State Forest State Park

State Forest State Park
North Michigan Creek Reservoir
Map showing the location of State Forest State Park
Map showing the location of State Forest State Park
LocationJackson / Larimer counties, Colorado, United States
Nearest cityWalden, CO
Coordinates40°30′41″N 106°00′37″W / 40.51139°N 106.01028°W / 40.51139; -106.01028
Area70,838 acres (286.67 km2)
Established1970
Visitors387,326 (in 2021)[1]
Governing bodyColorado Parks and Wildlife

State Forest State Park is a Colorado State Park located in Jackson and Larimer counties east of Walden, Colorado, United States. The 70,838-acre (286.67 km2) park was established in 1970 in the Medicine Bow Range of the Rocky Mountains. Facilities include a visitors' center, 187 campsites (including RV and tent sites), over 60 dispersed camping sites, 15 cabins and yurts, picnic sites, boat ramps and 94 miles (151 km) of hiking trails.[2]

About 52,000 acres (210 km2) of the park are forested in lodgepole pine, Douglas fir, Colorado blue spruce, aspen and other species. An unprecedented epidemic of Mountain pine beetle is currently reshaping the park's flora landscape.[3] Wildlife in the park includes moose ("Moose is our claim to fame"), bighorn sheep, black bear, mule deer and elk. North Park is considered the moose viewing capital of Colorado, with over 600 moose[4] to be observed year-round.

  1. ^ "Colorado State Parks Region Annual Visitation Report" (PDF). Colorado Counties, Inc. 2023.
  2. ^ "State Forest State Park". Colorado Tourism Office. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
  3. ^ "Pine Beetle Epidemic" (PDF). Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
  4. ^ "Colorado Parks & Wildlife".