San Carlos Ranger District
The San Carlos Ranger District manages the southern half of the San Isabel National Forest. The district is 50 miles wide and 110 miles long with about 400,000 acres of National Forest in Fremont, Custer, Huerfano, Pueblo and Las Animas counties. Mountain ranges include the Wet Mountains, the Sangre de Cristos and the Spanish Peaks.
It is home to the one of the first Forest Service campgrounds designed by Arthur Carhart, the first landscape architect of the Forest Service. Prior to Carhart being hired in 1919, the agency focused primarily on timber uses of the forest. Carhart envisioned what we now know as sustainable recreation. His recreation plan for the San Isabel National Forest was the first for the agency. He went on to work with conservationist Aldo Leopold in creating the wilderness concept. The picnic shelters and fire hearths at Davenport Campground were reconstructed in 2006 using Carhart's original designs.
There are 11 campgrounds with 210 fee campsites plus two group sites that are reservation only. These campgrounds are operated by a concessionaire (contractor hired by the U.S. Forest Service), as well as a picnic area at Lake Isabel Recreational Area and four small sites in the Cuchara Creek Recreational Area.
General Information
This recreation region is managed by the San Carlos Ranger District.
Passes & Permits
Visit recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777 for campground reservations. Campground reservations cannot be made ranger district offices.
Special use permits are required for groups of 75 or more persons and all commercial activities including outfitting and guiding. Visit the Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands Recreation Special Use Permits page to learn more.
America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes are a suite of annual and lifetime passes that provides U.S. citizens and visitors an affordable and convenient way to access Federal recreational lands. Up to 100% of the Pass program's proceeds are used to improve and enhance visitor recreation services.
Complexes
The Cuchara Area offers beautiful mountain landscapes and unique geologic history near La Veta, Colorado. You'll pass quickly from dry oak brush and ponderosa pine country (or pinion-juniper in some places) through aspen, fir and spruce and on to alpine tundra.
Greenhorn Mountain rises from 7,600 to 12,347 feet in the center of the northern section of the Greenhorn Mountain Wilderness. Its summit offers a spectacular view, a vivid and dramatic change from plains to mountains.
The Spanish Peaks are prime examples of "stocks" which are defined as large masses of igneous (molten) rock which intruded layers of sedimentary rock and were later exposed by erosion. When mapped by geologists, the Peaks were found to be masses of granite, granodiorite and syenodiorite. Among the most unusual features of the Spanish Peaks are the great dikes which radiate out from the mountains like spokes of a wheel.
Trails in the area include:
- Apishapa Trail #1324
- Baker Trail #1301
- Coal Creek Trail #1394
- Dikes Trail #1389
- Dodgeton Trail #1302
- Dome Rock Trail #1387
- Indian Trail #1300
- Levy-Krier Trail #1392
- North Fork Trail #1309
- Schafer Trail #1391
- Shortcut Trail #1300 A
- Wahatoya Trail #1304
- West Peak Trail #1390
- Wildcat Trail #1312
- Vista Point Trail #1392a
Bear Lake Campground is a developed campground with lake and stream fishing opportunities.
Lake and stream fishing. Day Use Fee required during summer months. Bear Lake Campground is 1/4 mile away from lake.
Blue Lake Campground is a developed campground with first-come-first-served sites.
Blue Lake parking and day use fee area, one mile from Blue Lake Campground.
Interpretive displays and parking. A stone monument is in place with a bronze plaque dedicated to John B. Farley.
A developed campground with the following activities available: stream fishing, hiking, bicycling and horseback riding.
The Spring Creek Trailhead offers picnicking, hiking and fishing opportunities. Three picnic sites, a restroom and a trash receptacle are available. This area is
The Highway of Legends travels through an area rich in cultural history, crossing Cucha
The Davenport/Ophir Area is nestled in the Wet Mountains with flowing creeks and spectacular mountain vistas approximately 1 hour from Colorado Springs and 45 minutes from Pueblo, Colorado. Recreational opportunities abound with access to hiking, fishing, camping, OHV riding and so much more!
Trails in this area include:
- Left Hand Fork Trail #1325
- Rudolph Mountain Trail #1327
- San Carlos Trail #1320
- Second Mace Trail #1322
- South Creek Trail #1321
- Squirrel Creek Trail #1384
- St. Charles Trail #1326
Davenport Campground has been rebuilt to evoke the historic character of the first Forest Service campground, the remnants of which are located a few miles downstream.
The Mingus Ranch Cabin is an early 20th century ranch located in the Wet Mountains approximately 1 hour from Colorado Springs and 45 minutes from Pueblo.
Ophir Creek Campground several nearby activities including hiking, bicycling and fishing in Ophir Creek. A short drive will take you to Bishop's Castle.
The Gibson Creek Area is located on the west side of the Wet Mountain Valley near Westcliffe, Colorado with steep and rugged trails that take visitors into the heart of the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness.
Sangre de Cristo Wilderness was designated by Congress in 1993, and it now has a total of 220,803 acres. All of this wilderness is located in Colorado and is managed by the Forest Service and the National Park Service. The Sangre de Cristo Wilderness is bordered by the Great Sand Dunes Wilderness to the west.
Please help keep wilderness wild by following Leave No Trace practices.
Trails in this area include:
- Lake of the Clouds Trail #1349
- Texas Creek Trail #1350
- North Taylor Trail #1348
- Swift Creek Trail #1351
The Greenhorn/Barlett Area offers tranquil hiking opportunities into the Greenhorn Mountain Wilderness. The Greenhorn Mountain Wilderness was designated by Congress in 1993, and it now has a total of 23,087 acres. Soaring dramatically from the plains of Colorado, Greenhorn Mountain rises from 7,600 to 12,347 feet in the center of the northern section. Its summit is the highest point in the wilderness, and nowhere else in the state provides such a vivid and dramatic change from plains to mountains.
Please help keep wilderness wild by following Leave No Trace practices.
Trails in this area include:
- Bartlett Trail #1310
- Greenhorn Trail #1316
- Horse Ranch Trail #1397
- Millset Trail #1317
- Pole Creek Trail #1398
- South Apache Trail #1311
- Santana Trail #1313
- Turkey Creek Trail #1315
The Greenhorn Mountain Wilderness was designated by Congress in 1993, and it now has a total of 23,087 acres.
The Horn Creek Area is located on the west side of the Wet Mountain Valley near Westcliffe, Colorado with steep and rugged trails that take visitors into the heart of the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness.
Sangre de Cristo Wilderness was designated by Congress in 1993, and it now has a total of 220,803 acres. All of this wilderness is located in Colorado and is managed by the Forest Service and the National Park Service. The Sangre de Cristo Wilderness is bordered by the Great Sand Dunes Wilderness to the west.
Trails in this area include:
- Horn Creek Trail #1342
- Horn Peak Trail #1362
- Dry Creek Trail #1343
- Macey Trail #1341
Sangre de Cristo Wilderness was designated by Congress in 1993, and it now has a total of 220,803 acres.
The Lake Creek Area is located on the west side of the Wet Mountain Valley near Westcliffe, Colorado. There are camping, fishing and OHV riding opportunities in the area as well as access to hiking trails that venture into the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness.
The Lake Creek Area is a popular access point for the Rainbow Trail #1336 which is over 100 miles in length and travels south from the Salida area into the Wet Mountain valley and skirts the eastern edge of the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness area where wilderness regulations apply and motorized vehicles and bikes are not permitted.
Trails in this area include:
- Crossover Trail #1352
- North Brush Trail #1356
- Silver Lake Trail #1354
- South Brush Trail #1355
The Lake Isabel Recreation Area is located about an hour south of Cañon City or Pueblo, Colorado on the Frontier Pathways National Scenic Byway. The area offers a wide range of recreation opportunities including non-motorized boating, accessible fishing, camping, picnicking, hiking and a historic cabin rental. Plus, winter activities like ice fishing and Nordic skiing.
Across the highway from the lake, is the Lake Isabel Cabin, which is open to the public year-round by reservation only. Also, nearby are several trails including the Snowslide Trail, San Carlos Trail, St. Charles Trail, Cisneros Trail, and Wachob Trail. Camping opportunities include the La Vista Campground, St. Charles Campground and Southside Campground. For picnicking, visit Lake Isabel Picnic and Day Use Area (Southside).
Trails in this area include:
- Cisneros Trail #1314
- Snowslide Trail #1318
- Wachob Trail #1319
A developed picnic area with the following attractions: Picnicking, hiking, fishing and boating. At Lake Isabel, non-motorized boating, and fishing.
A quaint historical Forest Ranger cabin adjacent to the Lake Isabel Recreation Area.
La Vista Campground is a developed campground within the Lake Isabel Recreation Area. Lake Isabel offers opportunities for non-motorized boating and fishing. St.
St. Charles Campground is a developed campground within the Lake Isabel Recreation Area. Lake Isabel offers opportunities for non-motorized boating and fishing. St.
Southside Campground is a developed campground within the Lake Isabel Recreation Area. Lake Isabel offers opportunities for nonmotorized boating and fishing. St.
A scenic drive through the Wet Mountains of the San Isabel National Forest. Frontier Pathways was designated by the U.S.
A developed group campground within the Lake Isabel Recreation Area. Attractions: hiking, fishing and non-motorized.
Spruce Group Campground is a developed campground within the Lake Isabel Recreation Area. Lake Isabel offers opportunities for non-motorized boating and fishing. St.
The South Colony Area is located on the west side of the Wet Mountain Valley near Westcliffe, Colorado with steep and rugged trails that take visitors into the heart of the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness.
Sangre de Cristo Wilderness was designated by Congress in 1993, and it now has a total of 220,803 acres. All of this wilderness is located in Colorado and is managed by the Forest Service and the National Park Service. The Sangre de Cristo Wilderness is bordered by the Great Sand Dunes Wilderness to the west.
Please follow Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics to ensure that this and future generations experience this special place in its natural condition.
Trails in this area include:
- Marble Mountain Trail #1338
- North Colony Trail #1340
- South Colony Trail #1339
South Colony Basin and the surrounding 14,000-foot peaks offer a broad range of recreational opportunities, including camping, hiking, backpacking, mountaineering, fishing
The Tanner/Stultz area is only a short drive from Cañon City, Colorado. This area is popular for OHV riding and mountain biking. The lower elevations in the area are arid and rugged with rock-outcroppings. As you meander up through the higher elevations the landscape changes to Ponderosa pine. Pikes Peak can be seen far off to the north and the Sangre de Cristos Mountains can be seen to the west.
Trails in this area include:
- Stultz Trail #1334
- Tanner Peak Trail #1332
- Lion Canyon Trail #1329
- Newlin Creek Trail #1335
- Lewis Creek Trail #1331
Access to East Bear Gulch Trail #1333, single track open to motorcycles. Trail length is 2.3 miles.
The Venable/Comanche Area is located on the west side of the Wet Mountain Valley near Westcliffe, Colorado with steep and rugged trails that take visitors into the heart of the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness.
Sangre de Cristo Wilderness was designated by Congress in 1993, and it now has a total of 220,803 acres. All of this wilderness is located in Colorado and is managed by the Forest Service and the National Park Service. The Sangre de Cristo Wilderness is bordered by the Great Sand Dunes Wilderness to the west.
Please help keep wilderness wild by following Leave No Trace practices.
Trails in this area include:
- Comanche Trail #1345
- Cottonwood Trail #1344
- Venable Trail #1347
- Goodwin Trail #1346
Alvarado Campground offers reservable, equestrian, and first-come, first-served sites.
The Alvarado Trailhead is located in the Alvarado Campground and accesses the Rainbow Trail #1336.
Recreation Sites
Alvarado Campground
Alvarado Trailhead
Bear Lake Campground
Bear Lake Day Use Area
Blue Lake Campground
Blue Lake Day Use Area
Cordova Pass Picnic Area and Campground
Cuchara Day Use Picnic Area
Davenport Campground
East Bear Trailhead #1333
