San Isabel National Forest, United States

San Isabel National Forest Travel Guide

Trek Zone

National park

Facts and practical information

San Isabel National Forest is a breathtaking natural wonder located in the picturesque region of Pueblo, Colorado. This national forest offers a diverse range of outdoor activities and stunning landscapes that are sure to captivate the hearts of nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike.

One of the highlights of San Isabel National Forest is its extensive network of hiking trails. With over 19 trails to choose from, visitors can embark on thrilling adventures that lead to mesmerizing viewpoints, meandering rivers, and serene alpine lakes. The iconic Colorado Trail, which spans over 500 miles, passes through the forest, providing hikers with unparalleled opportunities to explore the region's beauty.

For those seeking a more adrenaline-pumping experience, San Isabel National Forest offers fantastic opportunities for mountain biking. The forest features miles of scenic mountain biking trails that cater to riders of all skill levels. From leisurely rides along gentle slopes to challenging downhill descents, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Nature lovers will also be delighted by the abundant wildlife that calls San Isabel National Forest home. The forest is home to a diverse range of species, including elk, deer, black bears, and various bird species. Birdwatchers will find themselves in paradise as they spot rare and majestic birds soaring through the skies or perched on tree branches.

In addition to its natural wonders, San Isabel National Forest also offers opportunities for camping and picnicking. The forest has several well-maintained campgrounds that provide a tranquil and immersive camping experience, allowing visitors to reconnect with nature. Picnic areas are scattered throughout the forest, providing the perfect setting for a relaxing outdoor meal surrounded by towering trees and fresh mountain air.

Alternative names: Elevation: 9760 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 38°2'38"N, 105°7'8"W

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ColoradoUnited States

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San Isabel National Forest Top Attractions

San Isabel National Forest Attractions - What to See and Explore

San Isabel National Forest offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Mount Elbert, Bishop Castle, Mount Antero, West Spanish Peak. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Natural attraction • Mountain • Park
Mount Elbert
Mount Elbert is the highest summit of the Rocky Mountains, the highest point in the U.S. state of Colorado, and the second-highest summit in the contiguous United States.
Architecture • View point • Forts and castles
Bishop Castle
Bishop Castle is an "elaborate and intricate" "one-man project" named after its constructor, Jim Bishop, that has become a roadside attraction in central Colorado.
Nature • Natural attraction • Mountain
Mount Antero
Mount Antero is the highest summit of the southern Sawatch Range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. The prominent 14,276-foot fourteener is located in San Isabel National Forest, 12.2 miles southwest by south of the Town of Buena Vista in Chaffee County, Colorado, United States.

Nature • Natural attraction • Mountain
West Spanish Peak
West Spanish Peak is a high and prominent mountain summit that is the higher of the two Spanish Peaks in the Rocky Mountains of North America.
Nature • Natural attraction • Lake
Lake Isabel
Lake Isabel is a reservoir located in the San Isabel National Forest in Pueblo and Custer counties, in Colorado, United States. The lake is in the Wet Mountains. The lake is open to fishing year round and is regularly stocked by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Available activities include fishing, hiking, camping and sledding in the winter.
Natural attraction • Park • Waterfall
Agnes Vaille Falls
Agnes Vaille Falls is a waterfall on the southern slopes of Mount Princeton just above Chalk Creek in San Isabel National Forest, Chaffee County, Colorado, United States. The falls has been a popular half mile hike from county road 162 near Chalk Lake.
Nature • Natural attraction • Lake
Chalk Lake
Chalk Lake is a small lake in Chaffee County, Colorado, United States adjacent to Chalk Creek in San Isabel National Forest. The lake and surrounding area is a day-use area along road 162 across Chalk Creek from the Chalk Creek Campground, and a fee is charged for use of the lake.
Nature • Natural attraction • Mountain
Mount Princeton
Mount Princeton is a high and prominent mountain summit of the Collegiate Peaks in the Sawatch Range of the Rocky Mountains of North America.
Nature • Natural attraction • Mountain
Mount Shavano
Mount Shavano is a high mountain summit in the southern Sawatch Range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. The 14,231-foot fourteener is located in San Isabel National Forest, 6.5 miles north by west of the community of Maysville in Chaffee County, Colorado, United States.
Nature • Natural attraction • Natural feature
Rocky Mountains
The Rocky Mountains, also known as the Rockies, are a major mountain range and the largest mountain system in North America. The Rocky Mountains stretch 3,000 mi in straight-line distance from the northernmost part of western Canada, to New Mexico in the southwestern United States.
Nature • Natural attraction • Mountain
Mount Ouray
Mount Ouray is a high and prominent mountain summit in the far southern Sawatch Range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. The 13,961-foot thirteener is located in San Isabel National Forest, 7.5 miles west of Poncha Pass, Colorado, United States, on the boundary between Chaffee and Saguache counties.
Nature • Mountain • Neighbourhood
Southern Rocky Mountains
The Southern Rocky Mountains are a major subregion of the Rocky Mountains of North America located in the southeastern portion of the U.S. state of Wyoming, the central and western portions of Colorado, the northern portion of New Mexico, and extreme eastern portions of Utah.
Nature • Natural attraction • Mountain
Spanish Peaks
East Spanish Peak is a prominent mountain summit that is the lower of the two Spanish Peaks in the Rocky Mountains of North America.
Nature • Natural attraction • Mountain
Greenhorn Mountain
Greenhorn Mountain is the highest summit of the Wet Mountains range in the Rocky Mountains of North America. The prominent 12,352-foot peak is located in the Greenhorn Mountain Wilderness of San Isabel National Forest, 5.2 miles southwest by west of the Town of Rye, Colorado...
Nature • Natural attraction • Mountain
Mount Hope
Mount Hope is a high mountain summit of the Collegiate Peaks in the Sawatch Range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. The 13,939-foot thirteener is located in San Isabel National Forest, 20.1 miles northwest of the Town of Buena Vista in Chaffee County, Colorado, United States.
Nature • Natural attraction • Mountain
Wet Mountains
The Wet Mountains are a small mountain range in southern Colorado, named for the amount of snow they receive in the winter. They are a sub-range of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, in the southern Rocky Mountains System.
Natural attraction • Protected area
Spanish Peaks Wilderness
The Spanish Peaks Wilderness is a 19,226 acres wilderness area in Huerfano County and Las Animas County, Colorado, United States, located 20 miles southwest of Walsenburg.
Nature • Natural attraction • Mountain
Tabeguache Peak
Tabeguache Peak is one of the fourteeners of the US state of Colorado. It is a near neighbor of the higher peak Mount Shavano, which lies approximately 1/2 mile to the southeast, and is close to being a subpeak of the latter.
Nature • Natural attraction • Mountain
Methodist Mountain
Methodist Mountain is a mountain summit in the northern Sangre de Cristo Range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. The 11,713-foot peak is located 5.5 miles south by west of the City of Salida, Colorado, United States, on the drainage divide separating San Isabel National...

Day trips

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

In the vicinity of San Isabel National Forest, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Sangre de Cristo Arts Center (Pueblo), Royal Gorge Bridge (Cañon City), Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum (Pueblo).

32 milesNE
Museum, Theater, Specialty museum
Sangre de Cristo Arts Center, Pueblo
Nestled in the heart of Pueblo, Colorado, the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center is a cultural beacon for the Southern Colorado community and a must-visit destination for art enthusiasts and families alike. This multifaceted institution, established in 1972, offers a diverse...
31 milesN
Theme park built around towering bridge
Royal Gorge Bridge, Cañon City
Suspended high above the Arkansas River, the Royal Gorge Bridge beckons adventurers and sightseers to Cañon City, Colorado. As a marvel of engineering, this tourist attraction in Fremont County is not just a bridge but also a destination that offers an exhilarating...
38 milesNE
Museum, Specialty museum, Military museum
Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum, Pueblo
The Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum is a non-profit aviation museum located in Southern Colorado. It was founded in the mid-1970s by former Pueblo City Manager Fred Weisbrod. The museum is made up of two hangars that were built in 2005 and 2011.
32 milesNE
Museum, Historical place, History museum
Rosemount Museum, Pueblo
The Rosemount Museum, pronounced "Rosemont" is a historic house museum in Pueblo, Colorado, it is situated on a square block at the corner of one of the highest points in north Pueblo and across the street from Parkview Medical Center.
49 milesN
Museum, History museum
Cripple Creek District Museum, Cripple Creek
The Cripple Creek District Museum is a museum located in Cripple Creek, Colorado. Founded in 1953 by Blevins Davis and Richard Wayne Johnson, the Museum has five historic buildings: The 1894 Colorado Trading & Transfer Company building, the 1895 Midland Terminal Depot that...