STATE FOREST STATE PARK
State Forest State Park is a vast, 71,000-acre wilderness area offering diverse wildlife viewing and outdoor activities. It's home to moose populations and features over 600 campsites along with cabins for lodging. The park offers hiking trails through dense forests, fishing spots on the North Michigan Reservoir or ranger-led tours that educate visitors about local flora and fauna. In winter months it transforms into a snowy playground ideal for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing.
The park was established in 1970. It spans over 71,000 acres and is home to diverse wildlife species. The area features more than 600 campsites and cabins for visitors' accommodation.
The North Michigan Reservoir within its boundaries offers recreational activities like fishing, boating etc., while winter sports are popular due to heavy snowfall.
It's known as "moose viewing capital of Colorado" with an estimated population of around six hundred moose inhabiting it.
A visitor center named Moose Visitor Center provides information about local flora & fauna along with various educational programs.
All Colorado State Parks have entrance fees. All vehicles are required to have an entrance pass and some parks have walk-in fees. Visit the
Colorado Park Entrance Pass web page.
The Crags Campground offers visitors 25 developed sites that are on the reservation system.
Access to this area is steep, narrow and winding. We do not recommend this campground for trailers or motor homes.
Ranger Lakes- this campground offers 31 electric sites and is directly accessible from Highway 14 and within a short walk of Ranger Lakes fishing areas.
North Michigan
This campground borders the North Michigan reservoir and provides easy access to fishing and hiking. The campground is divided into the North Side and the South Side. The North Side has 13 campsites and six cabins. Site 207 is universally accessible. The South Side offers 35 campsites, with 5 pull-through sites.
Anglers can enjoy river, stream, and lake fishing. Species include trout (rainbow, brown, brook), kokanee salmon, and grayling.
State Forest State Park is
State Forest State Park offers scenic picnic areas with tables, grills, and nearby hiking trails amidst mountainous landscapes.
When considering bicycling in this park, it's important to be aware of the varying terrain and weather conditions. The trails can offer a mix of experiences from easy rides to challenging mountain biking.
The Gould Loop is an option for those seeking a less strenuous ride through forested areas with potential wildlife sightings.
For more experienced riders, Seven Utes Trail presents technical challenges and steep climbs; caution is advised due to its difficulty level.
Bockman Road provides access across multiple terrains but may require good bike handling skills on mixed surfaces.
Riders should always check trail statuses before heading out as conditions can change rapidly, especially during transitional seasons like spring or fall.
- American Lakes Trail: 6.4 miles round trip, moderate difficulty level with stunning views of the Never Summer Mountain Range.
- Bockman Road Loop: A challenging 12-mile loop trail that offers a variety of activities and is best used from March until October.
- Clear Lake Trail: This moderately difficult hike spans approximately four miles one way; it features beautiful wildflowers in season and ends at an alpine lake.
- Gould Loop Trail: An easy to navigate three mile long trail which provides panoramic mountain vistas along its route.
- Grass Creek Trails System (East/West): These trails are about seven miles each, offering hikers peaceful solitude through dense forest areas filled with wildlife sightings possible throughout the year.
- Kelly Lake Hike via Michigan Ditch Tail & Nokhu Crags Spur : Approximately nine-miles out-and-back trek featuring scenic waterfalls, picturesque meadows full of vibrant flowers during summer months
- Montgomery Pass Yurt Via Ruby Jewel Route : Roughly six-mile journey leading up to a yurt situated on top providing breathtaking view points over surrounding peaks
- North Diamond Peak Summit Track : Around five mile strenuous uphill climb rewarding climbers with sweeping panoramas across State Forest State Park's wilderness area
- Seven Utes Mountain Trekking Pathway : About eight kilometers both ways showcasing diverse flora/fauna species native only within this region alongside spectacular geological formations
- Zimmerman Lake Interpretive Nature Walkway - Short half-aile walk suitable for all skill levels highlighting local ecology information boards placed strategically around entire circuit
Directions from Denver, Colorado:
- Start on I-25 N towards Fort Collins.
- Take exit 269B to merge onto CO-14 W/E Mulberry St toward Ft. Collins.
From Boulder, Colorado:
- Begin by getting on US36 E/Denver-Boulder Turnpike
- Follow the road until you reach Exit for Interstate 25 Northbound.
Once in Fort Collins (for both routes):
- Continue westward along CO Highway 14/Mulberry Street through town and up into Poudre Canyon.
In Walden:
- Once reaching Walden continue straight at intersection of HWYs 125 & Hwy14; this becomes Main street/4th street/HWY230
Final Stretch:
- After approximately a mile turn right/north onto Jackson County Road #12 heading north out of town. This is your final stretch before arriving at State Forest State Park.
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