How To Use This Guide
Your Western Slope Trails Guide is designed to let you know where trails areand what types of activities are
suitable or allowed. For more information about a specific trail, call the local trails administrator listed.
EASY TRAILS: Flat, smooth, and most are suitable for use by persons with disabilities.
MODERATE TRAILS: Changes in elevation, natural soil surface, suitable for the average person with some
trail experience.
DIFFICULT TRAILS: May involve strenuous climbs and high elevations.
THE STATE TRAILS PROGRAM
Since its establishment in 1971, the State Trails Program of Colorado State Parks has been active in
encouraging trail development. The State Trails Master Plan is an inventory of Colorado’s trail
system and now guides the Colorado Greenway Project which funds local trail construction using Colorado
Lottery proceeds and other funding. Since 1983, the program has provided more than $11.5 million for more
than 303 trail projects. The Trails Program also aids local communities and citizens’ groups with technical
assistance, trail planning, and coordination with other agencies.
STATE PARKS INFORMATION
Colorado State Parks
1313 Sherman St., Room 618
Denver, CO 80203 (303) 866-3437
www.coloradoparks.org
TRAILS ON FEDERAL PUBLIC LANDS
In addition to building trails in Colorado’s communities, the Colorado Lottery provides funding for a wide
variety of trails work on our federal public lands. These “backcountry” trails include foot, horse, and bicycling
routes. Lottery funding most often goes to support the efforts of volunteers to sustain this network of trails.
Other improvement projects include bridges, trailheads, and interpretive facilities. Visitor maps for each of the
national forests can be purchased at Forest Service offices, bookstores, sporting goods stores, and by mail from
Visitor Map Sales (303) 275-5350. To visit some of the National Forests and Bureau of Land Management
areas where the Lottery is helping improve trail opportunities, contact the following offices for trail information:
Grand Mesa/Uncompahgre/Gunnison National Forests,
2250 Hwy 50, Delta, CO 81416
(970) 874-6600
San Juan National Forest,
701 Camino Del Rio, Rm. 301, Durango, CO 81301
(970) 247-4874
White River National Forest, Forest Supervisor’s Office, 9th & Grand,
P.O. Box 948, Glenwood Springs, CO 81602
(970) 945-2521
Pike/San Isabel National Forests,
1920 Valley Drive, Pueblo, CO 81008
(719) 545-8737
Bureau of Land Management
Glenwood Springs Field Office,
50629 Hwys. 6 & 24, P.O. Box 1009, Glenwood Springs, CO 81602,
(970)-947-2800, Fax (970)-947-2829
Gunnison Field Office,
216 N. Colorado, Gunnison, CO 81230,
(970)-641-0471, Fax (970)-641-1928
Kremmling Field Office,
116 Park Avenue, P.O. Box 68, Kremmling, CO 80459,
(970)-724-3437, Fax (970)-724-9590
Little Snake Field Office,
455 Emerson St., Craig, CO 81625,
(970)-826-5000, Fax (970)-826-5002
Snowmass/Aspen Trails
1 Snowmass Trail System
Moderate– Hike, Bike, Ski
Network of paved and unpaved trails around
Snowmass Ski Area and Snowmass Village.
Government Trail West (difficult–unpaved)
connects Snowmass with the Buttermilk Ski Area.
2 Rio Grande Trail
Easy–Hike, Bike, Horse, Ski
Level trail along scenic Roaring Fork River with 1.5
miles of paved bikeway on former railroad grade.
Trailheads at Puppy Smith St. in Rio Grande Park,
and at Cemetery Lane in Henry Stein Park. Rest
areas along trail; fishing and wildlife habitat along river.
3 Aspen Mountain/Richmond
Hill Trail
Moderate/Difficult–Hike, Bike, Horse (seasonal)
Starts up Aspen Mt. on jeep roads to top of ski area.
Then continues back on Richmond Hill down on Little
Annie or Midnight Mine Rd. to Castle Creek Road.
4 High School Trail
Easy/Difficult–Hike, Bike, Horse, Ski
Trailheads at high school and Iselin Park off Maroon
Creek Rd. Paved bikeway 1 mile to high school.
Unpaved trail crosses Maroon Creek to Buttermilk
Ski Area and Snowmass. Cross-country ski trail
system at high school.
5 ABC Trail
Easy–Hike, Bike
Paved trail from west edge of town to Airport Business
Center along road to north side of Hwy 82. Not
maintained in winter.
6 Sunnyside Trail
Difficult–Hike, Horse
Parking at trailhead 0.3 miles northeast up McLean
Flats Rd. Steep but scenic trail up Red Mountain,
joins Hunter Creek Trail at Lenado Gulch.
7 Hunter Creek Trail
Moderate/Difficult–Hike, Horse
Parking on Lone Pine Rd. Trail starts just east of
community center, and climbs steeply for 0.5 miles
along fishing stream, then flattens out through alpine
meadows. Access to National Forest and Tenth
Mountain ski trail system.
8 Ute Rock Trail
Difficult–Hike
Starts near end of Ute Ave. by Ute Children’s Park. Steep
(19 switchbacks) short climb to a great view of Aspen.
9 East of Aspen Trail
Easy–Hike, Bike
3.5 miles. Soft surface trail begins near the Aspen side of
the Northstar Nature Preserve and traverses the preserve
along Highway 82 and continues along Highway 82 to
the National Forest boundary. Popular jogging trail with
excellent views of the foot of Independence Pass.
10 Stein Trail
Difficult–Hike
This is a very steep trail, which acts as a spur from the
Aspen Airport Business Center to the Roaring Fork River.
Popular fishing access.
For more information:
Aspen Parks and Recreation Dept.,
130 S. Galena St., Aspen, CO 81611
(970)920-5120
Free Aspen area cross-country ski trails map and
information on several ski touring areas: Aspen/
Snowmass Nordic Council,
P.O. Box 10815, Aspen, CO 81612
(970) 925-2145
Pitkin County Open Space and Trails,
530 E. Main, Suite 301, Aspen, CO 81611
(970) 920-5232
Information on nonprofit hut-to-hut backcountry ski
touring system:
Tenth Mountain Trail Association,
1280 Ute Ave., Aspen, CO 81611
(970) 925-4554
Steamboat Springs Trails
11 Howelsen Hill Hiking Trail
Difficult–Hike
Steep trail to top of 90-meter nordic ski jump.
Spectacular views.
12 Yampa River
Easy–Walk, Bike, Horse, Ski
Paved and soft surface trail along Yampa River,
passing parks, library, Howelsen Hill, and connecting
the downtown and ski area.
13 Butcher Knife Creek
Easy–Walk, Mtn. Bike, Horse
Trail along creek and through canyon connecting
schools and parks. Trail access at Maple and
McKinley Sts.
14 Spring Creek
Easy–Walk, Mtn. Bike
Trail along Spring Creek. Trail access: park in the
Steamboat Health and Rec. Pool parking lot and walk
behind it through the bank drive-through and turn
right. Trail head is on the left just past the creek.
15 Par Course
Moderate/Difficult–Walk,
Mtn. Bike, Horse, Ski
Trail along creek into foothills leading to city’s
Mountain Park, wilderness, and national forest. Trail
access across from end of par course at end of Maple St.
16 Fish Creek Falls Overlook
Easy–Walk
Trail access from parking lot at end of Fish Creek Falls Rd.
17 Mount Werner Trail
Easy–Walk, Bike
Trail along side of road from U.S. Hwy 40 to Steamboat
Ski Area.
18 Emerald Mountain
Difficult–Mtn. Bike
Trail access from end of River St. in Howelsen Hill Park.
19 Foothills
Easy–Walk
Overlooks golf course.
For more information:
City of Steamboat Springs Parks and Recreation,
P.O. Box 775088, Steamboat Springs, CO 80477
(970) 879-2060. Steamboat Ski Area Trails,
(970) 879-6111 ext. 233
Pagosa Springs Trails
20 Pagosa Springs Trail System
Moderate–Hike, Bike, Horse, Ski
Network of paved and unpaved trails through city steets
and parks. Reservoir Hill Mountain Park has trails for
horses and cross country skiing.
For more information:
Town of Pagosa Springs, 486 San Juan St.,
P.O. Box 1859, Pagosa Springs, CO
(970) 264-4151
Vail Trails
21 Vail Bike Trails
Easy/Moderate–Walk, Bike, Ski
Combination of on and off-street paths from West Vail to
East Vail. Parks, streams, recreation facilities, bike rentals,
refreshments, and restrooms available in village area. The
Vail pathway ties into an extensive mountain biking and
hiking trail network on Vail Mountain. These trails can
be accessed directly from town or by the Gondola or
Vista Bahn lifts.
For more information:
Vail Associates, P.O. Box 7, Vail, CO 81658
(970) 476-5601
Vail’s bike paths and route maps available from
Vail Recreation Dept.,
292W. Meadow Dr., Vail, CO 81657
(970) 479-2100
Summit County Trails
22 Blue River Bikeway
Easy/Moderate–Hike, Bike, Ski
Trailhead parking on W. Main St. in Frisco just east of
I-70. Access on Mt. Royal Drive, along Hwy 9, and in
downtown Breckenridge. Trail parallels Blue River, a gold
medal fishing stream. Park facilities, refreshments, and
shopping in Frisco and Breckenridge.
23 Vail Pass/Tenmile Canyon Trail
Easy/Difficult–Hike, Bike
Trailheads and facilities at Frisco (I-70 Exit 202), Copper
Mountain, and Vail. Indoor rest area at Vail Pass. Scenic
trail climbs 1506 feet from Copper Mountain to Vail Pass
and 2453 feet from Vail to Vail Pass. Trail through alpine
scenery along streams, wetlands, meadows, and forests.
Camping at Dillon Reservoir, Vail Pass, and Gore Creek.
24 Dillon-Keystone Trail
Easy–Hike, Bike, Ski
Access on Soda Ridge Rd. south of Hwy 6 (Swan
Mountain exit), at Tender Foot Lane and Hwy 6, and in
Keystone area. Trail through meadows, forests, and
wetlands along Snake River, adjacent to botanic preserve
at Keystone Science School. Access to National Forest
trails. Many facilities in Keystone and Dillon.
25 Dillon-Frisco Trail
Easy/Moderate–Hike, Bike, Ski
Trailheads and facilities at the Dillon Lakefront
and Giberson Bay. Trail through forested area
paralleling the Dillon Reservoir shoreline, crosses
on lake side of Dillon Dam and connects with the
Town of Dillon’s Lakefront Park and Marina.
Camping, picnic areas, and fishing accessible from trail.
For more information:
Summit County Planning Dept.,
P.O. Box 68, Breckenridge, CO 80424 (970)
453-2561 ext. 115 Summit County Bike Path and
Mountain Bike trail maps available. Silverthorne
Recreation and Culture Dept., Town of Silverthorne,
P.O. Box 1309, Silverthorne, CO 80498
(970) 468-0711
Frisco Trails
26 Frisco Lakefront Trail
Easy–Walk, Bike, Ski
Trail along Dillon Reservoir Lakefront from Dam Rd.
(I-70 Exit 201) to East Main Street Marina area.
For more information:
Town of Frisco,
P.O. Box 4100, Frisco, CO 80443
(970) 668-5276 or (303)893-1855 from Denver. Trail
map available. Visitor Information Center:
I-70 Exit 201 to corner of Main St. and Summit Blvd.
in Frisco. U.S. Forest Service Trails
27 Tenderfoot Mountain
Moderate–Walk, Mtn. Bike
Trailhead at town of Dillon water tank on Co. Rd. 51
North of Hwy 6. Walk southeast along the dirt road
above the water tank .25 miles to the trail. Panoramic
views of Dillon Reservoir and surrounding mountains.
28 Tenderfoot Road
Easy–Hike, Mtn. Bike
Same trailhead as above. Loop possible using
Tenderfoot Rd. and the Dillon-Keystone bike path.
Connects from Dillon to Keystone Resort.
29 Windy Point Trail
Easy–Hike, Mtn. Bike
Trailhead at Prospector Campground off Swan Mt.
Rd. Access to Dillon Reservoir for fishing.
30 Colorado Trail–Gold Hill to
Copper Mountain.
Difficult–Hike, Horse, Ski, Mtn. Bike
Trailhead parking on Hwy 91 at Wheeler Flats just east of
Copper Mountain. Follow pipeline right-of-way 0.5 miles to
bridge for trail access. Trail access also at Gold Hill trailhead
off Colorado Hwy 9 south of Frisco. This scenic trail crosses
the Ten Mile Range.
31 Peaks Trail
Moderate–Hike, Mtn. Bike, Ski
The trail connects the towns of Breckenridge and Frisco.
The trailhead in Breckenridge is on Ski Hill Rd. (Co. Rd. 3)
0.25 miles past the Peak 8 ski area parking lot. The West
Frisco trailhead is at the intersection of W. Main and I-70.
32 Meadow Creek Trail
Easy/Moderate–Hike, Horse, Ski
Trailhead at end of service road at Exit 203 in Frisco.
Accesses the Eagle Nest Wilderness.
Note: The Peaks Trail and Meadow Creek Trail are the two
most heavily used trails in the area. Recreationists seeking
solitude and uncrowded routes will be better served on
other trails.
33 Copper mountain Resort Trails
Moderate/Difficult–Mtn. Bike
Network of single-track mountain bike trails, accessible by
the American Eagle quad chairlift. Trails offer spectacular
views as they wind down the face of Copper Mountain.
Mountain bike rentals, golf course, and interpretive
programs also available. (800) 458-8386.
34 Keystone Resort Trails
Moderate/Difficult–Mtn. Bike
On-mountain network of single-track trails accessed by
chairlifts. Trails provide incredible views of the Gore and
Williams Fork Ranges, while providing varying degrees of
difficulty. Mountain bike rental, paddle boating, interpretive
activities, golf, and on-mountain dining available at
North Peak. (970) 468-2316.
For more information:
U.S. Forest Service, Dillon Ranger District, 680 Blue River
Pkwy., P.O. Box 620, Silverthorne, CO 80498
(970) 468-5400.
Summer Trailhead Guide and Winter Trailhead Guide with
trail and scenic road descriptions available free from Visitor
Centers in Dillon and Frisco, at Summit County sporting
goods and bicycle shops, and government offices. The
guides are sponsored by U.S. Forest Service, the Summit
Historical Society and local merchants.
Silverthorne Trails
The Colorado Trail
Easy–Hike, Bike
Trail along scenic Blue River, a gold medal trout
fishing stream.
This trail runs 480 miles from Denver to Durango, traversing
seven National Forests and crossing the Continental Divide
nearly a dozen times. Sponsored by the Colorado Trail
Foundation and the U.S. Forest Service, most work has
been done by volunteers. The route of the Colorado
Trail follows older trails and jeep roads in the places with
new construction to link it together into a continuous trail.
35 Blue River Trail
Fraser Trails
36 Winter Park/Fraser
Area Trails
Easy–Walk, Bike, Ski
The Fraser River Valley offers over 600 miles of
marked and mapped trails. Winter Park Ski Area
features 45 miles of ski lift accessible trails.
For more information:
Town of Winter Park,
P.O. Box 3327, Winter Park, CO 80482
(970) 726-8081.
Winter Park/Fraser Valley Chamber of Commerce
(800) 245-4109
Winter Park Trails
37 Winter Park
Easy/Difficult–Mtn. Bike
Mountain bike trail system map available.
For more information:
Winter Park Resort Chamber (970) 726-4118
(from Denver (303) 422-0666) or Winter Park
FATS, P.O. Box 1337, Winter Park, CO 80482
Leadville Trails
38 Mineral Belt Trail
Easy/Moderate–Walk, Bike, Hike,Skate, Ski
Scenic 12.5-mile paved loop begins on Hwy 24 at
the entrance road to Colorado Mtn. College and
ends at the Lake County dump road which will take
you back to the highway. The section of trail from
Evans Gulch to California Gulch will take you
through the historic mining district with spectacular
views of the Sawatch Mountain Range at over
14,000 feet.
For more information:
Lake County Recreation Dept.,
901 S. Hwy 24, Leadville, CO 80461
(719)486-4226
39
For more information:
For current trail construction projects and volunteer
efforts, books, and maps: Colorado Trail Foundation.
710 10th St., Ste. 210, Golden CO 80401
(303) 384-3729 Ext. 113.
www.coloradotrail.org