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South Platte Ranger District
Contact Information:
30403 Kings Valley Drive, Suite 2-115
Conifer, CO 80433
Ph: 303-275-5610
Fax: 303-275-5642
Office Hours
Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m
We can also answer questions via email, in the subject line please write "South Platte Ranger District" so it will be directed to us in a timely manner.
Email the Pike National Forest
What's happening on the District:
Other Important Links:
South Platte Target Shooting Information
South Platte Fuelwood Permit Information
South Platte Christmas Tree Permit Information
PSICC Fire Management Information
Remember - Leave No Trace: Pack it in - Pack it out
Trash service is not available, please plan accordingly.
The South Platte Ranger District is part of the Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands. It is located east of the Continental Divide in the central Rocky Mountains and lies adjacent to the Denver metro area in Park, Jefferson, Douglas, Clear Creek, and Teller counties. It is easily accessible from Denver, with a population of over 700,000 people, resulting in more than 2.5 million annual visits. The South Platte Ranger District is 450,000 acres with elevations ranging from 5,800 feet at the South Platte River to more than 14,000 feet at Mount Evans.
The recreational opportunities in the South Platte are extensive. Approximately 70% of public use is dispersed activities such as camping, fishing, hiking, biking, and horseback riding on non-motorized trails, rock climbing, swimming, boating on North and South Forks of the South Platte River and winter sports like snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Some of the unique opportunities found on the South Platte include:
- 100+ miles of off highway vehicle (OHV) trails in the Rampart Range area
- 50+ miles of South Platte river-based recreation
- 50+ miles of mountain bike trails
- Two wilderness areas: Lost Creek and Mount Evans
The riparian area on the South Platte River Corridor, including the river and streamside plants, support a variety of biotic processes. Riparian areas are naturally suited to stabilize streambeds, filter sediment, improve water quality, and provide habitat for some of Colorado's most treasured wildlife. The quality of this resource is very sensitive to human impacts.
Dispersed recreation uses create the greatest impacts such as law enforcement and major resource disturbance. Total use in dispersed activities is approximately one million visitor days. Given the statistics, it is easy to see how resource damage could occur. You can help to minimize your impacts by following a few simple guidelines when you use the recreation areas. Store all food and trash securely, and pack out what you pack in. Please practice Leave No Trace and Stay the Trail ethics.
To protect the natural beauty of the area an provide a quality recreational experience for all visitors, the U.S. Forest Service shares stewardship through partnerships with Denver Water, Douglas and Jefferson County Public Works, the Colorado Division of Wildlife, and the Sheriff's Departments of Douglas and Jefferson Counties.
Three work centers serve the district:
- AG Ranch
- Buffalo Creek
- Indian Creek
The South Platte Ranger District office is located on Highway 285 near Conifer. The district office has brochures, Motor Vehicle Use (MVUM) and other maps, and educational material for organizations and schools. We carry also carry Smokey Bear and Devil's Head Lookout Tower T-shirts.