Columbine Ranger District
The Columbine Ranger District manages 691,310 acres of the San Juan National Forest in La Plata and San Juan counties, Colorado. The District stretches from the Piedra River west to the La Plata Mountains and north from the boundary of the Southern Ute Indian Reservation to Red Mountain Pass. It is a backcountry District, with about 323,625 acres of Wilderness, and the largest non-Wilderness roadless area in Colorado – the Hermosa Roadless Area.
District Ranger: Nick Glidden
Recreation Sites
Animas River Trail
The Animas River Trail is an excellent trail for day hikers, backpackers, and stock riders. The Animas River Trail is an alternative to taking the train to get to Chicago Basin by connecting…
Beri ATV Trail
Beri ATV Trail #812 begins and ends at Middle Mountain Road, Forest Road 724. Middle Mountain road heads north of Vallecito Reservoir. The trail is popular with Off Highway Vehicles (OHVs).Distance…
Bull Creek Trail
Bull Creek Trail #682 is a two-track road that begins at Forest Road 613, Fossett Gulch Road and ends at the boundary with Southern Ute Agency. The trail begins in ponderosa pine and gambel oak…
Burnt Timber Trail
The Burnt Timer Trail was named for a fire that swept through the area years ago. Large stands of aspen now flank the trail. You gain 1,000' in elevation the first mile. The trail continues climbing…
Cascade Creek Trail
Cascade Creek Trail passes by several beautiful views and waterfalls. There are two trails, on either side of the creek. The trail on the east is a stock driveway that is steep and muddy in spots.…
Cave Basin Trail
Cave Basin Trail starts off wide and well defined but soon disappears, and the majority of the hike is bushwhacking. The trail is distinctive from a distance, but once you are on the trail it is hard…
Chris Park / Haviland Lake Trail System
Chris Park / Haviland Lake Trail System includes a series of interconnected trails that meander through the Haviland and Chris Park area. The trails are good for hiking and horseback riding in the…
Chris Park Group Campground
Site Closed
The Chris Park Group Campground, one mile south of Haviland Lake on Forest Rd. 166, has 3 group campsites. Two group sites accommodate 75 campers each. A third group site accommodates up to 150…
Colorado Trail - Blackhawk Trail
Blackhawk Trail (501) is an 11 mile segment of the Colorado Trail - Segment 26. This trail begins at the southwest edge of Celebration Lake (near Bolam Pass along FSR 578) where the Colorado Trail…
Colorado Trail - Elk Creek Trail
Elk Creek Trail #503 is part of the Colorado Trail, traversing the mountains from Denver to Durango. The trail can be access from either Molas Trail #665 or the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge…