Ute Pass

Impressive views of the Gore Range.

The Gore Range from Ute Pass

How to get there:

I-70 west to exit 205. North on SH-9 12.5 miles to Ute Pass Rd then east to the pass.

  • From I-70/C470 to exit 205
  • 54 miles 1 hour
  • GPS
  • Ute Pass
  • 39.8053 -106.1299

In General:CampgroundFishing Available

  • Length: 15 miles
  • Driving Time: min. 20 mins

Read more

Steamboat Springs

header steamboat rally 107090142-B

A wealth of opportunities!

Steamboat Springs Ski Resort

How to get there:

I-70 west to the US40/Empire exit, then northwest to Steamboat Springs.

  • From I-70/C470 to Steamboat
  • 146 miles 3 hrs
  • GPS
  • US40/3rd St
  • 40.48294 -106.8292

In General:HikingBike TrailsCampgroundFishing AvailableKayaking/River Rafting

Steamboat Springs has genuine western hospitality, a world class ski resort, and nearly unlimited outdoor recreational and photo opportunities.

Read more

Fish Creek Falls

header fish creek falls 107090258

One of the most photogenic in the state.

Fish Creek Falls, just outside of Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

How to get there:

Turn north on 3rd Street, then east on Fish Creek Falls Rd for approximately 3 miles to the parking area.

  • From US40/3rd St to Parking Area
  • 146 miles 3 hrs
  • GPS
  • Parking Area
  • 40.4824 -106.7730

In General:HikingPicnic Area Day Use Fee: $5

It’s an easy 0.5 mile RT to Fish Creek Falls. To reach the upper falls:

  • Length: 5 miles RT
  • Elev gain: 1200 ft
  • Rating: Moderate/Difficult
  • Hiking Time: min. 2 hour 30 mins

Read more

Flat Tops Scenic Byway

Flat Tops Trail Vaughn Lake

From Yampa to Meeker Scenic BywayNational Forest Byway

How to get there:

From US 40/3rd St in Steamboat, south about 4 miles to SH 131, then south to CR 17 in Yampa.

  • From 3rd St to CR 17
  • 30 miles 40 mins
  • GPS
  • CR 17 in Yampa
  • 40.1577 -106.9086

From I-70/C470 via US 40 — 144 miles 2 hr 50 mins

In General:CampgroundFishing AvailableHikingPicnic AreaSnowmobiles Allowed Seasonal Closure

  • Length: 83 miles
  • Driving Time: min. 2 hrs 30 mins

The eastern half of the byway is a well maintained, gravel road and, in good conditions, is passable by most 2wd passenger vehicles. The western half, into Meeker, is paved. Open to snowmobiles in winter.

Read more

Devils Causeway

header Devils Causeway

Three feet wide and 800 down!

The narrows on the Devil's Causeway.
The Devil’s Causeway!

How to get there:

From CR17/Main St in Yampa, head south on Main (CR7) 7 miles to FR900, then anther 10 miles to the Stillwater Trailhead.

  • From CR17 to TH
  • 17 miles 1 hr 10 mins
  • GPS
  • TH Parking
  • 40.0276 -107.1233

In General:CampgroundFishing AvailableHiking

  • Length: 5.6 miles RT
  • Elev gain: 1600 ft
  • Rating: Moderate/Difficult
  • Hiking Time: min. 3 hrs

The Devil’s Causeway follows a narrow strip of land that connects two major sections of the Flat Tops. Both sides of the trail are 60′-80′ cliffs with steep talus slopes dropping another 600′-800′ into the drainage below. The rough, 3′ wide crest is a spot any hiker or climber will never forget.

The trail parallels the north side of Stillwater Reservoir for 0.8 miles, reaching a registration/information board at the junction with trail #1120. Head right (N) at the junction and pass Little Causeway Lake at mile 1.6; good camping and fishing at the Lake. From here the trail climbs along and through talus slopes to a watershed divide at mile 2.3. A side trail on the left makes a steep ascent to the Devil’s Causeway, mile 2.8.

Read more

Dinosaur National Monument

Dinosaur NM Point of Pines ridge

Fossils and many striking viewpoints.National Monument

Steamboat Rock from the Hapers Corner trail in the Dinosaur Ntl Monument, Colorado.
Steamboat Rock from Harpers Corner Trail courtesy NPS

How to get there:

The Visitor’s Center is located at the intersection of US 40/Harpers Corner Drive.

  • From Steamboat to V.C.
  • 127 miles 2 hr 20 mins
  • From Meeker to V.C.
  • 78 miles 1 hr 30 mins
  • GPS
  • Visitors Center
  • 40.2448 -108.9735

In General:Picnic AreaSeasonal Closure

A scenic, paved 32-mile road leads to the heart of Dinosaur National Monument’s canyon country. Several picnic areas and the trailheads of three hiking trails are located just off Harpers Corner Drive.

Read more

Canyon Pintado Rock Art

header canyon rock art

The Freemont Indians lived here from ~200 BC to ~1200 AD.

How to get there:

The tour begins in the town of Rangely. Pick up a brochure and map in town to help with navigation.

  • From Steamboat Springs
  • 135 miles 2 hrs 35 mins
  • From Meeker
  • 58 miles min. 1 hour
  • GPS
  • SH64/White Ave
  • 40.0875 -108.8039

In General:

  • Length: 69 miles
  • Driving Time: min. 2 hrs 30 mins

There are three sections to the tour; SH 64, SH 139, and Rangely Dragon Road (and other county roads used to connect with SH 139). Rangely Dragon Road and the other county roads are maintained, gravel-surfaced and passable, in dry conditions, by 2wd passenger vehicles. High clearance is recommended.

Read more

Cache la Poudre River

cache le poudre 99070111-B

A National Wild and Scenic RiverNational Wild and Scenic River

Kayakers on the Cache la Poudre Scenic Byway near Ft Collins, Colorado.

How to get there:

The Byway begins at the intersection of SH 14/US 287 NW of Ft Collins and follows SH14 to Walden.

  • From I-25/I-70 to US 287/SH 14
  • 70 miles 1 hr 20 mins
  • GPS
  • US 287/SH 14
  • 40.6637
  • -105.1883

In General:Kayaking/River RaftingHikingCampgroundFishing Available

  • Length: 97 miles
  • Driving Time: min. 2 hours

The entire length of the Cache la Poudre Scenic Byway is paved. It follows along the Cache la Poudre River for about 50 miles and in this stretch you’ll find 11 Forest Service CG’s. It then climbs up to Cameron Pass (10249 ft) and drops into North Park, prime moose viewing country.

Read more

State Forest State Park

header State Forest SP

71,000 acres and something for everyone.

Lake Agnes and the Nokhu Crags in State Forest State Park, Colorado.
Lake Agnes – Nokhu Crags

How to get there:

The northwest entrance to the park is located at the intersection of SH14/CR41, about 3 miles west of the Moose Visitor’s Center.

  • From Denver via I-25—SH14
  • 139 miles 2 hr 30 mins
  • GPS
  • NW Entrance
  • 40.5529 -106.0383

In General:HikingSnowshoeing TrailCross Country SkiingHikingHorseback RidingSnowmobile TrailsATVs Allowed - Check Regulations4wd high clearance vehicle required4wd vehicle with low range requiredCampgroundFishing Available

The park has 219 campsites, a corral at the Bockman CG, 6 cabins, 7 yurts, 9 picnic sites, 80 miles of
motorized roads and trails, 70 miles of groomed snowmobile trails, 50 miles of signed snowshoe and skiing trails, and the largest moose herd in Colorado.

Read more

Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge

header Arapaho Wildlife Refuge

Moose and birds aplenty.National Wildlife Refuge

A wetland area in the Arapaho Ntl Wildife Refuge, Colorado.
Overlooking a wetland area

How to get there:

The refuge entrance is 9 miles south of Walden on SH125.

  • From Denver via I-70-US 40
  • 121 miles 2 hr 30 mins
  • GPS
  • SH 125/CR 32
  • 40.6204 -106.2960

In General:Hiking

The Refuge was established to provide suitable nesting and rearing habitat for migratory birds. Meandering streams, streamside willows, and meadow habitats found at Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge create excellent wildlife habitat.

Read more