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Endless ridge-lines of the western Indian Peaks Wilderness.
The wild western side of the Indian Peaks Wilderness in Arapaho National Forest: Photo by: Timo Holmquist

Arapaho National Forest – by Golden

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Arapaho National Forest contains more than 723,744 acres (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.

Denver residents will likely utilize the Arapaho National Forest the most as it’s located just west of the capital city with numerous access points off I-70 and many popular trails. Arapaho National Forest and Roosevelt National Forest are managed together.

Main Attractions

Popular and easy to get to, Arapaho National Forest has a lot to offer, including towering 14,000-foot mountains, lakes, long stretches of alpine, and multiple opportunities for camping. You can reach large stretches of the National Forest from Denver, Boulder, Idaho Springs, Winter Park, Granby, Georgetown, Blackhawk, and Summit County. Below are just some of the various activities you can do out here.

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 Guanella Pass Colorado

Clear Lake – Georgetown

Corona Pass Colorado Ghost Town

Corona, CO Ghost Town – by Rollinsville

Devil's Thumb Lake, CO

Devil’s Thumb Lake – Nederland

Echo Lake

Echo Lake Mountain Park – Idaho Springs

Eisenhower Tunnel, CO

Eisenhowerโ€“Johnson Memorial Tunnel – Dillon

Grays Peak Trail, Front Range, Colorado

Grays Peak – near Georgetown

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

Colorado State Flag

Loch Lomond – Empire

Squaw Pass Road Evergreen CO

Mestaaโ€™ฤ–hehe (formerly Squaw) Pass – Evergreen-Idaho Springs

Snow covered Squaw Mountain peak

Mestaaโ€™ฤ–hehe Mountain Fire Lookout – Idaho Springs

Moffat Tunnel, CO

Moffat Tunnel – Rollinsville-Winter Park

Monarch Lake, Granby, Colorado

Monarch Lake – Granby

Mount Bierstadt, CO

Mount Bierstadt – near Georgetown

Mount Evans, Colorado

Mount Evans – near Idaho Springs

Car heading up Mt. Evans Byway with cloudy blue skies

Mount Evans Byway – Idaho Springs

Never Summer Wilderness Baker's Pass View

Never Summer Wilderness – by Grand Lake

Rollins Pass, Colorado

Rollins Pass – Rollinsville-Winter Park

Saint Louis Creek

Saint Louis Creek – Fraser

Image of St Mary's Glacier in Idaho Springs, Colorado

Saint Maryโ€™s Glacier – Idaho Springs

Stillwater Pass

Stillwater Pass – Grand Lake

Vasquez Ridge

Vasquez Ridge – Winter Park

Williams Fork Reservoir Grand County Colorado

Williams Fork Reservoir – Parshall

Willow Creek Dam Colorado

Willow Creek – near Granby

Winter Park Scenic Gondola, CO

Winter Park Scenic Gondola

Map of Arapaho National Forest

National Forests Grasslands Map
Map of 11 national forests and 2 grasslands.

The Arapaho National Forest contains very rugged terrain, including three 14,000-foot mountains. The top elevation occurs on the summit of Grays Peak at 14,278 feet. Interestingly, Grays Peak is also the highest point along the Continental Divide in all of North America. The lowest elevations hover near 7,700 feet along Chicago Creek south of Idaho Springs.

Despite its popularity, there are still deep pockets of wilderness within Arapaho National Forest, such as the western and northern parts of the Indian Peaks, the southern portion of the Never Summer Range, and the deep drainages around Byers Peak.

Biking

Arapaho National Forest is brimming with bike potential. There are quality paved options like the Bakerville-Loveland Trail paralleling Clear Creek and I-70. You can also cycle on road shoulders up and down some of the tallest mountain passes in the Front Range like Loveland, Berthoud, and Guanella.

For the properly motivated, Mt. Evans Scenic Byway can give you nearly 7,000 feet of paved vertical climbing (and eventually descending) from Idaho Springs to the summit ridge of the most visible 14er from Denver.

For the mountain biking faithful, Arapaho National Forest delivers. The challenging and gorgeous Jones Pass Road to Herman Gulch route offers consistent rises, long stretches of alpine, and rocky sections sure to thrill and challenge experienced bikers.

Just north of Central City, you can ride a series of fantastic trails on Maryland Mountain. Winter Park also has a terrific local mountain biking network with hundreds of miles of trails.

Sunlight streaming through the clouds on the Mount Evans Road.
Beautiful alpine scenery along Mount Evans Road. Photo by: notnyt

Boating

Like many neighboring national forests, there are some stellar boating options to take advantage of. One of the best is Lake Granby, the second largest body of water in Colorado, and Shadow Mountain Lake, both in Grand County. Adjacent to the northwestern edge of the forest boundary, Williams Fork Reservoir is also popular for boating and generally less crowded than other options.

Non-motorized boating is allowed on multiple smaller bodies of water, including Georgetown Lake, Echo Lake, Summit Lake, Monarch Lake, and the Forest Lakes near Rollinsville. Each of them has either paved road access or dirt road access for hauling in canoes and kayaks.

Camping

There are many established and primitive camping sites in and around Arapaho National Forest. Some of the more popular areas include the multiple sites between Granby and Grand Lake, Echo Lake Campground, and near Idaho Springs and Georgetown. Vasquez Ridge is also a prime place to car camp close to Winter Park.

Like many national forests, primitive camping is allowed in various places, although restrictions apply to the most popular areas likeย Guanella Pass. Good dispersed camping options exist on the eastern shore of Lake Granby, around Meadow Creek Reservoir, and upย Stillwater Passย in Grand County. Jones Pass Road in Clear Creek County also leads to some excellent sites.

  • 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.
Looking east from Guanella Pass Road at the Sawtooth and Mount Bierstadt.
Looking east from the Guanella Pass Road to Mount Bierstadt and Sawtooth Ridge. Photo by: Tom Wilberding

Fishing

Because I-70 passes right alongside it, fishing on Georgetown Lake is quite popular, and the lake is stocked with trout. Lake Granby, Willow Creek Reservoir, Monarch Lake, and Williams Fork Reservoir are also good options for still-water fishing.

Colorado is known as a fly fishing haven, and the many mountain streams in the area cement that reputation. Dependable options include sections of Clear Creek, St. Louis Creek, the Fraser River, and the Colorado River, which originates in nearby Rocky Mountain National Park and meanders through Lake Granby.

Hiking

Perhaps one of the most popular trails in the state, Herman Gulch is a beautiful adventure with a convenient I-70 exit (218) that leads right to the trailhead. One exit to the east in Bakersville (221) provides access to the popular 14ers Grays and Torreys Peak.

Both Loveland Pass and Berthoud Pass have enjoyable sections of the trail leading to endless alpine ridges, and a few miles north of Berthoud’s summit is a trail leading to the backcountry Broome Hut. Similarly, Guenalla Pass has established trails on both sides, with one direction leading to the 14er Mt. Bierstadtย and the other leading to countless 13ers and alpine lakes.

Additionally, there are many trails along the Mt. Evans Scenic Byway, and if you take exit 238 up Fall River Road from I-70, you can get to the St. Marys Glacier Trail, which also doubles as the quickest way to summit James Peak.

OHV

Looking north from the top of Rollins Pass with the undulating crest of the Continental Divide front and center.
Looking north from the top of Rollins Pass. Photo by: Timo Holmquist

While mostly known for its ski resort, the area around Winter Park has a great reputation for dirt roads and OHV territory. One of the best introductory dirt roads is Rollins Pass (also known as Corona Pass), which takes off from just outside the ski resort until it tops out on the continental divide with 100-mile views.

Rollins Pass Road used to connect with its eastern half, originating near Rollinsville, but a series of old, decaying train trestles, tunnels, and bridges block an easy connection. Both halves are separately drivable, although the eastern section is rockier and demands a higher clearance vehicle.

Jones Pass Road is also a great out-and-back dirt road that leads to dozens of primitive camping sites and can be driven by most vehicles with decent ground clearance. The heavily trafficked Yankee Hill off-roading trail is a local favorite closer to Idaho Springs.

Scenic Drives

The Guanelle Pass Scenic Byway is a beautiful drive that takes you through multiple environments and leads to a gentle alpine pass surrounded by towering mountains. The road passes numerous hiking trails and camping areas tucked into beautiful mountain terrain. Since it is free and easily reached, this area is exceptionally popular.

Mount Evans Recreation Area and Scenic Byway is also a fantastic drive, climbing more than 7,000 feet from Idaho Springs to the shoulder of Mt. Evans. Although it doesn’t top out on the summit, the top is an easy hike from the parking lot, and the road climbs high enough to earn the distinction of the highest paved road in the US.

Winter Recreation

Clear, cold day at Loveland Ski Resort in late December.
Looking at the subalpine and alpine terrain of Loveland Ski Resort. Photo by: Timo Holmquist

Arapaho National Forest has its fair share of great winter recreation. Winter Park and Loveland Ski Resort provide dependable inbounds terrain, and snowmobiling around the western side of Corona Pass is very popular. Winter Park and neighboring Devil’s Thumb Ranch also have comprehensive cross-country skiing terrain that’s worth exploring.

Many people try backcountry skiing for the first time at either Loveland Pass or Berthoud Pass, with the latter having been a former ski resort for many years before closing in the late 90s. Backcountry skiing comes with substantial risk and shouldn’t be attempted by anyone without appropriate gear.

Snowshoeing is also popular along trails like Herman Gulch and in the Arapaho National Recreation Area.

Arapaho National Forest, CO
Picnic area near Clear Lake, Arapaho National Forest. Photo: Cyndi and Dave

Wild, diverse, and easy to get to, Arapaho National Forest is a great destination for half-day, full-day, and multi-day adventures. And while it can get crowded along the I-70 corridor, a little exploration yields big views, tranquil waters, and a chance to connect with nature.

Berthoud Pass Visitor Center
Visitor center on top of Berthoud Pass.
Arapaho National Forest Berthoud Pass
Berthoud Pass on the Continental Divide.
Arapaho National Forest Continental Divide Trail
Continental Divide Trail.
Arapaho National Forest Berthoud Pass
The trail goes up the hillside.
Arapaho National Forest Idlewild Campground
Idlewild Campground in Winter Park.
Arapaho National Forest Idlewild Campground
Idlewild has 24 non-electric sites, that can hold RVs or tents.
Arapaho National Forest Idlewild Campsite
All the sites are on a wooded hillside next to Highway 40.
Arapaho National Forest Idlewild Campsite
Another campsite at Idlewild.

Details

Nearby Towns:

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

Map:

  • Arapaho (PNG)
  • Clear Creek (PDF) โ€“ Loveland Pass, Empire, Georgetown, Idaho Springs
  • Sulphur North (PDF) โ€“ Grand Lake, Granby
  • Sulphur South (PDF) โ€“ Hot Sulphur Springs, Fraser, Winter Park

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

Arapaho Campgrounds: Reservations

Website: fs.usda.gov/arp

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