Local Hiking Trails

Waterfall cascading down rocks surrounded by greenery in a forest setting.

North Crestone Creek Trail

The North Crestone Trail is 5.7 miles long. It begins at Forest Road 950 and ends at N. Crestone Lake. This trail offers excellent possibilities for extended backpacking, connects to Trail # 746 & 747, or just a good day hike from the campground. Fishing is possible along the creek and at North Crestone Lake.  Trailhead located at the east end of North Crestone Campground.

Visit the US Forest Service Website for Detailed Information

Trail Map and Reviews
Woman sitting on rocky ledge overlooking a mountain lake with forested slopes and cloudy sky.

Willow Lake Trail

The Willow Lake Trail is a challenging trail 4.8 miles long. It begins at Forest Road 949 and ends at Upper Willow Lake. Good for a long day trip or an extended trip. Horses can get within 300 yards of the lake. Offers fishing, Willow Falls, access for climbers to Crestone Needles, Crestone Peak, Challenger Point, and Kit Carson Peaks. Also offers excellent views of the San Luis Valley.

Visit the US Forest Service Website for Detailed Information

Trail Map and Reviews

Cottonwood Creek Hike Video

Cottonwood Creek Trail

The Cottonwood Creek Trail is approximately 1 mile long. It begins at the Temporary Trail Head and dead ends northeast of Cottonwood Lake.

Attractions are Cottonwood Lake, spectacular rugged scenery, access to some of the higher peaks for mountaineering and the opportunity for some challenging hiking.

Visit the US Forest Service Website for Detailed Information

Trail Map and Reviews
Mountain landscape with green grassy slopes, rocks, scattered yellow wildflowers, snow patches, and cloudy sky
More Hiking Trails

Stone Native American Huts

2180 Spanish Creek Rd, Crestone, CO 81131

Stone Huts Build by Native Americans to store food. Short Walk

Map and Reviews
A hiking trail map of Sand Dunes with numbered trail routes, campsites, and landmarks, including Medano Lake and Sand Creek. A list of six trails: Mosca Trail, High Dune, Star Dune, Sand Ramp Trail, Medano Lake, and Sand Creek is on the right, with outdoor safety tips such as drinking water, wearing sunglasses and sun protection, with watercolor icons illustrating each tip.
Map of Bonanza OHV Tour in San Isabel and Rio Grande National Forests showing various trails, landmarks, and points of interest, with roads and elevation details.
Explore Off Road Trails & MORE on our new website!!!
Map of hiking trails in a desert region with icons of hikers on various trails. Top Ten Hiking Trails list includes Willow Lake Trail, Crestone Needle, South Colony Lakes, Penitente Canyon Trail, South Crestone Lake, North Crestone Creek, High Dune Trail, Crestone Ziggeraut, Sand Sheet Loop Trail, and Zapata Falls Trail.

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Wildlife and Nature Photography

Crestone is a world class wildlife experience. Hawks, Falcon, Deer, Bobcat, Elk, Coyote and Bear along with other animals make Crestone and the Baca their home. Crestone and Sand Dunes National Park are now designated Dark Sky Communities making for some incredible nightscapes. The majestic Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range and the San Luis Valley make for dramatic landscapes. Many opportunities for great photography and wildlife viewing and hunting are found here near the Baca Wildlife Refuge and the National Forests surrounding Crestone.

Herd of Elk in the Baca

Close-up of a fierce-looking hawk with tan and brown feathers, piercing eyes, and a partially open sharp beak, set against a blurred background.
Night sky filled with numerous stars and the Milky Way galaxy above silhouetted trees.
A flock of geese flying over a grassy field with a cloudy sky in the background.
A deer with antlers in a snowy forest, partially obscured by a snow-covered green tree.
Sun rays breaking through dark clouds over a vast landscape of fields and distant mountains.
Four elk crossing a dirt road in a rural landscape with mountains in the background and scattered buildings in the distance.
Young black bear peeking between trees in a forested area.
Snow-capped mountains with clouds and mist in the valley below, under a partly cloudy sky.
Two yak standing behind a barbed wire fence in a yellow grassy plain.
A deer with large antlers standing in a grassy field with a mountain range in the background at sunset.
A landscape view of mountains under a dark, cloudy sky with sunlight breaking through in the distance.
Close-up of a deer with snow on its face and ears, standing in a snowy forest.
Night sky filled with stars and the Milky Way galaxy, with a Buddhist stupa and prayer flags in the foreground.
Black and white photo of sand dunes under a partly cloudy sky, showing the ripples and curves of the sand.
Black and white photo of snow-covered mountains under a moonlit sky with a full moon and a few clouds, and leafless trees in the foreground.
Three deer standing among snow-covered bushes and trees in a winter landscape.
A straight paved road leading towards snow-capped mountains under a blue sky, with a cow crossing warning sign on the right side and power lines on the left side.
Close-up of a deer with large antlers in the foreground, and another deer with antlers in the background, in a natural outdoor setting with dry grass and trees.

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