South Fork

Managing agency

Arapaho-Roosevelt NF — Canyon Lakes RD

South Fork is an 8.6-mile out-and-back trail located in Colorado near the town of Colorado, managed by the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest's Canyon Lakes Ranger District. The route features 546 feet of elevation gain, making it a moderately accessible option for hikers of varying experience levels. This out-and-back configuration allows hikers to choose their own turnaround point, with the full distance totaling 8.6 miles round trip. The trail's relatively modest elevation gain is distributed across the journey, providing a steady climb without extreme steep sections. The South Fork trail is situated within the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest, offering access to the natural landscape characteristic of the Canyon Lakes area. As a maintained trail within a National Forest managed area, South Fork provides a structured hiking experience with established routes and ranger district oversight. The out-and-back format makes this trail flexible for different fitness levels and time constraints, as hikers can adjust their distance by selecting their own endpoint along the route.