Roosevelt National Forest Guide
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Located a short distance west of Fort Collins, Colorado, Roosevelt National Forest is on the north and east sides of Rocky Mountain National Park. This 815,000-acre area, originally part of the Medicine Bow Forest Reserve, was renamed Roosevelt National Forest in 1932 as a tribute to President Theodore Roosevelt. There are 183 named mountains in this forest, including North Arapahoe Peak and South Bald Mountain. The Peak-to-Peak Highway, which is the northernmost highway to cross the Continental Divide, runs through this park before continuing to Fort Collins.
RV Rentals Near Roosevelt National Forest
Roosevelt National Forest Hiking Trails
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Emmaline Lake Trail
The Emmaline Lake Trail starts by skirting the edge of Colorado State University Mountain Campus before heading to the Cirque Meadow. While many choose to turn around at this point, the trail continues to Emmaline and Cirque lakes. Adjoining trails allow you to reach Rocky Mountain National Park by following this trail.
Length: 13 miles
Intensity: Moderate
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West Branch Trail
The West Branch Trail starts near the Tunnel Campground, and it soon crosses a bridge into the Rawah Wilderness. Keep following the trail running along the Laramie River through the wilderness, and you will arrive at an open meadow. It ends after a steep climb at Island and Carey lakes.
Length: 12.9 miles
Intensity: Moderate
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Long Draw Road
This trail starts off Long Draw Road, where it meanders through a boulder field. Then, it follows the willow-lined Trap Creek until it almost enters the Neota Wilderness. Enjoy stunning views of Flat Top Mountain and Trap Park Lake from this trail. This is an out-and-back trail that provides a nice workout for those who complete it.
Length: 9.5 miles
Intensity: Moderate
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South Boulder Park Trail
The South Boulder Park Trail starts at the Moffat Tunnel off Colorado Highway 119 near Rollinsville. This is a great trail to hike in the summer when the wildflowers are in bloom. Take the route to the right and cross the Willow Lake log bridge. Then, climb the steep hill to reach Lower and Upper Forest lakes.
Length: 17.2 miles
Intensity: Moderate
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Continental Divide National Scenic Trail
The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail starts at the Crazy Cook Monument near Hachita, New Mexico. It crosses through Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana before ending at the Canadian border. This trail runs mainly along the Continental Divide, and you should expect high-mountain hiking conditions on some sections.
Length: 3,028 miles
Intensity: Difficult
Activities in Roosevelt National Forest
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Identifying Flora and Fauna
A great way to see some of the flora and fauna in the Roosevelt National Forest is to drive along the 101-mile Cache la Poudre Highway. This road starts near Fort Collins and runs to the Continental Divide. Along its course, it runs through the Cache la Poudre River canyon, where you will see a beautiful riparian habitat. Once you get to the evergreen thickets near the Continental Divide, watch for deer, antelope, elk, moose, beavers, and coyotes.
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Fishing
You will need to hike to access the many great fishing spots in Roosevelt National Forest. The area of this forest lying in Larimer County is a particularly popular place to fish. Sheep Creek often yields great trout, but be careful to catch and release all greenback cutthroat ones as they are federally protected. Columbine Creek is another outstanding option, especially for catching trout while fly-fishing. Nokomis Lake can also be a fantastic place to go fishing for brown and rainbow trout.
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Geocaching
There are no geocaches at Roosevelt National Forest, but you may want to consider creating one. However, be sure to check with the forest headquarters about local regulations before placing any caches in the area.
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Nature and Bird Watching
Roosevelt National Forest is a great place to go wildlife viewing. The forest is home to mule deer, elk, black bears, fox, mountain lions, bobcats, moose, squirrels, and rabbits. During the winter, head to Larimer County to see bald eagles. Open conifer forests near Bellvue are often a great place to see bighorn sheep.
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Stargazing
While many choose to go stargazing in the open meadows at Roosevelt National Forest, most decide to head nearby to Pawnee National Grasslands. Consider climbing the flat-top buttes at sunset and waiting until dark to see the stars from this location.
How to get to Roosevelt National Forest
Address: Colorado 14 West, Bellvue, CO 80512
Fee: Entry fee $0
Roosevelt National Forest is a great place to explore. You can go hiking, fishing, stargazing, and nature watching at this location. The elevation changes drastically within this national forest, so be sure to prepare for quick weather changes. A fantastic way to explore this area is in an RV, so bring yours on your trip. If you do not have an RV, then rent one from RVshare, and hit the open road.
Frequently Asked Questions About Roosevelt National Forest
Is there a fee to get into Roosevelt National Forest?
No, there is no fee to get into Roosevelt National Forest. However, there may be fees or permits required for certain activities like camping in developed campgrounds or using certain day-use areas.
Does Roosevelt National Forest offer free camping sites?
Yes, Roosevelt National Forest offers free camping sites. Dispersed camping is allowed in many areas of the forest and does not cost. There are also developed campgrounds where visitors can camp for a fee.
Is Roosevelt National Forest open all year round?
Yes, Roosevelt National Forest is open year-round. Some services, like certain developed campgrounds, are only open during the summer months but there are winter activities like snowshoeing and cross-country skiing that you can do in the winter in the forest.
How many hiking trails does Roosevelt National Forest have?
There are hundreds of miles of trails in Roosevelt National Forest. You'll find trails for every ability, from easy walks to serious treks up mountains.
Can you kayak, canoe, or raft in Roosevelt National Forest?
Yes, you can kayak and canoe in Roosevelt National Forest. There are also rafting trips in the forest that will take you down the Cache la Poudre River.
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