State Forest State Park - Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Funded in part by Great Outdoors Colorado
through Colorado Lottery proceeds.
CPW_SFSP_12K_3/16
cpw.state.co.us
cpw.state.co.us
56750 Hwy. 14 • Walden, CO 80480
(970) 723-8366 • E-mail: [email protected]
State Forest State Park
To Granby
To Steamboat
GOULD
125
14
14
To Ft. Collins
State Forest
State Park
WALDEN
125
COWDRY
Jcr 6E
127
To Laramie
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.
Colorado disabled veterans displaying Colorado
Disabled Veteran (DV) license plates are admitted free
without a pass.
Location Map
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 the State Forest State
Park. Moose can often
be viewed along County
Road 41. The park is
also rich in other wildlife
including elk, mule deer,
beaver, fox, eagles, river
otter and black bear.
© BUD SMITH
42 STATE PARKS FOR YOU TO ENJOY
State Forest
State Park
General Information
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
Within the boundaries of the Colorado State Forest
lie 71,000 acres of the great outdoors as it was meant
to be. Eye-filling mountain beauty greets the visitor
and provides a setting unequalled for recreational
possibilities – backpacking, hiking, horseback riding,
lake and stream fishing, camping, four-wheeling and
just relaxing.
Religious, medical and community facilities are
available in Walden. Camping supplies and food are
available nearby.
The 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.
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.
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
drive. From Denver, the route leads over Berthoud and
Willow Creek passes to Walden, a 150-mile trip.
Facilities
The State Forest’s recreational uses are
administered by Colorado State Parks, which has leased
the area for public recreation from the Colorado Board
of Land Commissioners since 1972.
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.
Ranger Lakes Campground provides 32 electric
sites. Ranger Lakes, Crags, North Michigan and
Bockman campgrounds have 158 campsites which
can accommodate tents, trailers or pickup campers.
Backcountry camping is allowed at various locations
throughout the area including, Ruby Jewel, Kelly,
Clear and American lakes. Minimum impact camping
techniques are
recommended at these
alpine lakes areas. No
camping is allowed in the
Lake Agnes area. There
are 66 dispersed camping
sites available throughout
the park.
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
Hiking
Trails lead to Ruby Jewel, Kelly, Clear, Agnes and
American lakes. Camping is not permitted in the Lake
Agnes area. A National Park Service backcountry permit
is necessary if a backpacking trip is planned into Rocky
Mountain National Park.
Rustic, historic cabins
are available on a rental
basis at North Michigan
Reservoir year round.
Call 1-800-678-2267 or
(303) 470-1144 in the
Denver metro area to
reserve a cabin. State
Forest State Park’s seven
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 dump station is located near the maintenance shop
at the North Michigan Entrance off County Road 41. Please
use this facility. It is illegal to dump waste and sewage,
including dishwater, anywhere except in a holding tank.
Boating
Winter Recreation
Winter activities include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling on separate, extensive trail
systems. Some snowmobile trails are packed or groomed.
Boating is permitted only on North Michigan
Reservoir. Power boats can be operated only at wakeless
speeds. All other waters in the park are closed to boating.
Fishing
Regulations
Only artificial fly and lure fishing is permitted in
the alpine lakes. Brook, brown, cutthroat and rainbow
trout can be caught. Ranger Lakes and North Michigan
Reservoir follow standard state regulations.
Complete park regulations are posted at each
entrance. The 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:
5. Purchase and display valid permits for all
vehicles and campsites.
4. Please put all litter in trash receptacles provided.
3. Operate vehicles only on roads, motorized trails
or parking lots. Off-road driving can damage
resources and wildlife habitats.
2. Build fires only in designated areas. No fires are allowed in the back country.
1. Keep pets on a leash no longer than six feet to
avoid confrontations with other pets, people
and wildlife.
Vegetation
Lodgepole pine, spruce, fir and aspen make up
most of the forest. There are grassy meadows, sagebrush
hillsides and willowy stream courses. Tundra and
alpine meadows are found above 11,000 feet. At all
elevations throughout the park there is a vast array of
colorful wildflowers in mid-summer, including the
Colorado columbine.
OHV And Four-Wheel Drive
Many miles of trails exist for OHV and four-wheel
drive enthusiasts. Trails range in difficulty from novice to
challenging. Motorized travel is restricted to designated
roads and trails. All OHVs must be registered.
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.
Ranger Lakes Campground provides 32 electric
sites. Ranger Lakes, Crags, North Michigan and
Bockman campgrounds have 158 campsites which
can accommodate tents, trailers or pickup campers.
Backcountry camping is allowed at various locations
throughout the area including, Ruby Jewel, Kelly,
Clear and American lakes. Minimum impact camping
techniques are
recommended at these
alpine lakes areas. No
camping is allowed in the
Lake Agnes area. There
are 66 dispersed camping
sites available throughout
the park.
Camping
Funded in part by Great Outdoors Colorado
through Colorado Lottery proceeds.
cpw.state.co.us
56750 Hwy. 14 • Walden, CO 80480
(970) 723-8366 • E-mail: [email protected]
State Forest State Park
To Granby
To Steamboat
GOULD
125
14
14
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.
Colorado disabled veterans displaying Colorado
Disabled Veteran (DV) license plates are admitted free
without a pass.
To Ft. Collins
State Forest
State Park
WALDEN
125
COWDRY
Jcr 6E
127
To Laramie
Location Map
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.
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.
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.
Passes, Permits, Fees
cpw.state.co.us
CPW_SFSP_12K_3/16
First Aid/Assistance
Religious, medical and community facilities are
available in Walden. Camping supplies and food are
available nearby.
Facilities
42 STATE PARKS FOR YOU TO ENJOY
State Forest
State Park
C O L O R A D O PA R K S & W I L D L I F E
Wildlife Watching
Cabins And Yurts
Within the boundaries of the Colorado State Forest
lie 71,000 acres of the great outdoors as it was meant
to be. Eye-filling mountain beauty greets the visitor
and provides a setting unequalled for recreational
possibilities – backpacking, hiking, horseback riding,
lake and stream fishing, camping, four-wheeling and
just relaxing.
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 the State Forest State
Park. Moose can often
be viewed along County
Road 41. The park is
also rich in other wildlife
including elk, mule deer,
beaver, fox, eagles, river
otter and black bear.
Rustic, historic cabins
are available on a rental
basis at North Michigan
Reservoir year round.
Call 1-800-678-2267 or
(303) 470-1144 in the
Denver metro area to
reserve a cabin. State
Forest State Park’s seven
yurts, Nokhu Hut and Agnes Creek Cabin can be reserved
through Never Summer Nordic at (970) 723-4070 or at
www.neversummernordic.com.
The 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.
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
drive. From Denver, the route leads over Berthoud and
Willow Creek passes to Walden, a 150-mile trip.
The State Forest’s recreational uses are
administered by Colorado State Parks, which has leased
the area for public recreation from the Colorado Board
of Land Commissioners since 1972.
© BUD SMITH
General Information
Hiking
Trails lead to Ruby Jewel, Kelly, Clear, Agnes and
American lakes. Camping is not permitted in the Lake
Agnes area. A National Park Service backcountry permit
is necessary if a backpacking trip is planned into Rocky
Mountain National Park.
Dump Station
A dump station is located near the maintenance shop
at the North Michigan Entrance off County Road 41. Please
use this facility. It is illegal to dump waste and sewage,
including dishwater, anywhere except in a holding tank.
Winter Recreation
Boating
Winter activities include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling on separate, extensive trail
systems. Some snowmobile trails are packed or groomed.
Boating is permitted only on North Michigan
Reservoir. Power boats can be operated only at wakeless
speeds. All other waters in the park are closed to boating.
Regulations
Fishing
Complete park regulations are posted at each
entrance. The 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:
Only artificial fly and lure fishing is permitted in
the alpine lakes. Brook, brown, cutthroat and rainbow
trout can be caught. Ranger Lakes and North Michigan
Reservoir follow standard state regulations.
1. Keep pets on a leash no longer than six feet to
avoid confrontations with other pets, people
and wildlife.
2. Build fires only in designated areas. No fires are allowed in the back country.
3. Operate vehicles only on roads, motorized trails
or parking lots. Off-road driving can damage
resources and wildlife habitats.
4. Please put all litter in trash receptacles provided.
5. Purchase and display valid permits for all
vehicles and campsites.
Vegetation
Lodgepole pine, spruce, fir and aspen make up
most of the forest. There are grassy meadows, sagebrush
hillsides and willowy stream courses. Tundra and
alpine meadows are found above 11,000 feet. At all
elevations throughout the park there is a vast array of
colorful wildflowers in mid-summer, including the
Colorado columbine.
OHV And Four-Wheel Drive
Many miles of trails exist for OHV and four-wheel
drive enthusiasts. Trails range in difficulty from novice to
challenging. Motorized travel is restricted to designated
roads and trails. All OHVs must be registered.
State Forest State Park Trail Map
Clear Lake Trail
Kelly Lake Trail
Clear Lake
Trail
Kelly Lake
Trail
Kelly
Lake
Hidden Valley Trail
Moose
Overlook
Mountain View
Nature Trail
Jewel
Lake
North Canadian Trail
Ruby Jewel Trail
Custer Draw Road
Medicine Bow Mountains
Custer
Draw
Trail
Ruby Jewel Road
Francisco
Loop
Road
South
Canadian
Road
Lumberjack Trail
Bull Mtn. Road
North
Michigan
Entrace
Corral Spur
Kiwi Road
Bockman
Beaver
Lodge
NatureTrail
To Walden
North
Michigan
To Fort Collins
Pennock Trail
Montgomery Pass Road
Bockman Road
Gould Mountain Road
Grass Creek Road
Montgomery Pass Trail
Diamond Peaks Trail
(Closed to full size vehicles)
Moose Visitor Center
Gould Loop
Trail
Michigan Ditch Entrance
Bockman
Road
Michigan
Ditch Trail
Bockman
Entrance
Ranger Lakes
Crags
Entrance
Ranger Lakes
Nature Trail
Crags
American
Lakes Trail
Michigan
Ditch Trail
Seven Utes Trail
Lake
Agnes
Trail
Silver Creek Road
Michigan
Lakes
Lake
Agnes
Snow
Lake
Never Summer Mountains
TRAIL MAP LEGEND
ALL TRAILS AND ROADS ARE OPEN TO
HIKING, BIKING, AND HORSEBACK RIDING.
NOW AVAILABLE!
MOTORIZED ROAD
The Complete
Trail Guide
NON-MOTORIZED TRAIL
TRAIL KEY
MAP SYMBOLS
Boat Ramp
Parking
Cabins
Phone
Campground
Trailhead
Entrance Station
Visitor Center
Fee Station
Yurt
A full color guide to all
Summer and Winter
trails and activities.
All Season Motorized Road
Horse Corral
Scenic Byway
All Season Motorized 4WD Road
Nature Trail
County Road
Overlook
Forest Service Road
Water Proof & Tear Proof!
Summer Motorized / Winter Non-Motorized
Available at the
Moose Visitor Center
(Free with donation)
All Season Non-Motorized Trail
Summer Non-Motorized / Winter Motorized
Winter Only Motorized Road Connection
Winter Only Non-Motorized Trail Connection
LAND AREAS
State Forest
State Park
Bureau of Land
Management
National Park Service
National Forest
State of Colorado
USFS Wilderness