Roosevelt National Forest, United States

Roosevelt National Forest Travel Guide

Trek Zone

National park

Facts and practical information

Nestled in the picturesque Larimer County of Colorado, Roosevelt National Forest is a protected site that offers an enchanting escape into nature's embrace. Spanning over 800,000 acres, this vast expanse of wilderness is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. With its diverse landscapes, from towering mountains to serene lakes, Roosevelt National Forest promises a captivating adventure for visitors of all ages.

One of the highlights of this magnificent forest is its extensive network of hiking trails. Whether you are an avid hiker seeking a challenging ascent or a casual stroller looking to immerse yourself in the tranquility of nature, Roosevelt National Forest has a trail for you. From the popular Gem Lake Trail, which rewards hikers with stunning panoramic views, to the serene Lily Lake Trail, where you can spot an array of wildlife, every step in this forest is a journey of discovery.

For those seeking an adrenaline rush, Roosevelt National Forest offers thrilling opportunities for rock climbing and bouldering. With its rugged cliffs and challenging routes, this forest attracts climbers from near and far. Test your skills on the famous Jurassic Park climbing area, where you can conquer vertical walls and enjoy breathtaking vistas.

If you prefer to explore the forest on two wheels, Roosevelt National Forest boasts an extensive network of mountain biking trails. From exhilarating downhill rides to scenic loops, cyclists of all levels can find their perfect route. Traverse through dense forests, cross babbling streams, and experience the thrill of biking in the heart of nature.

As night falls, Roosevelt National Forest unveils a mesmerizing display of stars. With its minimal light pollution, this protected site offers unparalleled stargazing opportunities. Lay back on a blanket and marvel at the vastness of the cosmos, as shooting stars streak across the sky, leaving a trail of wonder in their wake.

In addition to its natural wonders, Roosevelt National Forest is also home to a rich history. Explore remnants of old mining towns, delve into the stories of pioneers who ventured into the wilderness, and discover the cultural heritage that shaped this region.

Alternative names: Area: 1271.56 mi²Elevation: 9196 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 40°32'29"N, 105°32'46"W

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ColoradoUnited States

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Roosevelt National Forest Top Attractions

Roosevelt National Forest Attractions - What to See and Explore

Roosevelt National Forest offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Chapel on the Rock, Poudre Canyon, Horsetooth Mountain, Comanche Reservoir. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Sacred and religious sites • Church
Chapel on the Rock
The Chapel on the Rock is a functioning Catholic chapel and tourist landmark in Allenspark, Colorado, USA. The chapel is located on the grounds of the Saint Malo Retreat, Conference, and Spiritual Center of the Catholic Archdiocese of Denver. The chapel is open to the public.
Nature • Natural attraction • Canyon
Poudre Canyon
The Poudre Canyon is a narrow verdant canyon, approximately 40 mi long, on the upper Cache la Poudre River in Larimer County, Colorado in the United States.
Nature • Natural attraction • View point
Horsetooth Mountain
Horsetooth Mountain is a mountain summit in the foothills of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. The 7,259-foot peak is located in the Horsetooth Mountain Open Space, 7.0 miles west of downtown Fort Collins in Larimer County, Colorado, United States.

Nature • Natural attraction • Lake
Comanche Reservoir
Comanche Reservoir is a large reservoir in the Comanche Peak Wilderness in the Roosevelt National Forest within Colorado, United States. It lies on several hiking trails and is close to the Pingree Park wilderness campus of Colorado State University.
Temple • Buddhist architecture
The Great Stupa of Dharmakaya
The Great Stupa of Dharmakaya Which Liberates Upon Seeing is located at the Shambhala Mountain Center in Colorado, USA. It was built to inter the ashes of Chogyam Trungpa, who died in 1987. In many Buddhist traditions it is common to build a stupa to honour a respected teacher after their death.
Nature • Natural attraction • Mountain
North Arapaho Peak
North Arapaho Peak is the highest summit of the Indian Peaks in the northern Front Range of the Rocky Mountains of North America.
40°25'13"N • 105°16'52"W
Viestenz-Smith Mountain Park
Park
Nature • Natural attraction • Canyon
Fourmile Canyon
Fourmile Canyon or Four Mile Canyon is a mountainous canyon in western Boulder County, Colorado that channels a stream known as Fourmile Creek or Four Mile Creek..
Bridge
Big Thompson River bridges
Four historic bridges on the Big Thompson River in Larimer County, Colorado survived its flood of 1976, but since have lost most of their historic integrity. They were built in 1933 and 1937.
Nature • Natural attraction • Mountain
South Bald Mountain
South Bald Mountain is the highest summit of the Laramie Mountains in the Rocky Mountains of North America. The summit in Roosevelt National Forest southwest of Red Feather Lakes is the highest of five peaks forming Bald Mountain.
40°44'0"N • 105°32'24"W
Shambhala Mountain Center
The Shambhala Mountain Center was founded by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche in 1971 at Red Feather Lakes, Colorado. Shambhala Mountain Center is located on 600 acres in a valley in the northern Colorado Rockies.
Nature • Natural attraction • Natural feature
Arapaho Glacier
Arapaho Glacier is an alpine glacier in a cirque immediately southeast of North Arapaho Peak, in Roosevelt National Forest in the U.S. state of Colorado. The glacier is just east of the Continental Divide.
Nature • Natural attraction • Mountain pass
Rollins Pass
Rollins Pass, elevation 11,676 ft, is a mountain pass and active archaeological site in the Southern Rocky Mountains of north-central Colorado in the United States.
Nature • Natural attraction • Lake
Seaman Reservoir
Seaman Reservoir is located 15 miles northwest of Fort Collins, Colorado up the Poudre Canyon. It is also called the Gateway Natural Area. Depending on the water level, cliffs around the reservoir can range from 6–70 feet. The Seaman Reservoir Trail is 1.0 mile long in one direction and has almost zero elevation gain.
Museum • History museum
Wall Street Assay Office
The Wall Street Assay Office is a historic commercial building related to precious metal mining in the western outskirts of Boulder, Colorado in an area known as Wall Street.
Nature • Natural attraction • Mountain
Nokhu Crags
Nokhu Crags is a rock formation and mountain summit in the Never Summer Mountains range of the Rocky Mountains of North America.
Botanical garden
Shambhala Botanic Gardens
The Shambhala Botanic Gardens are young botanical gardens, formally opened in 2003, and located on the 600-acre campus of the Shambhala Mountain Center, 4921 County Rd 68-C, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado, United States. An admission fee is charged.
Nature • Canyon
Left Hand Creek
Left Hand Creek is a tributary of Saint Vrain Creek, approximately 33.9 miles long, in Boulder County, Colorado in the United States.
Park
Caribou Ranch Open Space Park
Caribou Ranch Open Space Park is a park located near Nederland, Colorado. It has over 3.14 miles of trail for recreational visitors. It is open to hikers, horse back riders, and trail runners. Mountain bikes and dogs are not allowed in the park area. This park is connected to...

Day trips

Roosevelt National Forest – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Roosevelt National Forest, it's worth seeing attractions such as: The Gardens on Spring Creek (Fort Collins), Bear Lake (Rocky Mountain National Park), Longs Peak (Rocky Mountain National Park).

24 milesE
Museum, Garden, Park
The Gardens on Spring Creek, Fort Collins
Nestled in the vibrant city of Fort Collins, Colorado, The Gardens on Spring Creek is a serene escape into the world of flora. This botanical haven offers visitors a chance to immerse themselves in a variety of garden settings, each meticulously designed to showcase...
17 milesS
Natural attraction, Lake, Body of water
Bear Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park
Bear Lake is a scenic trailhead and destination in Rocky Mountain National Park. Sitting at an elevation of 9,450 feet, the alpine lake rests beneath the sheer flanks of Hallett Peak and the Continental Divide at 40.31324°N 105.648222°W.
20 milesS
Snow-capped national park mountain peak
Longs Peak, Rocky Mountain National Park
Longs Peak is a high and prominent mountain in the northern Front Range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. The 14,259-foot fourteener is located in the Rocky Mountain National Park Wilderness, 9.6 miles southwest by south of the Town of Estes Park, Colorado, United States.
40 milesS
Arenas and stadiums, Sport venue, Sport
Folsom Field, Boulder
Folsom Field is an outdoor college football stadium in the Western United States, located on the campus of the University of Colorado in Boulder. It is the home field of the Colorado Buffaloes of the Pac-12 Conference.
30 milesE
Convention center, Civic center, Sport venue
Budweiser Events Center, Loveland
The Budweiser Events Center is a multi-purpose arena in Loveland, Colorado, 55 mi northeast of Denver. The arena is located on The Ranch Events Complex and is owned by Larimer County, Colorado and managed by Spectra Venue Management, and tickets are handled by ComcastTIX.