The Arapaho National Forest is located in the Rocky Mountains and foothills of north-central Colorado, and includes lands on both sides of the Continental Divide. Topography on the forest varies from rolling hills around 5,500' to snow-covered mountain peaks of over 14,000' in elevation. Some campgrounds can be found as high as 12,000'. Terrain varies from gently-sloping foothills and open forest to rocky steep slopes and windswept tundra. Trout fishing is very popular and certain locations are catch-and-release and/or artificial flies and lures only. Congress designated the upper stretch of the river west of Poudre Park as the Cache la Poudre Wild and Scenic River because of its outstanding recreation and scenic features. Enjoy camping, picnicking, fishing, hiking, and white-water rafting and kayaking in late spring and early summer. Forest-permitted rafting companies along the Poudre River offer daily trips for the inexperienced river runner. Canoe/flat water enthusiasts can enjoy lakes found throughout the forest.

• Boulder Ranger District -
• Canyon Lakes Ranger District -
• Clear Creek Ranger District -
• Mount Evans -
• Pawnee Ranger District -
• Sulphur Ranger District -

• Take the Cache la Poudre-North Park scenic drive which offers fall color viewing.
• Visit the Poudre Wild and Scenic River for excellent recreation, scenic and hydrologic features.
• Visit the headwaters of the Colorado River. The small streams originating in Rocky Mountain National Park and the Arapaho National Forest combine and turn into a roaring river leaving northwest Colorado.