Colorado Parks & Wildlife - Park Activities

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Park Activities

Park Activities

Biking

Backcountry camping
Follow "Leave No Trace" guidelines!

Camp 1/4 mile from the trailhead and 100 feet from trails, lakes, steams and bodies of water.

Fires are only allowed in designated fire rings, therefore no backcountry fires are allowed!

A park pass is required for vehicles parked anywhere in the park.
(Updated: 11/20/2017 4:14 PM)
Biking
There are miles of great trails throughout the park. Bicycles are prohibited above treeline and on the Lake Agnes trail.
(Updated: 5/7/2017 2:01 PM)
Birding
Birds that frequent our feeders are Stellar's Jays, Gray's Jays, Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatches, Red-winged blackbirds, Pine Siskins, House Finches, Gold Finches, Green-tailed Towhee, White-crowned Sparrows and Rosy Finches in the winter and Pine Grosbeaks. In the summer we also have the Broad-tail, Rufous, Black-chin and Calliope Hummingbirds. Winter time we get visits from Pine Grossbeaks and Rosie Finches.

(Updated: 5/7/2017 2:56 PM)
Boating
Boats are only allowed on the North Michigan Rservoir and only at wakeless speeds

Please call the park at 970-723-8366 with any questions.
(Updated: 6/22/2018 10:39 AM)
Cabins and Yurts
There are 6 cabins available at the North Michigan Reservoir
2 delux cabins at the North Park Campground will be available for reservations at the end of June.
All camping reservations can be made through Aspira by calling 1-800-244-5613.
Never Summer Nordic also has 8 yurts and 2 huts available throughout the park.
For yurt reservations and informations, visit the Never Summer Nordic website
Cabin check-in time is after 2:00 PM of the arrival date so that our maintenance crew can clean the cabins. Check-out time is 12:00 PM.
A valid parks pass is required on each vehicle staying at both the cabins and yurts.
(Updated: 6/21/2018 3:27 PM)
Camping
There are over 200 campsites through out the park including full-hookup, electric, dispersed, and basic campgrounds.
Reservations can be made 6 months in advance online, or by calling 1-800-244-5613. The State Forest offers 6 campgrounds as well as first-come-first-serve dispersed campsites.
(Updated: 3/5/2018 11:49 AM)
Cross-country Skiing
There are miles of marked trails. Many unmarked areas available. The Gould Loop, Grass Creek and The Lady Loops Trails are groomed. Check with the Moose Visitor Center for current conditions in the winter.
(Updated: 5/7/2017 2:04 PM)
Dog-friendly
Pets need a vacation too! Just be sure to keep them on a leash (6ft or shorter) for their protection as well as for the wildlife, and to properly dispose of all waste. Pets are allowed in our cabins for an extra fee of $10.00 per night.
(Updated: 5/7/2017 2:04 PM)
Education Programs
Come out and enjoy State Forest State Park and learn about everything this place has to offer. Starting this spring with Colorado Public Lands Day on May 19th, through labor day weekend we will have a educational hikes and programs every Saturday and Sunday!
Also don't miss out on Moose Festival this year August 18th!And our Full Moon Open House August 25th!
Any questions regarding these events please give the Moose Visitor Center a call at (970) 723-8366
(Updated: 5/8/2018 12:56 PM)
Equipment Rental
GPS rentals are available at the Moose Visitor Center for $10.00 a day.

Snowshoe rentals are available at the Moose Visitor Center for $5.00 a day.
(Updated: 11/20/2017 4:15 PM)
Fishing
State Forest State Park features brook, brown, cutthroat and rainbow trout. In alpine lakes, only artificial fly and lure fishing are permitted. North Michigan Reservoir and Ranger Lakes are both open to bait use. Fly-fishing is accessible and abundant along the Canadian River, and the North and Middle Forks of the Michigan River.
Common catches have been;
Cutbow @ North Michigan
Rainbow @ Ranger Lakes

The statewide trout bag limit is four fish per day with a possession limit of eight. In the alpine lakes, bag and possession limit for trout is two fish and is flies and artificial lures only.
(Updated: 6/22/2018 10:40 AM)
Geocaching
There are 13 geocaches in the State Forest State Park. Five of these serve as all season caches. GPS units are available to rent from the Moose Visitor Center.

Stop by the Visitor Center to learn more, get a pamphlet and GPS.
(Updated: 5/7/2017 2:06 PM)
Hiking
Miles of hiking trails are available on the State Forest State Park in the summer and winter months. Check our conditions page for current information.
(Updated: 5/7/2017 2:07 PM)
Horseback Riding
The Kelly Lake trail and the Clear Lake trail make excellent destinations for horseback riders. Horses are not allowed inside the campgrounds, or on the Lake Agnes trail. We offer horse corrals at the Bockman Campground and at the Closure.

Red Feather Guides offers horseback riding opportunities (970) 723-4204, www.redfeatheroutfitters.com
(Updated: 5/7/2017 2:07 PM)
Hunting
Hunting is allowed in the State Forest State Park. A hunting brochure for the area can be found on the Publications page.
Game Management Units 6 and 171 are within the boundaries of the State Forest State Park.
2017 Big Game Limited Draw License Application Deadline April 3, 2017
2017 Hunting Dates
Archery
Deer/Elk (west of I-25 and Unit 140): Aug. 25- Sept. 23
Plains Deer (east I-25, except unit 140): Oct. 1-26 and Nov. 7-30 and Dec. 15-31
Moose: Sept. 8-23
Pronghorn (bucks only): Aug. 15- Sept. 20
Pronghorn (either sex): Sept. 2-30
Muzzleloader (by draw only)
Deer/elk/moose: Sept. 8-16
Plains deer (east of I-25, except unit 140): Oct. 13-21
Pronghorn: Sept. 21-29
Rifle Deer/Elk/Moose
Moose: Oct. 1-14
1st Season (separate limited elk): Oct. 13-17
2nd Season (combined deer/elk): Oct. 20-28
3rd Season: Nov. 3-11
4th Season (combined limited deer/elk): Nov. 14-18
Plains deer (east of I-25, except unit 140): Oct. 27-Nov. 6
Late plains deer (east of I-25, except unit 140): Dec 1-14
Rifle Pronghorn
By draw only: Oct. 6-12
Black Bear
Rifle Limited (by draw): Sept. 2-30
Archery (over the counter with caps): Sept. 2-30
Muzzleloader (over the counter with caps): Sept. 8-16
Rifle (over the count with caps): concurrent with deer/elk rifle seasons Oct. 13- Nov. 18

Contact the following outfitters for more information about guided hunts:
Medicine Bow Outfitters, 970-631-2812, 970-443-0517
North Park Outfitters, 970-402-4345, www.northparkoutfitters.com
Red Feather Guides & Outfitters, 970-723-4204, www.redfeatherguides.com
(Updated: 3/5/2018 11:51 AM)
Ice Fishing
Ice fishing in State Forest is excellent during the winter months. Please take additional care when going out on the ice and make sure to double check the ice levels before venturing out. We do not check ice levels on a regular basis here at the park.

(Updated: 6/20/2018 9:24 AM)
OHV Riding
OHV Registrations or Permits are required on all OHV's being ridden in the park.

There are over 80 miles of trails available and open to OHV's. We highly suggest taking it easy if you are a novice on a machine. Motorized vehicles must remain on designated roads and OHVs are not allowed in the campgrounds except to enter and exit each campsite.
(Updated: 7/2/2017 9:48 AM)
Picnicking
There are a few picnic tables located across from the Lake Agnes turnoff on Hwy 14, some at Ranger Lakes day-use area, and some are located at the Nature Trail on County Road 41. Picnic tables are also located at the Visitor Center. During the winter months accessibility will depend on current weather conditions.
(Updated: 5/7/2017 2:32 PM)
Sledding
There are countless areas in the park that are perfect for sledding from late October to early May
(Updated: 6/21/2018 2:38 PM)
Snowmobiling
The State Forest offers approximately 70 miles of groomed trails. Snow conditions permitting, we open trails for Snowmobiles Mid-November.
Along with groomed trails, riders can enjoy trees, hillclimbs, meadows, and above treeline areas throughout the park.

Please be sure to have your snowmobile registered with a valid permit before going out.

Parking trailers in the park require a day pass.
(Updated: 11/20/2017 4:18 PM)
Snowshoeing
Many areas available for snowshoeing through snow covered forests. The Gould Loop, Grass Creek and The Loops Trails are groomed. Make sure you ask the front desk about Snow Shoe Rentals if you forgot yours at home. Only $5.00 a day!
(Updated: 11/20/2017 3:39 PM)
Snowtubing
There are many hills on the park that are great for tubing!
(Updated: 11/9/2016 2:54 PM)
Wildlife Viewing
Wildlife abounds in the State Forest. Moose, Elk, Deer, Bear, Marmot, Pine Marten, Badger, Rabbit, Weasel, Eagle, Hawk, Owl, and an abundant songbird population as well as those wonderful little Broad-tail, Rufous, Black- chinned, and Calliope Hummingbirds.
(Updated: 11/9/2016 2:54 PM)
Winter Activities
Every winter we have our Moonlight Open House which we encourage all to come and check out. We light up the Gould Loop just outside the Moose Visitor Center so that visitors can snowshoe or cross country ski the trail at night. The Chocolate Cabin 3/4 mile down the loop is stocked with cookies and hot chocolate. We also ask participants to bring a food dish for the 'potluck' dinner that coincides with the events.
Any questions regarding dates and other information call the Visitor Center at (970) 723 8366.
(Updated: 2/8/2018 12:48 PM)
Winter Camping
We have 5 sites available near North Michigan Reservoir spillway (sites 201-205) that are plowed in the winter months. We have 6 cabins available all year, reservations are recommended. During this time of the year expect plenty of snow and rather cold evenings so please come prepared. As always call the Moose Visitor Center (970) 723 8366 with any questions.
(Updated: 11/9/2016 2:55 PM)