Arapaho National Forest

Named for the Native American tribe that hunted in this area before the arrival of white settlers, this federal property includes the 36,000-acre Arapaho National Recreation Area, located in the vicinity of Lake Granby, just off the southwestern corner of Rocky Mountain National Park; and the much larger Arapaho National Forest, which spreads from the northwest to the southwest. There are also several designated wilderness areas within the forest boundaries.

As in Roosevelt National Forest, you'll find that regulations are generally less restrictive here than in national parks. Most trails (except those going into wilderness areas) are open to mountain bikes, and dogs are allowed on trails if leashed. In addition to hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing, and camping, there are also abundant old mining and logging roads that offer opportunities for four-wheel-drive and motorbike excursions. Check with forest rangers for specifics.

Information & Visitor Center -- For advance information, contact the Forest Service Information Center, 2150 Centre Ave., Building E, Fort Collins, CO 80526 (tel. 970/295-6700), or the Rocky Mountain Region office, P.O. Box 25127, Lakewood, CO 80225 (tel. 303/275-5350). Information is also available from the forest service's Sulphur Ranger District office, 9 Ten Mile Rd. (P.O. Box 10), Granby, CO 80446 (tel. 970/887-4100), off U.S. 40 about 1/2 mile south of the town; the office is open Monday through Saturday from 8am to 4:30pm. You can also get information online at www.fs.fed.us/r2 or www.fs.fed.us/arnf.

Fees -- Entrance into the national forest is free (except for camping), but the fee for entrance into the Arapaho National Recreation Area is $5 per vehicle for 1 day, $10 for 3 days, and $15 for 7 days.

Sports & Other Outdoor Activities

Boating -- The biggest of the area's three major lakes, Lake Granby, located about 9 miles south of Rocky Mountain National Park's west entrance along U.S. 34, covers 7,256 acres when full, with about 40 miles of shoreline and a depth of over 220 feet. Several full-service marinas offer docking, mooring, fuel, boating and fishing equipment sales and rentals, and guided fishing trips. Powerboats that can hold six people rent for about $225 per day; pontoon boats, which have capacities for 8 to 10 people, start at about $165 per day. Check with Highland Marina, 7878 U.S. 34 (tel. 970/887-3541; www.highland-marina.com), on the west side of the lake. Beacon Landing Marina, on the north side of the lake, about 2 miles from U.S. 34 on County Road 64 (tel. 800/864-4372 or 970/627-3671; www.discovercolorado.com/beaconlanding), offers rentals and supplies.

Fishing -- Although there are a number of rivers and streams in the forest, the best fishing is in the lakes. At Shadow Mountain Lake, just southwest of Grand Lake, you'll find several species of trout, including rainbows that are stocked from April through August. Lake Granby, especially when the water level is high, is a good choice for anglers seeking kokanee salmon and rainbow, brown, brook, and lake trout. The lake is stocked with rainbows and a small number of browns; occasionally browns weighing up to 10 pounds are caught. Beacon Landing Marina offers guided fishing trips that cost about $225 for one to three anglers for 4 hours.

Hiking -- There are numerous hiking opportunities in the Arapaho National Recreation Area and Arapaho National Forest, including some that take you into the national park. The North Inlet Trail is an easy 2-hour walk to pretty Cascade Falls, and the East Inlet Trail is an easy half-hour walk to Adams Falls. There's an easy walk along the east shore of Shadow Mountain Lake (park near Greenridge USFS Campground and walk over the dam). Somewhat more challenging is the 3- to 4-hour hike to the top of Shadow Mountain, from which you have a spectacular view of the town, the valley, and all three lakes.

One popular trail is the easy mile-long Bowen Gulch self-guided interpretive trail that winds through an old-growth forest. It was constructed in 1993 as a joint effort of the U.S. Forest Service, the Colorado Division of Wildlife, and the Colorado Mountain Club Foundation. It shows what old-growth spruce-fir forests look like and illustrates the importance of this unique ecosystem for biological diversity. Among the wildlife that can be seen are voles, owls, goshawks, three-toed woodpeckers, and pine martens. The trail is closed to motorized vehicles, bikes, and horses, and it is located north of Lake Granby off a county and forest road. Get directions to the trail and pick up a brochure at the Sulphur Ranger District office in Granby, 9 Ten Mile Rd. (P.O. Box 10), Granby, CO 80446 (tel. 970/887-4100), off U.S. 40 about 1/2 mile south of the town.

Horseback Riding -- Many forest trails used by hikers are also suitable for horseback riding. Check with forest-service offices for recommendations. To minimize the spread of non-native noxious plants, those taking hay into the forest must be able to show that it is certified weed-free. Those unable to bring their own horse can join a guided horseback ride with the Grand Lake stables of Sombrero Ranches, located on the western edge of the village of Grand Lake on Portal Road (tel. 970/627-3514; www.sombrero.com). A 1-hour ride costs $35, a 2-hour ride is $40, and an all-day ride is $90. Breakfast and supper rides are also offered.

Mountain Biking -- Many forest trails, except those in wilderness areas, are open to mountain bikes; check with forest-service offices. Mountain-bike rentals are available in Grand Lake.

Winter Sports -- Many of the trails in the Arapaho National Forest and Arapaho National Recreation Area are perfect for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Snowshoe rentals are available from Grand Lake Sports, 902 Grand Ave. (tel. 970/627-8124; www.grandspiritsports.com); call for rates and availability. Some restrictions apply to snowmobiles, which cannot be taken into wilderness areas, so check first with forest-service offices.