"Tree Harvest" by Colorado State Forest Service Volunteer Program , public domain
State Forest
State Park - Colorado
State Forest State Park is located in Jackson and Larimer counties east of Walden, Colorado in the Medicine Bow Range of the Rocky Mountains. Facilities include a visitors center, 158 campsites (including RV and tent sites), over 60 dispersed camping sites, 15 cabins and yurts, picnic sites, boat ramps and 94 miles (151 km) of hiking trails.
About 52,000 acres (210 km2) of the park are forested in lodgepole pine, Douglas fir, Colorado blue spruce, aspen and other species. An unprecedented epidemic of Mountain pine beetle is currently reshaping the park's flora landscape. Wildlife in the park includes moose, bighorn sheep, black bear, mule deer and elk.
Map of Big South Campground and Big South Trailhead in Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests (NF) in Colorado. Published by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
Map of Browns Park Campground and Link-McIntyre Trailhead in Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests (NF) in Colorado. Published by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
Map of Chambers Lake Campground and Chambers Lake Day Use Area in Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests (NF) in Colorado. Published by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
Map of Chambers Lake Campground and Chambers Lake Day Use Area in Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests (NF) in Colorado. Published by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
Colorado Fishing Guide. Published by Colorado Parks & Wildlife.
State Forest SP
https://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/StateForest
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_Forest_State_Park
State Forest State Park is located in Jackson and Larimer counties east of Walden, Colorado in the Medicine Bow Range of the Rocky Mountains. Facilities include a visitors center, 158 campsites (including RV and tent sites), over 60 dispersed camping sites, 15 cabins and yurts, picnic sites, boat ramps and 94 miles (151 km) of hiking trails.
About 52,000 acres (210 km2) of the park are forested in lodgepole pine, Douglas fir, Colorado blue spruce, aspen and other species. An unprecedented epidemic of Mountain pine beetle is currently reshaping the park's flora landscape. Wildlife in the park includes moose, bighorn sheep, black bear, mule deer and elk.
Funded in part by Great Outdoors Colorado
through Colorado Lottery proceeds.
CPW_SFSP_3/17
cpw.state.co.us
cpw.state.co.us
56750 Hwy. 14 • Walden, CO 80480
970-723-8366 • E-mail: state.forest@state.co.us
State Forest State Park
To Granby
To Steamboat
GOULD
125
14
14
To Ft. Collins
JCR 12E
State Forest
State Park
WALDEN
125
COWDRY
JCR 6E
127
To Laramie
Location Map
General Information
Colorado disabled veterans displaying Colorado
Disabled Veteran (DV) license plates are admitted free
without a pass.
ENJOY YOUR STATE PARKS
Within the boundaries of State Forest State Park
lie 71,000 acres of incredible outdoor recreational
opportunities: backpacking, hiking, fishing, camping,
four-wheeling, skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling
and, of course, relaxing in the great outdoors.
The Visitor Center is located one mile east of Gould
on Hwy. 14. If you require information or assistance,
visit the Visitor Center or call 970-723-8366.
State Forest
State Park
State Forest is high country, ranging in elevation
from 8,500 to 13,000 feet, so visitors may find they
need time to acclimate. Sunburn is possible in the high,
thin cool air and in the summer mosquito repellent is a
necessity.
Colorado residents 64 years of age or older qualify
for a special Aspen Leaf annual pass, available at a
discounted rate.
Emergency assistance can be obtained from any
park ranger or at the Visitor Center.
First Aid/Assistance
C O L O R A D O PA R K S & W I L D L I F E
The park stretches along the west side of the
Medicine Bow Mountains and into the north end of the
Never Summer Range. From Ft. Collins, visitors can
take Highway 14 over Cameron Pass, a 75-mile Scenic
drive. From Denver, the route leads over Berthoud and
Willow Creek passes to Walden, a 150-mile trip.
Religious, medical and community facilities are
available in Walden. Camping supplies and food are
available nearby.
State Forest’s recreational uses are administered by
Colorado Parks and Wildlife, which has leased the area
for public recreation from Colorado State Land Board
since 1972.
All visitors entering the park are required to display
a current Colorado State Parks’ Pass on their auto
windshield. A daily pass is valid from the day purchased
until noon the following day. An annual pass is valid at
any Colorado state park. For annual pass holders
who own another car, a multiple pass is available for a
small fee.
Regulations
Facilities
Park regulations are posted at each entrance. State
Forest was established and is maintained for enjoyment
by you and future generations. In the interests of safety
and the protection of park resources, we must insist that
you:
Campground users
must have both a camping
permit and a vehicle pass
and must camp only in
designated campsites. Display the camping permit in the
site marker. Before camping in the backcountry, campers
should check with a ranger or at the Visitor Center for
information.
State Forest State Park offers campers 158 developed
sites in four different campgrounds and primitive sites
available throughout the park. Developed sites can
accommodate tents, trailers or pick up campers. There are
32 electric sites available at Ranger Lakes Campground
only. Back-country camping is available throughout the
park as well, including alpine areas such as Ruby Jewel,
Kelly, Clear and American
Lakes. Minimum impact
camping techniques are
recommended in these
areas. There is no camping
allowed at Lake Agnes.
Camping
14
State Forest campsites and cabins may be reserved.
Reservations can be made by calling 1-800-678-2267,
or (303) 470-1144 in the Denver metro area. Reservations
can also be made online at www.cpw.state.co.us.
In addition to a parks pass, all campers are required
to purchase and display a valid camping permit at
their campsite.
Passes, Permits, Fees
Wildlife Watching
Cabins And Yurts
In 1995, the Colorado State Legislature designated
North Park as the Moose
Viewing Capital of
Colorado. Close to a third
of the moose in North
Park are located in State
Forest State Park. Moose
can be viewed year-round
throughout the park. The
park is also rich in other
wildlife including elk, mule deer, beaver, fox, eagles, river
otter and black bear.
Hiking
There are popular trails that lead to Ruby Jewel, Kelly,
Clear, Agnes and American Lakes, as well as many other
locations throughout the park. A National Park Service
backcountry permit is necessary if a backpacking trip is
planned into Rocky Mountain National Park.
Winter Recreation
Winter activities include skiing, snow-shoeing and
snowmobiling on separate, extensive trail systems. Some
snowmobile trails are packed or groomed.
Rustic, historic cabins
are available on a rental
basis at North Michigan
Reservoir year round.
Call 1-800-678-2267 or
303-470-1144 to reserve
a cabin. State Forest
State Park’s eight yurts,
Nokhu Hut and Agnes Creek Cabin can be reserved
through Never Summer Nordic at 970-723-4070 or at www.
neversummernordic.com.
Dump Station
A
COLORADO
PA R K S
&
WILDLIFE
Your Guide to
Colorado’s 41
State Parks
2018 Edition
cpw.state.co.us
CAMPING RESERVATIONS • 1-800-244-5613 • cpw.state.co.us
i
Welcome to Your State Parks!
Wherever you go in Colorado, there’s
Cheyenne Mountain
a state park waiting to welcome
State Park
you. Mountains or prairies, rivers or
forests, out in the country or next to
the city… Colorado’s 41 state parks are
as diverse as the state itself, and they
offer something for everyone. Take a
hair-raising whitewater river trip, or
kick back in a lawn chair and watch
the sunset. Enjoy a family picnic, cast
a line in the water, take a hike, ride a
horse, try snowshoeing or discover
geocaching. From Eastern Plains
parks at 3,800 feet to high-mountain
parks at 9,500, the network of state
parks offers a wealth of activities
for busy people of all ages, or the
chance to do nothing at all. You can play on land or on water. On
a high peak or on the prairie. In the country or the city. In spring,
summer, winter or fall.
Golden Gate Canyon State Park
State parks are great places for families. There are plenty of
activities for families to enjoy together such as boating, hiking or
picnicking, as well as organized nature walks, talks and events.
Junior Ranger programs, activity backpacks, kid-friendly hikes
and fishing ponds for kids are among the many offerings for
youth. From toddler to teen and adult to senior, every family
member can enjoy their activity of choice, then come together to
share a meal and stories around the campfire.
Whether you’re an active
outdoor recreationist
or prefer to spend time
watching clouds go by,
you’ll enjoy the special
moments waiting for you
in the state parks.
Rifle Gap State Park
Cover photos:
Large photo: State Forest State Park; lower left: Pearl Lake State Park; lower center: Elkhead State Park;
lower right: Lory State Park
Plan Your Visit
Colorado’s state parks are open every day of the year, weather
permitting. Day-use areas are generally open from 5 a.m. to
10 p.m., and some parks may have closed gates after hours.
Campgrounds are open 24 hours a day. Contact individual
parks for hours of operation. Check our website for seasonal or
maintenance closures: cpw.state.co.us
Entrance Passes
All Colorado state parks charge an entrance fee. Cost of a daily
pass may vary by park ($7–$9). A pass covers all occupants of a
vehicle and is valid until noon the day after purchase. Some parks
may charge a per-person fee for cyclists and walk-ins. Fees are used
to help pay operating costs. Cherry Creek State Park charges an
additional fee for the Cherry Creek Basin Water Quality Authority.
Annual Pass
Who doesn’t love a deal? And the state parks annual pass is a
great one. For just one low price, the annual pass lets you enjoy
all 41 state parks for unlimited visits for 12 months from date of
purchase. That’s all the parks. That’s
unlimited times. The annual pass
pays for itself in as few as 10 visits.
If you’re a Colorado resident who’s
64 years or older, there’s even a
further discounted Aspen Leaf
annual pass. There are also passes
for disabled and income-eligible
residents. For details and to purchase a pass,
visit a Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) office, state park or buy
online: cpw.state.co.us
Extend Your Stay
Make more of your state park visit
by staying overnight. Bring your
tent or RV, spend a cozy night in a
cabin, camp in a tipi or discover a
comfortable, year-round alternative
State Forest State Park
to traditional camping with a yurt.
All together, the state parks have
more than 4,000 campsites and 58 cabins and yurts. Almost 300
campsites are ADA accessible. Many parks offer campsites or cabins
for large groups. Heated cabins and yurts make a park getaway
suitable any season of the year.
Camping Reservations
Summer weekends fill up quickly so advance reservations for
overnight stays are recommended. Reservations can be made six
months to three days ahead of arrival.
Reserve online: cpw.state.co.us
Toll Free: 1-800-244-5613
A nonrefundable reservation fee applies to bookings, and visitors
must purchase a daily or annual entrance pass in addition to
paying camping and reservation fees. Unreserved sites are
available on a first-come, first-served basis.
1
What Can I Do There?
Colorado’s state parks are places to have fun, get away, recreate and
re-create. Here are some park activities to help you do that:
Fishing
Top-notch fishing awaits anglers in 37 state parks across Colorado.
Think Gold Medal Waters and trophy fish. A valid fishing license
is required for all anglers 16 years and older. Licenses and our
annual Colorado Fishing regulations brochure are available online,
at most parks and at CPW authorized sales agents.
Water Sports
Many state parks are built around a lake or
Crawford
waterway, which means boating and other water
State Park
sports are among the headliners. Larger parks
offer boat rentals and full-service marinas. Any
boat with a motor or sail operated in Col
