Park

Pike National Forest

Colorado, USA Upper Arkansas watershed 38.715°, -104.867°
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Campgrounds
60
Trails
60
Points of interest
56
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Pike National Forest -- Colorado park
Pike National Forest Colorado · Upper Arkansas watershed
About this park

Pike National Forest

Pike National Forest is a popular destination in Colorado, known for its beautiful natural scenery and outdoor recreational activities. Some of the main reasons to visit the forest include hiking, camping, fishing, and wildlife viewing. The forest covers over 1 million acres and is home to a diverse range of ecosystems, including alpine tundra, coniferous forests, and grasslands.

One of the most popular areas within Pike National Forest is the Pikes Peak region, which includes the famous Pikes Peak summit and the Garden of the Gods. Visitors can drive or hike to the top of Pikes Peak and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The Garden of the Gods is a stunning geological wonder, featuring towering sandstone formations that are over 300 million years old.

Other areas of interest within the forest include the South Platte River, which is popular for fly fishing, and the Lost Creek Wilderness, which offers scenic hiking trails and camping opportunities. The forest is also home to a variety of wildlife, including elk, deer, black bears, and mountain lions.

The best time of year to visit Pike National Forest depends on what activities you are interested in. Spring and summer are great for hiking, camping, and fishing, while fall offers stunning foliage colors and hunting opportunities. Winter is popular for skiing and snowshoeing, although some areas of the forest may be closed due to heavy snowfall.

Overall, Pike National Forest is a must-see destination for anyone visiting Colorado. With its diverse landscapes, array of outdoor activities, and stunning natural beauty, it offers something for everyone to enjoy.
StateColorado
WatershedUpper Arkansas
Latitude38.7147°
Longitude-104.8672°
In the park

Streamflow in Pike National Forest

Live USGS discharge at streamgauges inside the park boundary.

GaugeFlow
South Platte River Near Lake George · 1.08 ft gage 113 cfs
S Platte R Ab 11-Mile Canyon Re · 0.99 ft gage 93 cfs
Tarryall Creek At Upper Station · 4.74 ft gage 4 cfs
West Cr. Abv Shrewsbury Gulch Nr Westcreek Co · 5.30 ft gage 1 cfs
Trout Creek Blw Fern Cr Nr Westcreek · 3.78 ft gage 1 cfs
South Platte River Below Cheesman Lake · 1.44 ft gage 203 cfs
So. Platte R. Blw Brush Cr. Nr Trumbull Co · 3.58 ft gage 197 cfs
South Platte River At South Platte · 3.01 ft gage 448 cfs
In the park

Snowpack in Pike National Forest

Current snow depth at SNOTEL stations inside the park boundary.

Snow stationSnowpack
Lake George 8sw 0 in
Buckskin Joe 0 in
Glen Cove 1 in
Hoosier Pass 0 in
Jackwhacker Gulch 0 in
Michigan Creek 0 in
Cripple Creek 5.1 Nw 2 in
South Platte River 0 in
Cheesman 0 in
Nohrsc Jackwhacker Gulch ·
Nohrsc Michigan Creek 0 in
Fairplay 2.7 Wnw 0 in
Lake George 7.2 Wnw 0 in
Nohrsc Guffey 5.5 W 0 in
Florissant 5.0 N 1 in
Nohrsc Divide 5.2 Ssw 0 in
Cripple Creek 12 in
Divide 4nw 0 in
Nohrsc Glen Cove ·
Grant 0 in
Nohrsc Hoosier Pass 0 in
Nohrsc Buckskin Joe 0 in
Strontia Springs Dam 0 in
In the park

Trails in Pike National Forest

Named trails whose route falls inside the park.

4 Point Road
0.5 mi · Hiking, Running
650 Long Hollow
1.3 mi · Hiking, Running
657 Gramps
0.7 mi · Hiking, Running
673 Barr
3.6 mi · Hiking, Running
723 - Tramway
1.6 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
725 - Morrison Creek
2.1 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
788
3.3 mi · Hiking, Running
Aspen Trail
2.5 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
Black Bear Trail
0.6 mi · Biking, Hiking, Running
Black Bear Trail
0.6 mi · Hiking, Running
Bransley Road
3.3 mi · Hiking, Running
Brookside-Mccurdy
2.0 mi · Hiking, Running
Brookside-Mccurdy Trail
29.9 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Buffalo Burn
1.7 mi · Biking, Hiking, Running
Cabin Ridge Road
1.8 mi · Biking, Hiking, Running
Carr Road
1.3 mi · Hiking, Running
Cheeseman Canyon Trail
3.6 mi · Hiking, Running
County Road 202 Old Stage
2.4 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
County Road 220 Hackett
1.8 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Cross-Country Road
1.5 mi · Hiking, Running
Dome View Trial
1.7 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Dutch Fred
1.3 mi · Hiking, Running
Dutch Fred Trail 679
4.5 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
Eagle Rock Road
8.8 mi · Hiking, Running
Exclosure Road
2.5 mi · Hiking, Running
Flat Saloon Road
3.4 mi · Hiking, Running
Forest Road 349
1.4 mi · Hiking, Running
Forest Road 450
2.3 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
Forest Service Road 756
1.0 mi · Hiking, Running
French Gulch Trail
5.3 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
Gold Dust Trail
4.2 mi · Biking, Hiking, Running
Green Mountain Trail
4.1 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
Hankins Pass Trail
6.4 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Hello Kitty
3.6 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
Homestead Trail
3.0 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
Hornbek Wildlife Loop
3.4 mi · Hiking, Running
Iowa Trail
0.8 mi · Hiking, Running
Lake Park Trail
4.5 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Limber Pine Trail
2.2 mi · Hiking, Running
Lincoln Road
0.4 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
Mccurdy Park Trail
7.2 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Meal-Ready To Eat Road
0.6 mi · Hiking, Running
Mike Road
1.2 mi · Hiking, Running
Old?
1.2 mi · Hiking, Running
Peak View Pond Trail
0.7 mi · Hiking, Running
Petrified Forest Loop
1.1 mi · Hiking, Running
Pipeline
3.2 mi · Biking, Hiking, Running
Platte River Trail
3.2 mi · Hiking, Running
Preacher's Hollow Trail
1.5 mi · Biking, Hiking, Running
Raleigh Peak Road
7.5 mi · Hiking, Running
Revenuer's Ridge Trail
1.5 mi · Hiking, Running
Ring The Peak
6.1 mi · Hiking, Running
Sledge Hammer Road
2.5 mi · Hiking, Running
Smokey Quartz Road
1.5 mi · Hiking, Running
Sportsman Road
4.5 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Spring Gulch Road
2.0 mi · Hiking, Running
Tabor Road
2.2 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
The Crags Trail
2.4 mi · Hiking, Running
Trout Creek Road
3.0 mi · Hiking, Running
Vindicator Valley Trail
2.0 mi · Hiking, Running
In the park

Points of interest in Pike National Forest

Landmarks and points of interest inside the park boundary.

A Abyss Trailhead
Abyss Trailhead
Attraction
A Antero
Antero
Attraction
B Birds
Birds
Interpretive Exhibit
B Bottomless Pit Observation Site
Bottomless Pit Observation Site
B Buried Stumps
Buried Stumps
Interpretive Exhibit
C Charlotte Hill
Charlotte Hill
Interpretive Exhibit
C Chicken Scratch Hill
Chicken Scratch Hill
Attraction
C Colorado Wolf And Wildlife Center
Colorado Wolf And Wildlife Center
Attraction
C Consequences Of Collecting
Consequences Of Collecting
Interpretive Exhibit
C Continental Divide
Continental Divide
Attraction
E Early Dinosaurs
Early Dinosaurs
Interpretive Exhibit
E Earth Cools
Earth Cools
Interpretive Exhibit
F Fascination With Fossils
Fascination With Fossils
Interpretive Exhibit
F Ffb-Gateway To The Gold Belt Tour
Ffb-Gateway To The Gold Belt Tour
Interpretive Exhibit
F Fierce Competition
Fierce Competition
Interpretive Exhibit
F Flat Rocks Overlook Observation Site
Flat Rocks Overlook Observation Site
F Flopper
Flopper
Attraction
F Florissant Formation
Florissant Formation
Interpretive Exhibit
F Florissant Fossil Beds Visitor Center
Florissant Fossil Beds Visitor Center
Visitor Center
G Geneva Creek Iron Fens
Geneva Creek Iron Fens
Attraction
H Hackett Rock
Hackett Rock
Attraction
H Hornbek Homestead
Hornbek Homestead
Interpretive Exhibit
J Jawless Fish
Jawless Fish
Interpretive Exhibit
K Kenosha Wildlife Viewing Observation Site
Kenosha Wildlife Viewing Observation Site
L Land Plants
Land Plants
Interpretive Exhibit
L Land Vertebrates
Land Vertebrates
Interpretive Exhibit
L Learning From Tree Rings
Learning From Tree Rings
Interpretive Exhibit
L Life In The Forest
Life In The Forest
Interpretive Exhibit
L Life Zones
Life Zones
Interpretive Exhibit
L Longwater Rock
Longwater Rock
Attraction
M Mammoth
Mammoth
Interpretive Exhibit
M Mini Moab
Mini Moab
Attraction
N No Smoking, Sawmill And Hans Loop, Vc And Parking Lot
No Smoking, Sawmill And Hans Loop, Vc And Parking Lot
Interpretive Exhibit
O Outlaws & Law Men Jail Museum
Outlaws & Law Men Jail Museum
Museum
P Paleontology Today
Paleontology Today
Interpretive Exhibit
P Pike's Peak Summit Visitor Center
Pike's Peak Summit Visitor Center
Museum
P Pikes Peak Historical Society Museum
Pikes Peak Historical Society Museum
Museum
P Pioneers, Prospectors, And Paleontologists
Pioneers, Prospectors, And Paleontologists
Interpretive Exhibit
P Present Touches Past
Present Touches Past
Interpretive Exhibit
P Preserve And Protect
Preserve And Protect
Interpretive Exhibit
R Relatives Near And Far
Relatives Near And Far
Interpretive Exhibit
R Resource Protection Area
Resource Protection Area
Interpretive Exhibit
R Revegetation Area/ Wall Mountain Tuff
Revegetation Area/ Wall Mountain Tuff
Interpretive Exhibit
S Shale Outcrop
Shale Outcrop
Attraction
S Sidney Harrison Plane Crash Site
Sidney Harrison Plane Crash Site
Attraction
S Smokehouse
Smokehouse
Attraction
S South Park Rail Como Project
South Park Rail Como Project
Museum
S Stronia Springs Reservoir
Stronia Springs Reservoir
Attraction
T The Big Four
The Big Four
Interpretive Exhibit
T The Big Stump
The Big Stump
Interpretive Exhibit
T The Colorado Petrified Forest Lodge
The Colorado Petrified Forest Lodge
Interpretive Exhibit
T The Role Of Fire
The Role Of Fire
Interpretive Exhibit
T Top View
Top View
Attraction
V Visitors Arrive
Visitors Arrive
Interpretive Exhibit
W Walk Through Time
Walk Through Time
Interpretive Exhibit
W Wall Mountain Tuff
Wall Mountain Tuff
Interpretive Exhibit
Detailed forecast

Plan your visit down to the hour

Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.

Hourly detail

Next 5 days, hour by hour

Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.

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Deep dive

5-day forecast table

Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.

TimeConditionTemp (°F)Snow (in)Rain (in)Humidity (%)Wind (mps)Wind dir
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Long-term outlook

15-day temperature & precipitation

Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.

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Responsible recreation & Leave No Trace

Know before you go
Check the operator's site for hours, permit requirements, seasonal closures, and fire restrictions before heading out.
Stay on trail
Stick to marked paths to protect vegetation, prevent erosion, and avoid disturbing wildlife habitat.
Respect wildlife
Observe from a distance, never feed wildlife, and store food securely if camping is permitted on-site.
Pack it in, pack it out
Carry out all trash, food scraps, and gear. Many parks have limited or no trash service.
Leave what you find
Don't take rocks, plants, or artifacts. They make the park what it is for the next visitor.

Set push alerts in the Snoflo app

Save Pike National Forest as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, freezing temperatures, fire-restriction days), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.

FAQ

About Pike National Forest

What can I do at Pike National Forest?

Most Snoflo-tracked parks support hiking, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. Check the operator's site for activity-specific rules (camping, fishing, paddling, hunting).

How fresh is the weather data?

The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from NOAA / yr.no. Streamflow comes live from USGS streamgauges.

When is the best time to visit?

Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation.

How do I get to Pike National Forest?

Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the park.

Can I get alerts when conditions change?

Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this park, set a threshold (temperature, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.

Land designation

Park & land designation reference

A quick legend for the federal and state land categories Snoflo tracks. Each designation comes with different rules around access, recreation, and resource extraction.

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing, often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes); may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use -- recreation, grazing, mining, conservation -- with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.