Colorado Parks & Wildlife logo Colorado Parks & Wildlife logo
Donate to CPW

State Forest State Park

State Park in Walden, CO

Hours:

Park: Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Office: Daily, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Entrance Fees:

Daily Vehicle Pass: $​10
Individual Daily Pass: $4

Animals Permitted:

  • Leashed Dogs
  • Service Animals
  • Horses

Park Address:

56750 Highway 14
Walden, CO 80480
United States

Contact:

970-723-8366

[email protected]

Aspen and pine trees in front of mountains with heavy clouds hanging in the sky.

State Forest State Park

State Park in Walden, CO

Aspen and pine trees in front of mountains with heavy clouds hanging in the sky.

Hours:

Park: Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Office: Daily, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Entrance Fees:

Daily Vehicle Pass: $​10
Individual Daily Pass: $4

Animals Permitted:

  • Leashed Dogs
  • Service Animals
  • Horses

Park Address:

56750 Highway 14
Walden, CO 80480
United States

Contact:

970-723-8366

[email protected]

Navigate to:

    Go

    Moose Visitor Center Closing for Holidays

    The Visitor Center will be closed Thanksgiving day,  Christmas eve and Christmas day.
    Three people on horses

    Three people on horses

    Activities and Trails

    What to Do at State Forest

    State Forest State Park offers visitors a high-mountain experience, with acres of forest, jagged peaks, alpine lakes, wildlife and miles of trails. Visitors enjoy the outdoors with activities like camping, hiking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, fishing, hunting, birding and geocaching. 

    • Backcountry Camping
    • Biking
    • Birding
    • Boating
    • Cabins
    • Camping
    • Cross-country Skiing
    • Education Programs
    • Fishing
    • Geocaching
    • Hiking
    • Horseback Riding
    • Hunting
    • Ice Fishing
    • OHV Riding
    • Picnicking
    • Sledding
    • Snowmobile Riding
    • Snowshoeing
    • Wildlife Viewing

    Best of State Forest

    A canoe on a lake

    North Michigan Reservoir and Lakes

    The main attraction at State Forest is water. The park offers the North Michigan Reservoir, where visitors can enjoy water activities. Many lakes can be found at State Forest, but Lake Agnes stands out as a favorite. This gem sits around 10,600 feet in elevation, and you can reach its shores with just a short hike of less than a mile during the summer season.

    Water Activities and Amenities
    A family stops the OHVs to view the mountains.

    Off-highway Vehicle and Snowmobile Riding

    Over 80 miles of trails are open to off-highway vehicles. Motorized vehicles must remain on designated roads, and OHVs are not allowed in the campgrounds except to enter and exit each campsite. There are over 60 miles of snowmobile trails, including groomed trails, hillclimbs and meadows.

    A cow moose grazes with her two calves close by.

    Watch Moose

    Moose is our claim to fame. State Forest State Park is well known for moose viewing throughout the year. North Park is considered the moose-viewing capital of Colorado, with over 600 moose observed year-round.

    A family eats a meal outside a cabin.

    Cabins

    Set along the shore of North Michigan Reservoir, camper cabins complete a summer or winter vacation. The cabins range from smaller cabins that sleep a maximum of six to the Old Camp Pennock​ Lodge and Columbine Lodge, which sleep up to 21 and 15, respectively.

    Cabins and Amenities

    Upcoming Events

    Nov

    29

    Fresh Air Friday Hike – Native American Heritage

    Friday, Nov 29

    State Forest State Park

    Walk off that Thanksgiving feast with a Ranger on a guided Hike – snowshoes may be needed! We will talk about the Native Americans that inhabited our area. Leaving from the Moose Visitor Center at noon (12pm), hike the Gould Loop approximate 3⁄4 mile each way.
    View Details

    Nov

    29

    Registration Required:

    Event participants must register

    Fresh Air Friday Hike – Native American Heritage

    Friday, Nov 29

    State Forest State Park

    Walk off that Thanksgiving feast with a Ranger on a guided Hike – snowshoes may be needed! We will talk about the Native Americans that inhabited our area. Leaving from the Moose Visitor Center at noon (12pm), hike the Gould Loop approximate 3⁄4 mile each way.
    View & Register

    Dec

    7

    Come Cut Your Christmas Tree

    Saturday, Dec 7 - Sunday, Dec 8

    State Forest State Park

    Choose and cut your perfect fresh Christmas tree in State Forest State Park ! Pick up your $10 per tree permit (CASH or check only) at the Moose Visitor Center and you will be directed to the designated tree cutting area in the park.
    View Details

    Dec

    7

    Registration Required:

    Event participants must register

    Come Cut Your Christmas Tree

    Saturday, Dec 7 - Sunday, Dec 8

    State Forest State Park

    Choose and cut your perfect fresh Christmas tree in State Forest State Park ! Pick up your $10 per tree permit (CASH or check only) at the Moose Visitor Center and you will be directed to the designated tree cutting area in the park.
    View & Register

    Dec

    8

    Come Cut Your Christmas Tree

    Sunday, Dec 8

    State Forest State Park

    Choose and cut your perfect fresh Christmas tree in State Forest State Park ! Pick up your $10 per tree permit (CASH or check only) at the Moose Visitor Center and you will be directed to the designated tree cutting area in the park.
    View Details

    Dec

    8

    Registration Required:

    Event participants must register

    Come Cut Your Christmas Tree

    Sunday, Dec 8

    State Forest State Park

    Choose and cut your perfect fresh Christmas tree in State Forest State Park ! Pick up your $10 per tree permit (CASH or check only) at the Moose Visitor Center and you will be directed to the designated tree cutting area in the park.
    View & Register

    Nov

    29

    Fresh Air Friday Hike – Native American Heritage

    Friday, Nov 29

    State Forest State Park

    Walk off that Thanksgiving feast with a Ranger on a guided Hike – snowshoes may be needed! We will talk about the Native Americans that inhabited our area. Leaving from the Moose Visitor Center at noon (12pm), hike the Gould Loop approximate 3⁄4 mile each way.
    View Details

    Nov

    29

    Registration Required:

    Event participants must register

    Fresh Air Friday Hike – Native American Heritage

    Friday, Nov 29

    State Forest State Park

    Walk off that Thanksgiving feast with a Ranger on a guided Hike – snowshoes may be needed! We will talk about the Native Americans that inhabited our area. Leaving from the Moose Visitor Center at noon (12pm), hike the Gould Loop approximate 3⁄4 mile each way.
    View & Register

    Dec

    7

    Come Cut Your Christmas Tree

    Saturday, Dec 7 - Sunday, Dec 8

    State Forest State Park

    Choose and cut your perfect fresh Christmas tree in State Forest State Park ! Pick up your $10 per tree permit (CASH or check only) at the Moose Visitor Center and you will be directed to the designated tree cutting area in the park.
    View Details

    Dec

    7

    Registration Required:

    Event participants must register

    Come Cut Your Christmas Tree

    Saturday, Dec 7 - Sunday, Dec 8

    State Forest State Park

    Choose and cut your perfect fresh Christmas tree in State Forest State Park ! Pick up your $10 per tree permit (CASH or check only) at the Moose Visitor Center and you will be directed to the designated tree cutting area in the park.
    View & Register

    Dec

    8

    Come Cut Your Christmas Tree

    Sunday, Dec 8

    State Forest State Park

    Choose and cut your perfect fresh Christmas tree in State Forest State Park ! Pick up your $10 per tree permit (CASH or check only) at the Moose Visitor Center and you will be directed to the designated tree cutting area in the park.
    View Details

    Dec

    8

    Registration Required:

    Event participants must register

    Come Cut Your Christmas Tree

    Sunday, Dec 8

    State Forest State Park

    Choose and cut your perfect fresh Christmas tree in State Forest State Park ! Pick up your $10 per tree permit (CASH or check only) at the Moose Visitor Center and you will be directed to the designated tree cutting area in the park.
    View & Register
    View All Events

    Hiking, Biking and Horseback Riding

    Trails

    Pristine mountain beauty greets visitors and provides an ideal setting for hiking and mountain biking opportunities. There are over 90 miles of hiking trails and 130 miles of mountain-biking trails. Horse corrals are located at the Bockman Campground and at the end of CR-41 at the Canadian River Trailhead.

      Find a Trail
      Hiking boot icon

      Lake Agnes Trail

      0.8 miles one way
      Hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing

      Hiking boot icon

      Gould Loop Trail

      6.5 miles roundtrip
      Hiking, horseback riding, biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing

      Hiking boot icon

      Ranger Lakes Nature Trail

      1.5 miles roundtrip
      Hiking only

      Hiking boot icon

      American Lakes Trail

      5.5 miles one way
      Hiking, horseback riding, biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobile riding

      Hiking boot icon

      Kelly and Clear Lake Trails

      6.5 miles one way for Kelly, 7 miles one way for Clear Lake
      Hiking, horseback riding, biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobile riding

      Hiking boot icon

      Ruby Jewel Route

      4 miles one way
      Hiking, horseback riding, biking, motorcycling, ATV, Jeep, skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling

      Hiking boot icon

      Bull Mountain

      7 miles one way
      Hiking, horseback riding, biking, motorcycling, ATV, Jeep, snowmobile riding

      Hiking boot icon

      Diamond Peaks

      7 miles one way
      Hiking, horseback riding, biking, motorcycling, ATV, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing

      Hiking boot icon

      Bockman Road

      6 miles one way
      Hiking, horseback riding, biking, motorcycling, ATV, Jeep, cross-country skiing, snow​shoeing, snowmobile riding

      Hiking boot icon

      Montgomery Pass Route

      4 miles one way
      Hiking, horseback riding, biking, motorcycling, ATV, Jeep, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobile riding

      Hiking boot icon

      Mendenhall Route

      8 miles one way
      Hiking, horseback riding, biking, motorcycling, ATV, Jeep, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobile riding

      Hiking boot icon

      Lake Agnes Trail

      0.8 miles one way
      Hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing

      Hiking boot icon

      Gould Loop Trail

      6.5 miles roundtrip
      Hiking, horseback riding, biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing

      Hiking boot icon

      Ranger Lakes Nature Trail

      1.5 miles roundtrip
      Hiking only

      Hiking boot icon

      American Lakes Trail

      5.5 miles one way
      Hiking, horseback riding, biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobile riding

      Hiking boot icon

      Kelly and Clear Lake Trails

      6.5 miles one way for Kelly, 7 miles one way for Clear Lake
      Hiking, horseback riding, biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobile riding

      Hiking boot icon

      Ruby Jewel Route

      4 miles one way
      Hiking, horseback riding, biking, motorcycling, ATV, Jeep, skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling

      Hiking boot icon

      Bull Mountain

      7 miles one way
      Hiking, horseback riding, biking, motorcycling, ATV, Jeep, snowmobile riding

      Hiking boot icon

      Diamond Peaks

      7 miles one way
      Hiking, horseback riding, biking, motorcycling, ATV, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing

      Hiking boot icon

      Bockman Road

      6 miles one way
      Hiking, horseback riding, biking, motorcycling, ATV, Jeep, cross-country skiing, snow​shoeing, snowmobile riding

      Hiking boot icon

      Montgomery Pass Route

      4 miles one way
      Hiking, horseback riding, biking, motorcycling, ATV, Jeep, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobile riding

      Hiking boot icon

      Mendenhall Route

      8 miles one way
      Hiking, horseback riding, biking, motorcycling, ATV, Jeep, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobile riding

      Trail Map

      Horseback Riding

      Horse corrals are located at the Bockman Campground and at the end of CR-41 at the Canadian River trailhead. Call the park at 970-723-8366 to reserve.

      Red Feather Outfitters ​offers horseback riding opportunities, and Medicine Bow ​Outfitters offers backcountry horseback trips.

      Horse icon

      Bockman Horse Corral

      The Bockman Horse Corral has four sections, allowing three horses in each section. The corral trail is accessible and located between site 309 and 311 on the east side of Bockman Campground.

      Horse icon

      Kelly/Clear Lake Trailhead Corral

      The corral at the Kelly/Clear Lake trailhead has 18 stalls. Camping is available next to the corral by reservation only. Hitching rails are available.

      Hunting

      Hunting is allowed in game management units 6 and 171 within the park. 

        Rules
        • Weapons, including bows and firearms, can only be discharged while actively hunting
        • No target shooting
        • Shooting must be 100 yards or more out from any campground, structure, nature trail or road
        • Moose hunting is not allowed within 0.25 miles of CO Highway 14 in Jackson County from Cameron Pass to USFS 740
        Outfitters

        Contact these licensed hunting outfitters for guided hunts within the park:

        State Forest Visitor Center.

        Rentals

        Equipment Rentals

        Park visitors can rent activity equipment at the Moose Visitor Center.

        The Visitor Center has:

        • GPS rentals for $10 a day
        • Snowshoe rentals for $5 a day
        • Free family activity backpacks