CO · Mountain West
8 forest guides within driving distance
Complete guide to Pike and San Isabel National Forests in Colorado. Pikes Peak, Mount Elbert, Mount Massive, Collegiate Peaks Wilderness, and over 1,100 miles of trails near Colorado Springs and Denver.
10 min read
San Isabel National Forest spans Colorado's Sangre de Cristo Range and Arkansas Valley, containing more fourteeners than any other national forest and access to Great Sand Dunes National Park.
5 min read
Guide to Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests on Colorado's Front Range. Indian Peaks Wilderness, Brainard Lake, alpine trails, and Denver day hikes in the Rocky Mountains.
12 min read
Complete guide to White River National Forest in the Colorado Rockies. Trail recommendations, campgrounds, permits, fourteeners, and trip planning resources.
13 min read
Roosevelt National Forest protects Colorado's Front Range above Fort Collins and Estes Park, with the Rawah and Indian Peaks Wilderness areas and the Cache la Poudre Wild and Scenic River.
5 min read
Gunnison National Forest surrounds Crested Butte and Gunnison in Colorado's Elk Mountains, protecting the West Elk Wilderness, Fossil Ridge, and some of the state's finest wildflower country.
5 min read
Rio Grande National Forest covers 1.85 million acres of the San Luis Valley's mountain rim in southern Colorado, encompassing the headwaters of the Rio Grande River, the South San Juan Wilderness, and the otherworldly Wheeler Geologic Area.
6 min read
Carson National Forest in northern New Mexico encompasses the Taos Mountains, New Mexico's highest peak, and vast wilderness areas in the Sangre de Cristo and Jemez ranges, offering everything from short alpine day hikes to remote multi-day wilderness routes.
7 min read
Guide to Barr Trail in Manitou Springs, Colorado. A 13-mile one-way climb from 6,715 to 14,115 feet on one of the longest maintained summit trails in the United States.
7 min read
Guide to Gold Camp Road Trail near Colorado Springs. An easy 5-mile out-and-back on a historic railroad grade with sandstone canyon views and access from the city's west side.
5 min read
Guide to The Crags Trail on the south slope of Pikes Peak. A 4-mile out-and-back to dramatic granite spires with panoramic views, near Woodland Park and Cripple Creek, Colorado.
5 min read
Guide to the Wye Trail in Lost Creek Wilderness, Pike National Forest. A 6-mile out-and-back through granite formations where Lost Creek disappears underground near Deckers, Colorado.
5 min read
Hike to Venable Falls in San Isabel National Forest, Colorado. This moderate 4-mile out-and-back gains 1,400 feet through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to a scenic waterfall with summer wildflowers.
3 min read
Hike to Comanche Lake in San Isabel National Forest, Colorado. This strenuous 7.5-mile out-and-back gains 2,000 feet to a high alpine lake in the Wet Mountains with summer wildflowers.
2 min read
Walk the San Isabel Lake Trail in San Isabel National Forest, Colorado. This easy 2.5-mile loop circles a scenic mountain lake near Rye with good bird habitat and access to fishing and recreation.
3 min read
Guide to the Venable-Phantom Circuit in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, Colorado. A 12-mile loop crossing two high alpine passes near Westcliffe with views of the Crestone group.
5 min read
Hike the Twobit Mesa Trail in San Isabel National Forest, Colorado. This moderate 5-mile out-and-back gains 1,000 feet to a flat-topped mesa with wide views across the Arkansas Valley and surrounding peaks.
3 min read
Hike into the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness in San Isabel National Forest, Colorado. This strenuous 8-mile out-and-back gains 2,200 feet through alpine terrain with views of Colorado's 14,000-foot peaks.
3 min read
Guide to the Horseshoe Lake Trail at Turquoise Lake Recreation Area near Leadville, Colorado. An easy 2-mile loop at 9,900 feet with fishing access and views of the Sawatch Range.
4 min read
Summit Colorado's highest peak on the Mount Elbert Southeast Ridge in San Isabel National Forest. This strenuous 9.5-mile out-and-back gains 4,700 feet to the top of the Rockies at 14,440 feet.
3 min read
Guide to the Mount Elbert South Ridge Trail near Leadville, Colorado. A 9.5-mile out-and-back to the highest peak in the Rocky Mountains at 14,440 feet.
6 min read
Summit Colorado's highest peak via the North Trail in San Isabel National Forest. This strenuous 9-mile out-and-back gains 4,400 feet from Half Moon Campground to the 14,440-foot summit.
3 min read
Guide to Buchanan Pass Trail in Indian Peaks Wilderness via Peaceful Valley. A strenuous 10-mile out-and-back to a remote Continental Divide pass at 11,837 feet through the Saint Vrain Creek drainage.
5 min read
Guide to the Mount Massive East Slopes Trail near Leadville, Colorado. A 14-mile out-and-back to Colorado's second-highest peak at 14,428 feet via the Halfmoon Creek trailhead.
5 min read
Summit the second highest peak in Colorado via the Northwest Ridge in San Isabel National Forest. This strenuous 13-mile out-and-back gains 4,300 feet to Mount Massive's 14,428-foot summit.
3 min read
Guide to the Sourdough Trail in Roosevelt National Forest. A moderate 15-mile subalpine traverse between Rainbow Lakes Campground and Brainard Lake Road, popular for hiking, trail running, and mountain biking.
6 min read
Guide to Blue Lake Trail in Indian Peaks Wilderness at Brainard Lake. A moderate 5-mile out-and-back to a stunning glacial alpine lake beneath Mount Toll at 11,300 feet.
6 min read
Guide to Crater Lake Trail in Indian Peaks Wilderness via the Hessie Trailhead. A moderate 5.2-mile out-and-back to an alpine lake with wildflower meadows and views of Mount Jasper and Devil's Thumb.
6 min read
Guide to Pawnee Pass Trail in Indian Peaks Wilderness. A strenuous 12-mile out-and-back crossing the Continental Divide at 12,541 feet with alpine lake scenery and sweeping Rocky Mountain views.
7 min read
Guide to the Long Lake Loop at Brainard Lake Recreation Area. An easy 2.6-mile flat loop around a scenic alpine lake at 10,500 feet with wildflower meadows and Indian Peaks views.
6 min read
Hike to Blue Lake in Roosevelt National Forest, Colorado. This moderate 4.5-mile out-and-back gains 1,200 feet to a stunning turquoise alpine lake in the Indian Peaks Wilderness with wildflowers.
3 min read
Guide to the Mount Audubon Trail at Brainard Lake. A strenuous 8-mile out-and-back to a 13,223-foot summit with panoramic Indian Peaks and Continental Divide views.
7 min read