State Forest
56750 Highway 14, Walden, CO 80480 (MAP) – NW State Park – fees & reservations
About State Forest Park
The ultimate rugged Colorado State Forest State Park offers visitors 71,000 acres of forest, jagged peaks, alpine lakes, wildlife, and miles of trails. This park is 1 hour 45 minutes west of Fort Collins. The park has one of the largest moose populations; around 600 can be seen year-round. Start at the Moose Visitors Center to get ready for moose viewing. In the summer, visitors can hike and ride horses, bikes, and four-wheel through various terrain. Anglers will find outstanding fishing along the Canadian and Michigan rivers, the North Michigan Reservoir and Ranger Lakes, and the many alpine lakes in the park. Bird and wildlife watching are outstanding here, amid forests, slopes, cliffs, creeks, alpine tundra, and mountain meadows.
Geology enthusiasts will discover sand dunes, glacial-carved cirques, and more. Other recreation opportunities include geocaching and hunting.
Winter offers cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, telemarking, snowboarding, snowmobiling, tubing, sledding, and enjoying the snowy landscape.
Four campgrounds, designated dispersed campsites, backcountry camping, cabins, and yurts are available. — Back to all State Parks.
State Forest Focus Activities
- Camping - visitors center, basic campsites, cabins, yurts, some electric, dump station, winter camping
- Boating - boat ramps, sailing, paddle sports
- Picnic sites
- Hiking & biking
- Rock climbing
- Horseback trails
- Fishing - ice fishing
- Ranger and nature programs
- Wildlife and bird watching
- Cross-country skiing (telemark) & snowshoeing, snow tubing