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On the Scenic Highway of Legends (Hwy 12) between Cuchara and La Veta.
Photo by Paul Alhadef
Apishapa SWA • Blue and Bear Lakes • Bosque del Oso (SWA)
Comanche NG • James M. John SWA • Lake Dorothey SWA
Lathrop State Park • North Lake SWA • Purgatoire Campground
Trinidad Lake State Park • Spanish Peaks SWA • Spanish Peaks NWA
• Day Use Areas •
To the west of Trinidad is lake country. A distinctive feature of this Highway of Legends region is huge dikes that radiate like spokes of a wheel from the ancient Spanish Peaks. The Sangre de Cristos march along the horizon.
The area is superb for easy access to fishing, boating, swimming, water skiing, wind surfing, camping, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and wildlife watching. Those who want demanding adventure follow trails to the mountain peaks and choose the four-wheel-drive backroads. Afternoon rains in summer freshen the forests of pine, spruce, cedar, and aspen. Autumn on the Highway of Legends is a wash of gold when the aspen leaves turn.
The eastern region includes the Mountain Branch of the Santa Fe Trail, one of the three major trails of western history. Here in wide-open country, it is easy to envision wagon trains rumbling toward Trinidad, where early travelers rested beneath cooling cottonwoods on the banks of the Purgatoire River.
In this region, a network of canyons holds rare prehistoric sites for those undaunted by difficult terrain but ready to tread lightly in these special places. Come to stillness and watch in the Comanche National Grassland, which provides refuge for countless wild inhabitants such as the golden eagle and the swift fox.
In the volcano and mesa country of the southern region, visitors can take a fascinating tour of a working buffalo ranch, hike into an extinct volcano, and follow sky-skimming roads across the mesas.
For maps of State Wildlife Areas
wildlife.state.co.us/landwater/statewildlifeareas, choose the wildlife area from the drop-down menu and click on the map links at the top of the page.
There is no such thing as a state wilderness area. “Wilderness” areas are federal. “SWA” always means State Wildlife Area, land the state owns or leases for the purpose of providing refuges for wildlife and managed sites for fishing and hunting.
Photo by Jay Slater
Apishapa State Wildlife Area
Apishapa State Wildlife Area is not often visited, which is good news for those seeking the wildlife-watching experience. In these 7,935 acres of rolling to level shortgrass prairie with piñon-juniper, birders will find an “undiscovered jewel,” according to coloradocountybirding.com (see Wildlife Watching).
Bighorn sheep have been reintroduced to the area by the Division of Wildlife. Antelope, mule deer, bobcats, rabbit, coyotes also live here.
Being There
Camping is allowed with no open fires. No fishing. Hunting in season, September 1–February 28, is for deer, antelope bighorn sheep, rabbit, turkey, scaled quail, and dove. The area has no facilities; pack everything in and out.
Two-track roads allow vehicle travel to different portions of the property, which is in three separate parcels. Most roads lie past the parking lot. Traffic is prohibited unless roads are dry, and no off-road driving is permitted. If roads are wet, proceed on foot or horseback from the welcome sign and parking area. If you come to a fence, please go no further; private property surrounds the area.
Part of Apishapa Canyon, enormous and cedar-scented, runs through the SWA. Follow the roads past the parking lot and you will find the canyon rim. Most people hiking in the canyon use game trails.
Getting There
This area is in the eastern region. For the north entrance: Take Highway 10, which can be reached from I-25 near Walsenburg (which is 37 miles northwest of Trinidad) or from east of La Junta. From Walsenburg, go east on Highway 10 for about 18 miles, then south on County Road 77 for 7 miles. Then go east on County Road 90 for about 11 miles to the property. You may meet “no trespassing” signs along the way, but state signs reassure you that you are on public roads.
For the south entrance: From Highway 10, the sign says “Apishapa SWA 20 miles.” Once you are on county roads, there are signs pointing which direction to go for the north entrance or south entrance.
Your visit preserves habitat for future generations. Habitat stamps are required for access privileges to state wildlife areas. Purchase wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold ($5 included in license fee or $10.25 if not buying a license) including online at wildlifelicense.com/co/start.php or by calling 800-244-5613.
Current open-fire regulations: 719-846-2211 (Las Animas County Sheriff)
Current hunting regulations: wildlife.state.co.us/hunting
Other information: DOW office in Pueblo, CO: 719-561-5300
Area wildlife officer: 719-680-1412
wildlife.state.co.us/landwater/statewildlifeareas
Blue and Bear Lakes
This restful mountain retreat is scattered with wildflowers and butterflies. Trails wind through idyllic woodlands and meadows. Both lakes have good trout fishing.
Being There
The area has 30 campsites, each with a table, fire ring with grill, and camping spur. Drinking water and restrooms are provided. Tributaries of Cuchara Creek run through the campgrounds. Blue Lake campground with 16 campsites is on access road 422, four miles from the highway. Bear Lake campground, further up, has 14 sites with a maximum of 10 people per site. It is about a quarter mile from the lake. Campgrounds are on a first-come basis.
Trails in the area are multiuse, serving mountain bikes, motorcycles, and ATVs (see Hiking & Biking). Unlicensed ATVs must have a Colorado license.
Getting There
Blue and Bear Lakes are 50 miles west of Trinidad on the Scenic Highway of Legends (Hwy 12) at Road 422 (left turn). ATVs are not allowed on the main access road (Road 422). The road into this Cuchara River Recreation Area winds along the river, then continues through several switchbacks to Blue Lake, known for its blue color and shores covered with spruce trees. The road continues for about a mile until it reaches Bear Lake.
The area is usually open by Memorial Day weekend and through early October. During open season, the camp host lives on site at Blue Lake campground. Fees for camping, picnicking, fishing, and parking.
More on area trails: Hiking & Biking
Forest Service Office in La Veta, CO (preferred number): 719-742-3681
Forest Service Office in Cañon City, CO (alternate number): 719-269-8500
Bosque del Oso State Wildlife Area
Bosque del Oso (Forest of the Bear) is Colorado’s largest wildlife management area, 30,000 acres. The entire SWA is managed primarily for the benefit of wildlife and is closed December through April to protect bald eagles and wintering elk.
Being There
Two streams flow through the refuge: the middle fork and south fork of the Purgatoire River, both of which offer catch-and-release fishing with flies and lures. Hunting is by limited license for deer, elk, black bear, and turkey. See Colorado DOW regulations (link below) for application information.
Facilities are spartan: two packed-ground camping areas with restrooms—Oso Malo Campground and Apache Canyon Campground. Besides the campgrounds, there are six additional parking areas. Access by foot or horseback is permitted only from these parking and camping areas.
There are working gas wells on the Bosque del Oso. Please do not tamper with the wells and be aware that maintenance vehicles daily use the roads to perform service operations.
Visitors are expected to take the highest precautions regarding regulations and their own safety and should be prepared to bring everything with them and take it all back out. All food should be kept in bear-proof containers locked in the vehicle.
Getting There
Bosque del Oso is 21 miles west of Trinidad on Highway 12, the Scenic Highway of Legends. Take a left turn at the sign.
Your visit preserves habitat for future generations. Habitat stamps are required for access privileges to state wildlife areas. Purchase wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold ($5 included in license fee or $10.25 if not buying a license) including online at wildlifelicense.com/co/start.php or by calling 800-244-5613.
More on area wildlife: Wildlife Watching
Current open-fire regulations: 719-846-2211 (Las Animas County Sheriff)
Current hunting regulations: wildlife.state.co.us/hunting
For special hunting seasons outside state seasons:
719-680-1410 (area wildlife officer)
Other information: DOW office in Pueblo, CO: 719-561-5300
wildlife.state.co.us/landwater/statewildlifeareas
Comanche National Grassland
The grassland east of Trinidad has many stories to tell, from dinosaurs roaming the shoreline of a vast lake 150 million years ago to Mexican and American traders traveling the Santa Fe Trail 150 years ago.
Being There
Visitors find unequaled sunsets, golden prairies, fragrant juniper canyonlands, and extraordinary wildlife viewing. Opportunities abound for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and camping in these 440,000 acres in two parcels in southeastern Colorado.
During the Jurassic period, dinosaurs roamed this area of tropical forest. Today you can see the largest dinosaur trackway in North America—Dinosaur Guided Tour.
Ancient peoples created rock art on walls of canyons that lace the area. It has been suggested that some of the petroglyphs in the canyons, mixed in with the more familiar art of the native Plains Indians, were made by a culture with roots in Asia.—Magical Canyon Daytrip.
Visitors can still travel sections of the Santa Fe Trail by foot or horseback and can view well-preserved wagon ruts immediately north and west of Iron Springs.
Timpas Creek was the first source of water for Santa Fe Trail travelers after leaving the Arkansas River to head southwest to Trinidad. A one-half-mile mile loop nature trail takes visitors to Timpas Creek and back. Hikers and horseback riders can follow a 3-mile section of the Santa Fe National Historic Trail to Sierra Vista Overlook.
Getting There
From Trinidad, take Highway 350 northeast to the upper parcel of the Grassland, or take Highway 160 east to the lower Grassland.
To reach Iron Springs, travel from Trinidad on Highway 350 for 42 miles. Turn left (south) at County Road 9 for 1 miles and then turn right (west) to the parking lot.
Timpas is 71 miles from Trinidad on Highway 350.
More on area wildlife: Wildlife Watching
Comanche National Grassland at U.S. Forest Service site: http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/psicc/coma/
Birding in the CNG: http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/psicc/coma/main/birdlist.shtml
More on the Santa Fe Trail: santafetrailscenicandhistoricbyway.org
More on canyons in the CNG: springfieldcolorado.com
Comanche National Grassland La Junta, CO Office: 719-384-2181
Comanche National Grassland Springfield, CO Office: 719-523-6591
James M. John State Wildlife Area
This little-known 8,200-acre recreation area is high and wild at 7,000–10,000 feet.
Being There
This is a wilderness camping experience with no restrooms, water, or other modern amenities; pack it in and take it all back out.
Birders will see area raptors, golden and bald eagle, turkey vultures in season, and, if lucky, sharp-tailed grouse. Hunting is for deer, turkey, elk, bear, mountain lion, coyote, waterfowl, bobcat, and small game. There is no fishing on the property.
Getting There
This area is south of Trinidad. Follow the directions to the lower Lake Dorothey SWA. From the Lake Dorothey parking lot, proceed by foot or horseback about 3.5 miles northwest on an unmarked trail to the top of Raton Mesa. The area is open April 1– November 30.
Your visit preserves habitat for future generations. Habitat stamps are required for access privileges to state wildlife areas. Purchase wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold ($5 included in license fee or $10.25 if not buying a license) including online at wildlifelicense.com/co/start.php or by calling 800-244-5613.
Current open-fire regulations: 719-846-2211 (Las Animas County Sheriff)
Current hunting regulations: wildlife.state.co.us/hunting.
Other information: DOW office in Pueblo, CO: 719-561-5300
Area wildlife officer: 719-680-1412
wildlife.state.co.us/landwater/statewildlifeareas
Lake Dorothey State Wildlife Area
This region’s claim to fame is the first state record of acorn woodpecker, which colonized the area for a few years in the mid-1990s. The habitat is generally ponderosa and scrub-oak with some higher meadows to 10,000 feet. Mountain birds, elk, deer, bear, mountain lion, small game, and turkey live here.
Being There
Access to this 4800-acre area is restricted to foot or horseback from established parking areas. Camping is prohibited within 200 feet of Lake Dorothey and 100 feet of streams. Fishing in the coldwater lake and streams is with artificial flies and lures only. The area offers hunting for deer, elk, and turkey.
Getting There
Although in Colorado, this remote area south of Trinidad is easily accessible only through New Mexico. If you have four-wheel-drive, are plucky & lucky, see Four-Wheeling for access from Colorado.
Otherwise, from Raton, New Mexico (17 miles south of Trinidad on I-25) go 7 miles east on NM Highway 72 for about 4 miles, then north on 526 for about 6 miles to the Colorado–New Mexico state line. It’s approximately another 12 miles on Road 85.5 to Lake Dorothey SWA. The area is open year-round.
Your visit preserves habitat for future generations. Habitat stamps are required for access privileges to state wildlife areas. Purchase wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold ($5 included in license fee or $10.25 if not buying a license) including online at wildlifelicense.com/co/start.php or by calling 800-244-5613.
More on area wildlife: Wildlife Watching
Current open-fire regulations: 719-846-2211 (Las Animas County Sheriff)
Current hunting regulations: wildlife.state.co.us/hunting.
Other information: DOW office in Pueblo, CO: 719-561-5300
Area wildlife officer: 719-680-1412
wildlife.state.co.us/landwater/statewildlifeareas
Lathrop State Park
Colorado’s first state park has golf and two lakes offering water sports for the whole family. The ancient Spanish Peaks tower over the park’s high-plains grassland of 1,594 acres. A recently updated and expanded visitor center boasts a historical mural and interactive interpretive displays.
Being There
Martin Lake (180 acres) offers waterskiing, fishing, power and sail boating, wind surfing, and swimming. Horseshoe Lake (140 acres) offers wind surfing and sailing, boating at wakeless speeds, and fishing.
Lakes are stocked with rainbow trout, channel catfish, tiger muskie, bass, walleye, bluegill, and crappie. Horseshoe Lake provides an opportunity to fish for the toughest fish to catch in fresh water: tiger muskie. Ice fishing on the lakes is not recommended.
The park has 104 campsites on two campgrounds and two group camping areas. Sites accommodate motor homes, trailers, and tents and offer either a basic or improved camping experience. Call for specific amenities—such as tent pads, campfire rings, grills, and picnic tables—available at different sites. General amenities include showers and a laundry facility, dump stations, community hydrants (no hookups), restrooms, a playground, and trash receptacles. Unreserved sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
A group picnic area for large gatherings accommodates up to 50. The park has hiking trails; one three-mile, closed-loop trail is handicap accessible. See Hiking.
The Walsenburg golf course, next to the park, is open to the public. A restaurant, lounge, and pro shop occupy the spacious clubhouse.
Posted areas around Horseshoe Lake are open for waterfowl and small-game hunting during regular seasons. Hunting is prohibited anywhere in the park from the Friday before Memorial Day until the Tuesday after Labor Day. Only shotguns and bows and arrows are permitted during open seasons. Hunting licenses are required and available at the visitor center. The center also provides park passes, camping permits, firewood, bagged ice, maps, and nature-oriented publications.
Getting There
From Walsenburg (37 miles northwest of Trinidad), go 3 miles west on Hwy 160 to Road 502.
Camping reservations: 800-678-2267
Specific questions: 719-738-2376
Website: parks.state.co.us/parks/lathrop
Mailing address: 70 County Road 502, Walsenburg, CO 81089
North Lake State Wildlife Area
The lake is right next to the Scenic Highway of Legends for quick access.
Being There
The area has excellent fishing in the lake and streams (flies and lures only). The lake has a boat ramp, restrooms, and parking area and is stocked with rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout; kokanee salmon; and splake. In the north fork of the Purgatoire River are rainbow, brookies, and cutthroat.
Craft may be propelled only by hand, wind, or electric motor. Access is by foot or horseback only from parking areas. No camping or fires are allowed in this 840-acre wildlife area. Big game and turkey hunting in season.
Getting There
The area lies 35 miles west of Trinidad on the Scenic Highway of Legends, Highway 12.
Your visit preserves habitat for future generations. Habitat stamps are required for access privileges to state wildlife areas. Purchase wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold ($5 included in license fee or $10.25 if not buying a license) including online at wildlifelicense.com/co/start.php or by calling 800-244-5613.
Current hunting regulations: wildlife.state.co.us/hunting.
Other information: DOW office in Pueblo, CO, 719-561-5300
Area wildlife officer, 719-680-1410
wildlife.state.co.us/landwater/statewildlifeareas
Purgatoire Campground
This campground is especially popular on summer weekends and holidays, so it’s a good idea to make your reservations early.
Being There
The campground has 23 campsites and 13 RV sites, including 10 sites for tents and 8 that accommodate larger horse trailers and have spacious grassy areas for horses. If you have horses, bring only hay, cubes, or pellets that are certified weed free.
Parking spurs, tables, fire rings, grills, and trash receptacles are provided. Wood may be purchased from the camp host. Drinking water is from a well with a hand pump. There are 3 double-vault toilets. All food must be stored in bear-proof containers.
The campground offers stream fishing, hiking trails, mountain biking, and horseback riding. A camp host resides on site throughout the open season.
Reservations are required for all 23 sites with a nonrefundable reservation fee and a maximum stay of 14 days. Reservations may be made 360 days prior to your arrival or as late as 5 days prior.
Getting There
West of Trinidad on Highway 12, take a left turn onto Road 34, between Monument and North Lakes, and follow the road for 4 miles to the campground.
For more on trails at the campground: Hiking & Biking
Camping reservations: 1-877-444-6777 or www.reserveUSA.com
Other information:
Forest Service Office in La Veta, CO (preferred number): 719-742-3681
Forest Service Office in Cañon City, CO (alternate number) 719-269-8500
Trinidad Lake State Park
Trinidad Lake State Park encompasses 2,700 acres and has extraordinary family programs. The 800-acre lake is rated one of Colorado’s fishing hot spots.
Being There
Programs include interactive nature classes for children and evening concerts in the amphitheater. Discover horno (outdoor adobe oven) cooking and sample typical horno bread. Learn knife-throwing, buckskinning, fire-starting, and the mountain man lifestyle. Build your own kite and learn about the wind. Find out how plants adapt to fire. Make animal tracks and learn how to identify animals from their droppings.
The 800-acre lake for year-round fishing is stocked with rainbow and brown trout, crappie, largemouth bass, channel catfish, saugeye, walleye, wipers, bluegill. “This place is amazing,” says angler John Branstatter “Riley Canyon [west end of Trinidad Lake] is a smorgasbord offering anything from crappie to walleye.”
The lake is popular for water skiing, kayaking, canoeing, and motorized boating. Ice-skating and ice-fishing are allowed in winter at visitors’ own risk, and cross-country skiing is available when conditions permit.
Sixty-two sites for camping accommodate RVs, trailers, or tents with some sites available year-round. Five sites are provided for persons with disabilities. Facilities include showers, flush toilets, coin-operated laundry, electrical hookups, water hydrants, sewage dump station. Excellent sheltered picnic areas with all amenities accommodate large groups.
The park has ten miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and wildlife watching (Hiking & Biking). Visitors can choose a short walk, interpreted nature trails, or eight-mile hikes into primitive backcountry areas. Horseback riding is allowed on the south shore. Daypacks that include binoculars and field guides are available at the visitor center.
Near the center of the campground, near the park’s amphitheater, you will find a Native American teepee ring. Evidence of the K/T boundary, marking the time when dinosaurs disappeared from the planet, can be seen in Long’s Canyon Watchable Wildlife Area, within the park. This area and the western shore are good for birding.
During season in designated area, hunting is allowed with shotguns and bows only. Information and licenses are available at the visitors’ center.
Getting There
The park is only 3 miles west of Trinidad on Highway 12.
More on area wildlife: Wildlife Watching
Camping reservations: 800-678-2267
Reserve a picnic space or schedule a program for your group gathering:
719-846-6951
Website: parks.state.co.us/parks/trinidadlake
Mailing address: 32610 Hwy 12, Trinidad, CO 81082
Spanish Peaks State Wildlife Area (SWA)
This 6450-acre area in two sections is set aside for camping, hiking, and wildlife observation.
Being There
Access is by foot or horseback only from established campgrounds. No parking, camping, or fires are allowed outside of designated areas. Restrooms and drinking water are provided. There is no fishing on the property. Hunting in season is for deer, elk, rabbit, squirrel, turkey, bear, and mountain lion.
Getting There
Route 1. From Trinidad, for both sections of the SWA, take Highway 12 west for about 13 miles, just past Segundo, until you see the sign on your right (north) for Sarcillo Canyon Road, CR 41.7. This road is better traveled when dry. For the eastern section of the wildlife area, go about 9 miles on this road and turn east on CR 30.1 (La Garita) and follow the signs. For the western section, take the same Sarcillo Canyon Road but stay north and travel about 11.5 miles until you reach the entrance.
Route 2. Take Highway 12 west of Trinidad for 8 miles to Cokedale. Then go 18 miles north on CR57.7 (called both Bon Carbo Road and Reilly Canyon Road). Stay to the left when the road forks near the Bon Carbo post office. This road has twists and turns and meets up with CR 30.1 (see route #1). Follow the signs to either the eastern or western section of the SWA.
Route 3. From Aguilar (about 18 miles northwest of Trinidad on I-25), go west on Apishapa Road, CR 43.7 (also called Cordova Pass Road), to the property. This road takes you to the western section. Consider the weather. This road is recommended only for 4-wheel-drive vehicles.
NOTE: You may on other sites see directions to different named tracts in the Spanish Peaks State Wildlife Area. For your information, the eastern section contains the Beebe, Dochter, and Oberosler Tracts. The western section is the Sakariason Tract.
Your visit preserves habitat for future generations. Habitat stamps are required for access privileges to state wildlife areas. Purchase wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold ($5 included in license fee or $10.25 if not buying a license) including online at wildlifelicense.com/co/start.php or by calling 800-244-5613.
Current hunting regulations: wildlife.state.co.us/hunting.
DOW office in Pueblo, CO: 719-561-5300
Area wildlife officer: 719-680-1410
wildlife.state.co.us/landwater/statewildlifeareas
Spanish Peaks National Wilderness Area
The area provides dramatic scenery and some of the best wildlife watching and hiking in Colorado. The ancient Spanish Peaks—called by Native Americans Wahatoya, or "breasts of the earth"—watch over these 17,500 acres of wilderness.
Being There
For hiking trails in this area, see Hiking & Biking. Also see Four-Wheeling and Hiking Daytrip.
Access is prohibited except from parking areas, where restrooms, drinking water, and trash service are provided. Camping and fires are allowed only in designated areas, and fishing is not permitted. In higher elevations, be especially aware of the possibility of afternoon thunderstorms.
Getting There
From Aguilar, take the four-wheel-drive Cordova Pass Road, also called Apishapa Road. Or access this road at Cuchara. (The road is County Road 43.7 where it meets Aguilar but is CR 46 at Cuchara.) The trailhead for access to the wilderness area is 29 miles from Aguilar and 6 miles from Cuchara. It has 3 one-night campsites with restrooms and trash service.
Forest Service Office in La Veta, CO (preferred number): 719-742-3681
Forest Service Office in Cañon City, CO (alternate number): 719-269-8500
Day Use Areas
For a lovely drive, a picnic, and a hike, enjoy Cuchara Day Use Area and Spring Creek Trailhead Day Use Area.
Cuchara Day Use Area is on the access road (422) to Blue and Bear Lakes.
Spring Creek Trailhead Day Use Area is 0.5 miles this side of Cuchara. For trails in this area, see Hiking and Biking.
Forest Service Office in La Veta, CO (preferred number): 719-742-3681
Forest Service Office in Cañon City, CO (alternate number): 719-269-8500