Pike National Forest – Central Colorado | Biking, Boating, Camping, Hiking and Fishing

Pike National Forest comprises around 1,729 sq miles in the Front Range. It’s contains most of the forest going west from Colorado Springs.

It’s one of the closest national forests to Denver, yet it’s often overlooked. Highlights include the Deckers region for fishing and camping, as well as shades of forests to access to the west, between Colorado Springs and Denver.

Main Attractions

From Colorado Springs west the Pike National Forest looms on either side. There are so many marvelous things to do in this heavily wooded region. These marvels are easy to reach from the Front Range, perfect for a two night getaway

Antero Reservoir Colorado Collegiate Peaks

Antero Reservoir – Hartsel

Buffalo Peaks Wilderness Snow Tracks Colorado

Buffalo Peaks Wilderness – Leadville

Georgia Pass – Jefferson-Breckenridge

Guanella Pass Byway – Georgetown-Grant

Kenosha Pass – Grant-Jefferson

Lost Creek Wilderness – Fairplay

Red Cone Pass – Grant-Montezuma

Tennessee Pass – Leadville-Red Cliff

Weston Pass – Fairplay-Leadville

A view of the top of Wilkerson Pass in Park County, Colorado

Wilkerson Pass – Hartsel-Lake George

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

Camping – With great proximity to both Denver and Colorado Springs, camping in Pike National Forest is convenient and exceptional. There are a lot of USFS Pike Campgrounds to choose from.

Read about the Camping near Fairplay, around South Park.

Read about the Camping near Lake George, around Eleven Mile Reservoir.

Nearby Activities: Park County , located within the South Park basin is an outdoorsman’s paradise. Fishing and hunting are prime in this part of Colorado. Blue ribbon fly-fishing and trophy elk hunting are reasons to visit the Pike National Forest each season. Antero Reservoir is a great place for boating and fishing, located just west of Hartsel. You can camp there too.

Spinney Mountain & Eleven Mile are two other popular places to boat and fish in the area, with access to the infamous ‘Dream Stream’, part of the South Platte River. Places like Cripple Creek and Woodland Park make great bases for exploring the nearby Colorado wilderness.