• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Uncover Colorado Logo

  • Blog
  • Activities
  • Events
  • Towns
  • Lodging
  • Dining
  • Transport
  • Made in CO
  • Search
  • Blog
  • Activities
  • Events
  • Towns
  • Lodging
  • Dining
  • Transport
  • Made in CO
  • Search
Arapaho National Forest
Berthoud Pass winds through the Arapaho National Forest.

Arapaho National Forest – near Golden

3
SHARES
FacebookTwitter

Arapaho National Forest contains more than 1100 square miles of recreation. It’s located in north-central Colorado, stretching from south of I-70 to north near Rocky Mountain National Park.

Most Denver residents will utilize the Arapaho National Forest the most. It’s located just west of the capitol city with access points off I-70. Arapaho Basin Ski Area is located within the Arapaho National Forest. Guanella Pass is one of the post popular scenic drives and camping spots in the region.

Main Attractions

Arapaho National Recreation Area

Arapaho National Recreation Area – Granby

Argentine Peak in Colorado, USA

Argentine Pass – Georgetown

Berthoud Pass, CO

Berthoud Pass – Empire-Winter Park

Clear Lake in Georgetown, CO

Clear Lake – Georgetown

Devil's Thumb Lake, CO

Devil’s Thumb Lake – Nederland

Echo Lake

Echo Lake Mountain Park – Idaho Springs

Eisenhower Tunnel, CO

Eisenhower–Johnson Memorial Tunnel – Dillon

Guanella Pass

Guanella Pass Byway – Georgetown-Grant

Indian Peaks Wilderness Summer Colorado

Indian Peaks Wilderness – Nederland

James Peak Wilderness Colorado

James Peak Wilderness – Rollinsville

Sunset Hike at Jones Pass, Colorado

Jones Pass – Empire

Moffat Tunnel, CO

Moffat Tunnel – Rollinsville-Winter Park

Mount Evans Scenic Byway

Mount Evans Byway – Idaho Springs

Never Summer Wilderness Baker's Pass View

Never Summer Wilderness – near Grand Lake

Rollins Pass, Colorado

Rollins Pass – Rollinsville-Winter Park

Saint Louis Creek

Saint Louis Creek – Fraser

Squaw Pass Road Evergreen CO

Squaw Pass – Evergreen-Idaho Springs

Stillwater Pass

Stillwater Pass – Grand Lake

Vasquez Ridge

Vasquez Ridge – Winter Park

Williams Fork Reservoir Grand County Colorado

Williams Fork Reservoir – Parshall

Echo Lake is a high-alpine lake located at the entrance to the Mount Evans Scenic Byway. Camping, fishing and hiking are the main activities. An outstanding scenic byway, Guanella Pass is accessible nearly year round. From Georgetown to Grant, this 2WD road takes about an hour. Situated between Empire and Winter Park, Berthoud Pass is popular for biking, hiking and backcountry skiing. Snowmobiling can be found in nearby Jonas Pass.

Located in Grand County, Vasquez Ridge is a prime place to car camp and hike very close to Winter Park. There is also a small fishing pond and various OHV trails. Its neighbor Saint Louis Creek is a great area by Fraser for hiking and biking. To the north of that lies Stillwater Pass. It holds dispersed camping and multi-use trails close to Lake Granby and Grand Lake. The Arapaho National Rec Area is home to 5 great lakes north of Granby on Highway 34. There are numerous campgrounds and trails to choose from.

Activities: Biking, Boating, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Hunting, Picnicking, OHV, Scenic Drives, Winter Rec – Cross Country Skiing, Snowmobiling, Snowshoeing

Read about the Camping near Georgetown and Idaho Springs.

Read about the Camping near Granby and Grand Lake.

Read about the Camping near Kremmling, Parshall and Hot Sulphur Springs.

National Forests Grasslands Map
Map of 11 national forests and 2 grasslands.
Visitor center on top of Berthoud Pass.
Berthoud Pass on the Continental Divide.
Continental Divide Trail.
The trail goes up the hill side.
Idlewild Campground in Winter Park.
Idlewild has 24 non-electric sites, that can hold RVs or tents.
All the sites are on a wooded hillside next to Highway 40.
Another campsite at Idlewild.

Details

Nearby Towns:

  • Fraser
  • Georgetown
  • Granby
  • Grand Lake
  • Keystone
  • Winter Park

Map: Arapaho (shown in red) (.png)

Motor Vehicle Use Maps: Large, PDF’s from the USFS. They show forest service roads and where dispersed camping is permitted.

  • Clear Creek – Loveland Pass, Empire, Georgetown, Idaho Springs
  • Sulphur North – Grand Lake, Granby
  • Sulphur South – Hot Sulphur Springs, Fraser, Winter Park

Arapaho Campgrounds: Reservations

Website: fs.usda.gov/arp

Primary Sidebar

Join our Colorado travel community

Enter your email below and grab our free locals' guide and monthly what's up designed to help you live your Colorado life and uncover fun things to do. —and never miss out again.

Colorado National Forests

  • All Federal Lands
  • All National Forests
  • Arapaho
  • Grand Mesa
  • Gunnison
  • Pike
  • Rio Grande
  • Roosevelt
  • Routt
  • San Isabel
  • San Juan
  • Uncompahgre
  • White River

Footer

Get In Touch

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Write For Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Resources
Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter

Disclosure: Uncover Colorado is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Things To Do

  • Travel Blog
  • Colorado Activities
  • Colorado Events
  • Colorado Towns
  • Colorado Hotels
  • Colorado Restaurants
  • Colorado Transportation
  • Made in Colorado

Visit Mile High Happy Hour for Denver neighborhoods' restaurant happy hours.

Winter Activities

  • Camping
  • Cross Country Skiing
  • Federal Lands
  • Hot Springs
  • Ice Skating
  • Skiing and Snowboarding
  • Snow Tubing
  • State Parks

Vacation like a VIP! Leisurely Lifestyle shares life and travel hacks, as well as cheap luxury travel.

Copyright © 2021 · Uncover Colorado - Vacations, Travel & Tourism | Sitemap | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer