Arapaho National Forest
Arapaho National Forest offers high Rockies, alpine basins & access to Denver & Winter Park. Explore hiking, camping, off-road routes.
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Geography
| Continent | North America |
|---|---|
| Region | Rocky Mountains |
| Subregion | Western United States |
| Country | United States |
| State | Colorado |
| County | Clear Creek and Park counties |
| District | Arapaho National Forest |
| City | Granby |
| Postal Code | 80446 |
| Timezone | AmericaDenver |
| Latitude | 40.5 |
| Longitude | -105 |
| Maps |
7:15 PM LOCAL TIMEArapaho National Forest covers approximately 10,400 km² (4,000+ sq mi) of high peaks, alpine basins & forested valleys in central Colorado. It spans from the _Front Range corridor near Denver and Boulder, through the Routt Plateau and Indian Peaks, to aspen valleys and glacial cirques near Grand Lake & Rollins Pass. Key peaks include Grays Peak & Torreys Peak, with deep lakes, scenic drives like Trail Ridge Road and trails to *Longs Peak* and *Clear Creek* Basin. The forest supports **multiple-use recreation: hiking**, **backcountry camping**, **off-road vehicle routes**, **winter snowmobiling** & nearby ski resorts. Access is via state highways and U.S. routes to towns such as Granby, Estes Park, and small mountain villages. Expect **wildlife** (*) elk*, *mule deer*, *bighorn sheep* and *black bears*, along with high-elevation flora and alpine tundra—best experienced by prepared hikes and overnight routes. The landscape changes with elevation: forest covers the lower slopes, while above timberline the terrain becomes rocky & windswept. Features like Berthoud Pass & Berthoud Falls_ make the area a crossroads of routes and weather; check current trail & road conditions for winter travel.
All content was written by our AI and may contain a few mistakes. We may earn commissions on some links. Last updated: Sun Dec 14, 2025, 2:55 AM