Summer / Fall Recreation

The Peak to Peak Region offers an abundance of recreational activities. The region’s most popular ones are highlighted below, but don’t miss out on other sought-after offerings including casinos, disc golfing, geocashing, gold panning, picnicking, ranger-led programs, rock-hounding, scenic drives, shopping, skateboard parks, aerial parks, mountain coaster and more.

ATV TOURS/OHV DRIVING Four-

wheel driving, dirt bikes and ATV use are popular on the region’s challenging backcountry roads. Travel is prohibited off route or in wilderness areas. Use of OHV vehicles on public lands or trails requires a permit from Colorado State Parks. Out-of-state residents must purchase a Colorado Non-Resident permit. Visit parks. state.co.us for information. Popular areas include Yankee Hill west of Central City, Kingston Peak southwest of Rollinsville, Bunce School Road from Peaceful Valley to Allenspark and Switzerland Trail near Gold Hill. Motor Vehicle Use Maps, free at fs.usda.gov/arp, designate where driving is legal. Remember, forest roads are shared with bikers, hikers, horses and others. Rentals and tours are available in Estes Park.

BICYCLING Biking is a popular activity in the region, including riding the area’s scenic highways. Hundreds of miles of trails and roads are open to bikes in the National Forests, except in wilderness areas or as posted. Bikers can utilize 19 miles of multi-use dirt trails at Golden Gate Canyon State Park or Rocky Mountain National Park’s 60 miles of hard-surfaced roads. Stop in local bike shops in Nederland, Lyons and Estes Park for gear and expert advice on where to ride.

CAMPING Camping, with limitations, is allowed in much of the region’s National Forests as well as in National Park and State Park campgrounds, which include developed, dispersed, group and backcountry options along with private campgrounds and RV parks. See pages 6-7.

CLIMBING Climbing is world-renowned in the region with popular spots found throughout the region including Clear Creek Canyon south of Black Hawk, Golden Gate Canyon State Park in Gilpin County, Boulder Canyon east of Nederland, and Lumpy Ridge and Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park. Other options, from bouldering to multi-day, big-wall climbs, also exist. Always stay on public land and obey all wildlife closures. Visit mountainproject.com for detailed information about all regional climbs.

FISHING Lake, pond and stream fishing is unsurpassed in the region. Golden Gate Canyon State Park, Barker Reservoir and Boulder Creek near Nederland and Big Thompson River and Lake Estes near Estes Park are popular, easy-to-reach fishing waters. Colorado Parks and Wildlife regulations apply everywhere and special restrictions exist in many places; it is your responsibility to know and follow them. A valid Colorado fishing license is always required. Visit cpw.state.co.us for details and local license retailers or visit cpwshop. com to buy one online.

FITNESS/POOL Recreation centers with swimming pools can be found in Gilpin County and Estes Park. Nederland has a fitness room at its community center.

GOLF Play golf with a view at Estes Park 18-Hole Golf Course — with driving range, putting green, chipping area, club rental, golf carts and pro-shop — and Lake Estes 9-Hole Golf Course. Visit evrpd.colorado.gov/golf-courses or call 970-586-8146 x5 to learn more.

HIKING/BACKPACKING Hundreds

of miles of trails are available in the National Forests, National Park, State Park and open space. Rocky Mountain National Park offers 355 miles of hiking trails from lakeside strolls to steep mountain climbs. Over 35 miles of trails are in the State Park. Be aware of regulations, restrictions on dogs or horses and permit requirements. Find guides at nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/maps.

HORSEBACK RIDING Horses,

mules, ponies, llamas and burros are allowed on many National Forest, National Park, State Park and open space trails. Find trailheads with adequate parking at fs.usda.gov/arp. Pack animals are not allowed in campgrounds, wilderness areas or as posted. About 260 miles of trails are open to horses in the National Park and guided tours are available near Estes Park.

HUNTING The National Forests offer diverse hunting opportunities, permitted under Colorado Parks & Wildlife regulations, mostly west of the Continental Divide. Hunting is allowed in specific areas of the National Forests in season and the Jefferson County portion of Golden Gate Canyon State Park after Labor Day. Permits are required and all state and park rules apply. Get a license, see regulations and learn seasons, at cpw.state.co.us. Hunting is not allowed in the National Park.

MOUNTAINEERING Many easy-tosummit 13,000-foot peaks are found across the region. Visit climb13ers.com/colorado-13ers/front-range for details. Longs Peak, at 14,259 feet, towers above other summits of the region. Reaching the top of Long's Peak is not a hike. It is a climb crossing enormous sheer vertical rock faces and requires scrambling where an unroped fall is fatal. The route has narrow ledges, loose rock, steep cliffs and can experience winter-like conditions at any time.

MINING ATTRACTION Evidence

of the area's mining past can be seen throughout much of the Peak to Peak Region while the Nederland Mining Museum and Bluebird Mine at Caribou Ranch Open Space and more showcase that history.

RAFTING/KAYAKING A variety

of rafting and boating options from whitewater rafting to paddle boats can be found in the region. Numerous professional companies offer a variety of whitewater and float trips near Idaho Springs and Estes Park. Non-motorized boating is allowed on Chase Gulch Reservoir near Central City, Gross Reservoir near Coal Creek Canyon, Brainard Lake near Ward and parts of Boulder Creek. Lake Estes Marina offers pontoon and paddle boats, kayaks and more.

WILDFLOWER VIEWING Wildflow-

ers can be found on most backcountry hikes and along scenic drives all summer. Fourth of July Trailhead west of Nederland is a well-known wildflower viewing area.

WILDLIFE VIEWING A wide array

of big game animals and large birds including elk, moose, bear, mountain lions, bighorn sheep, eagles, falcons, owls and more can be seen across the region. Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow, approach or feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages health, alters behaviors and exposes them to predators.