Day Use fee area during summer months. Bear Lake Campground is 1/4 mile away from lake. There is a 3/4 mile non-motorized trail between Bear Lake and Blue Lake.
Blue Lake Campground
NOTICE: The Blue Lake Campground experienced significant damage as a result of trees being blown down on some campsites. The campground will remain closed until the area can be made safe for visitors again.
Blue Lake Campground is a developed campground with reservable and first-come-first-served sites. Available attractions: Lake and stream fishing. Blue lake is approximately one mile from the campground and…
Blue Lake Day Use Area
NOTICE: Blue Lake will be open for people to fish, but due to trees blown down, no hiking trails are open and no vehicles will be permitted past the day use area. Trinchera Peak 4x4 road 436 is closed. The closure order and map can be found here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/psicc/alerts-notices
Blue Lake parking and day use fee…
Cordova Pass Picnic Area and Campground
Cordova Pass Picnic Area and Campground offer picnicking, tent camping only, hiking, and fishing. Access to Levy-Krier (#1392), West Peak (#1390) and Salazar (#1392a) trails.
All dates are weather dependent. All services may not be available early or late in the season.
Cuchara Day Use Picnic Area
13 picnic sites, restrooms and a trash dumpster. No trails, just a picnic areas. Stream fishing in Cucharas Creek.
Davenport Campground
Davenport Campground has been rebuilt to evoke the historic character of the first Forest Service campground, the remnants of which are located a few miles downstream. Included are a few Adirondack shelters, a common cooking shelter with stone fireplaces, and old-style log picnic tables. This tent-only campground sits alongside Squirrel Creek in a grassy meadow surrounded by aspen and spruce trees at an elevation of…
Farley Flower Overlook Observation Site
Interpretive displays and parking. A stone monument is in place with a bronze plaque dedicated to John B. Farley.
La Vista Campground
La Vista Campground is a developed campground within the Lake Isabel Recreation Area. At Lake Isabel, activities include non-motorized boating and fishing. St. Charles Creek is close to the campground is open for fishing. Access to motorized trail include Cisneros, St. Charles, and Snowslide. There is a pleasant hiking trail on the lake shore.
Campsites #1 through #10 are tent-only sites.
All dates are…
Lake Creek Campground
Lake Creek is a small, 11 site campground shaded with abundant trees. Some sites are streamside. Close access to Wilderness and non-Wilderness trails in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
All dates are weather dependent. All services may not be available early or late in the season.
Lake Isabel Picnic and Day Use Area (Southside)
A developed picnic area with the following attractions: Picnicking, hiking, fishing and boating. At Lake Isabel, non-motorized boating, and fishing. Access to motorized and non-motorized trails including Cisneros, St. Charles, and Snowslide. Access to a paved trail that travels along the lake shore. (This trail does not completely circle the lake)