Topic

Outdoors and wildfire

Hunting and fishing rules, trails, rivers, camping, winter sports, dark skies, and wildfire risk and defensible space — the public-land side of Colorado life.

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Local notes

More outdoors and wildfire notes

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Outdoors and wildfire

Fishing rules change from one Chaffee County water to the next

Beyond the main Arkansas River, Chaffee County's creeks, high lakes, and the South Arkansas can each carry their own fishing rules, so check the specific water before you cast.

Outdoors and wildfire

Fossil Creek Reservoir is a quiet birding landscape, not a boating lake

Fossil Creek Reservoir Natural Area is conserved bird habitat, not a boating lake, so the trails lead to viewing areas instead of the water.

Outdoors and wildfire

Give moose room in Chaffee County's willows and high country

Moose live in the willow flats and high basins around Chaffee County, and they deserve more distance than they look like they need, especially around dogs.

Outdoors and wildfire

Gore Canyon and Pumphouse: pick the river stretch that fits you

Just southwest of Kremmling, the Colorado River runs two very different stretches—steep Class IV-V whitewater in Gore Canyon and mellow floats below at BLM's Pumphouse—so the trick is matching the water to your skill.

Outdoors and wildfire

Grand Lake's winter case for "Snowmobiling Capital of Colorado"

When the snow piles up, Grand Lake trades cars for sleds and opens a trail network that runs from town across national forest to the edge of the national park.

Outdoors and wildfire

Hartman Rocks is BLM land with free dispersed campsites and a spring closure

Hartman Rocks Recreation Area south of Gunnison is BLM land with trails and free first-come dispersed campsites, but part of it closes each spring for sage-grouse.

Outdoors and wildfire

Hermit Park is the quiet open-space edge of Estes Park

Hermit Park Open Space is county-owned forest and wet meadow southeast of Estes Park with camping, cabins, and trails, and its own permits and rules.

Outdoors and wildfire

Hunting the Comanche Grassland means knowing two sets of rules

Hunting on Comanche National Grassland means following CPW game rules and Forest Service land rules while keeping clear of private property.

Outdoors and wildfire

Jumping Cow is a state wildlife area, not a county park

Jumping Cow State Wildlife Area in Elbert County is a limited-access property managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, with access rules very different from a public park.

Outdoors and wildfire

Little Dry Creek Trail is a short creek link with a longer reach

Little Dry Creek Trail links the Clear Creek Trail at 64th Avenue toward Lowell/69th, then hands off west to Westminster management.

Outdoors and wildfire

Monarch Mountain: Salida's home hill that never makes snow

Salida's downhill ski area sits right on the Continental Divide at Monarch Pass and runs entirely on natural snow.

Outdoors and wildfire

Montrose put a whitewater park right downtown

The free Montrose Water Sports Park drops six engineered waves into a 1,000-foot stretch of the Uncompahgre River, close to the middle of town.

Outdoors and wildfire

Moose and other big animals along Gilpin County's Peak to Peak corridor

Moose have expanded into the high country around Gilpin County's Peak to Peak corridor, and they deserve far more distance and caution than people expect.

Outdoors and wildfire

Nakagawa SWA adds another rural access point in Weld County

Nakagawa State Wildlife Area is a small CPW-managed Weld County site for hunting, fishing, and camping by its own rules.

Outdoors and wildfire

North Park is fishing and hunting country, and the rules change by water and unit

The streams and reservoirs of Jackson County draw anglers and hunters, but fishing and hunting rules vary by water and by game management unit, so check the current ones.

Outdoors and wildfire

Paonia Is a Certified Dark Sky Community

Paonia earned official DarkSky International recognition, and on clear nights the Milky Way is visible from streets in town.

Outdoors and wildfire

Powderhorn: the Grand Mesa's Own Ski Resort

Powderhorn Mountain Resort sits on the flank of the Grand Mesa about 45 minutes from Grand Junction, with tree-lined runs, dry powder, and summer downhill biking.

Outdoors and wildfire

Rampart Range camping means designated sites, not 'camp anywhere'

The Rampart Range Recreation Area in Pike National Forest allows camping only in designated sites and closes its roads to vehicles in winter and mud season.

Outdoors and wildfire

Riverside Park details should start with Fort Morgan parks

Fort Morgan's Parks Department is the official starting point for Riverside Park maps, reservations, and current facility questions.

Outdoors and wildfire

Surf a wave in the middle of town

Buena Vista and Salida both built standing waves right in the Arkansas River, free to watch or paddle all summer long.

Outdoors and wildfire

The Arkansas River below Pueblo Dam runs cold and fast

The tailwater stretch of the Arkansas River just below Pueblo Dam is popular for fishing and tubing, but releases can make it very cold and high, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife sometimes restricts use.

Outdoors and wildfire

The Cherry Creek Regional Trail follows the creek past 17 Mile House Farm Park

The Cherry Creek Regional Trail runs along Cherry Creek through Arapahoe County, with trailheads including the historic 17 Mile House Farm Park, linking the metro to the open country to the south.

Outdoors and wildfire

The Crestone Group: a wall of serious 14ers above town

A tight cluster of fourteeners rises straight off the valley floor above Crestone, free to admire from town and a real objective for prepared climbers.

Outdoors and wildfire

The Eagle River SWA fishing leases are public access, not a park

Eagle River SWA fishing leases offer public access at posted points, with a fishing-only rule and an entry license or SWA pass for most adults.

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