What Is a National Forest?
Trails in Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests
Ranger District Contacts
Highlights
More Information
What is a National Forest?
Simply put, national forests are places where you can get away from the noise of a busy life. After all, snowshoeing across newly fallen snow, watching an elk herd, or cross-country skiing into the quiet backcountry shouldn't be rushed—which is why you can do each of these at your own pace throughout any of Colorado’s national forests.
Officially, national forests are parcels of forested land identified by the federal government to be of important environmental and recreational significance to Americans. These lands are public property and available for all to enjoy in a sustainable manner. Camping, hiking and other outdoor pursuits on forest service land are always free. although certain activities require permits.
Snowshoe and Cross-Country Trails in Colorado’s Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests:
Brainard Lake Recreation Area (Boulder Ranger District, Boulder)
Note: No camping is allowed in this recreation area.
Trail name: Brainard Lake Road
Trail length (one-way): 2.2 miles
Season of use: November to May (depending on snow cover)
Trail name: TraCMC Trail (No snowshoeing allowed)
Trail length (one-way): 2.5 miles
Season of use: November to May (depending on snow cover)
Trail name: Lefthand Park Reservoir Road
Trail length (one-way): 2 miles
Season of use: November to May (depending on snow cover)
Trailhead location for Brainard Lake Road, TraCMC Trail and Lefthand Park Reservoir Road: Take Highway 72 to just north of Ward. Turn west on Brainard Lake Road. Drive 2.8 miles to the winter gate closure. Be conscious of "No Parking" signs posted along the south side of the road, parking is allowed along other parts of the road.
Cameron Pass Area (Canyon Lakes Ranger District, Fort Collins)
Trail name: Blue Lake
Trail length (one-way): 5 miles
Season of use: November to May (depending on snow cover)
Trailhead location: Park at the Blue Lake Trailhead along Colorado Highway 14, slightly northwest of Rocky Mountain National Park. The trail starts from the west corner of the parking lot near the informational kiosk.
Trail name: Laramie River Road
Trail length (one-way): 20 miles
Season of use: November to May (depending on snow cover)
Trailhead location: Parking is located at the trail’s intersection with Colorado Highway 14. Pull off the road as far as possible without damaging plant life to park. Trail sharing with snowmobilers may be required. The route begins with a climb for the first few miles, and then drops into Laramie River Valley.
Trail name: Michigan Ditch
Trail length (one-way): 4 miles
Season of use: November to May (depending on snow cover)
Trailhead location: To access the trail, park at Cameron Pass and cross Colorado Highway 14.
Guanella Pass Area (Clear Creek Ranger District, Idaho Springs)
Trail name: Waldorf Road
Trail length (one-way): 4 miles
Season of use: November to May (depending on snow cover)
Trailhead location: From I-70, take exit 228 to Georgetown and follow the signs to Guanella Pass Road. Drive up Guanella Pass for about 2.5 miles. Look for a brown sign on a sharp left switchback that reads, “Waldorf.” This road is also called Leavenworth or Argentine Pass. Park along the side of the road, well out of the way of traffic.
Trail name: Mount Evans Road
Trail length (one-way): 3 miles to Mount Goliath
Season of use: November to May (depending on snow cover)
Trail name: Squaw Pass Road
Trail length (one-way): 2 miles
Season of use: November to May (depending on snow cover)
Trailhead location for both Mount Evans Road and Squaw Pass: Take exit 240 off I-70 and head south on Highway 103. After traveling 14 miles you will arrive at Echo Lake and the trailhead. There is ample parking at the lake.
Wilderness areas: Byers Peak, Cache la Poudre, Comanche Peak, Indian Peaks, James Peak, Mount Evans, Neota, Never Summer, Rawah, Vasquez Peak
Ranger districts
Need to buy a permit? Want real-time weather information? Have questions about other activities in the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests? The ranger stations below are eager to help. Just find the station nearest the location you’re interested in, and call for the answers you need.
Boulder
2140 Yarmouth Avenue
Boulder, CO 80301
Phone: 303-541-2500
Canyon Lakes
2150 Centre Ave., Building E
Fort Collins, CO 80526
Phone: 970-295-6700
Clear Creek
101 Chicago Creek Road
P.O. Box 3307
Idaho Springs, CO 80452
Phone: 303-567-3000
Sulphur Ranger District
9 Ten Mile Drive
P.O. Box 10
Granby, CO 80446
Phone: 970-887-4100
Highlights (includes Pawnee National Grassland)
- 3,000 miles of road
- More than 900 miles of trails
- Home to 438 animal species
- Elk population of 15,000 (summer)
- Bighorn sheep population of 500
- Incorporates three ski areas (Eldora, Loveland and Winter Park)
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More information
Colorado’s other parks and public lands
In the snow activities
Cross-country skiing opportunities
Snowshoeing opportunities
updated: 11/09/06