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Hunt Pike National Forest: units, rules and dates
National forest in Park County and 5 more counties (1,097,266 acres).
Photo: brian gautreau (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Pike National Forest
Entry requirements for Pike National Forest
On Pike National Forest, CPW sets seasons and sells licenses while USFS manages habitat and roads. Federal rule 36 CFR 261.10(d) bars firing a gun within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed site or occupied area, and across or on a forest road or a body of water. Road and trail access for vehicles is set by the Motor Vehicle Use Map.
Forest Service wording: Hunting, fishing and shooting opportunities of all kinds can be found on the Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands.
Hunting opportunities include small game birds or waterfowl on the grasslands and hunting deer, pronghorn or elk on the forested districts.
Cast your line from the banks or a boat for some great fishing! Fishing opportunities include lake and pond fishing, river and stream fishing and ice fishing.
In general, recreational shooting is allowed on most National Forest System lands. However, discharging a firearm is always prohibited within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site or occupied area; into or within a cave; across or on a National Forest System road or a nearby body of water or in any manner or place where any person or property is exposed to injury or damage (36 CFR 261.10(d)).
From the agency source; checked November 5, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Pike National Forest
What the agency says about Pike National Forest
Going by the USFS EDW Lands Area Statistics, Pike National Forest covers 1,097,266 acres. 12 national forests appear on this site, and by acres Pike National Forest comes 7th. Within Park County there are 3 national forests on file.
The listed quarry: Deer, Pronghorn, Elk.
From the agency page (USDA Forest Service); retrieved 2026-11-04, checked November 5, 2026.
Open seasons by unit on Pike National Forest
In all, 40 public-land season rows apply in these GMUs. OTC options in these units: elk. Private-land-only and ranch rows (8) are not shown. 24 unit rows for unlisted game are omitted.
| Game | Method | Sex | Sale | Opens | Closes | GMUs here |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elk | Rifle | cow | Limited draw | Sep 1, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | 58 |
| Elk | Archery | cow | Limited, nonresident | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 59, 511, 581 |
| Elk | Archery | cow | OTC, residents | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 59, 511, 581 |
| Elk | Archery | either sex | Limited draw | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 46, 49, 50, 51 + |
| Elk | Archery | either sex | Limited, nonresident | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 59, 511, 581 |
| Elk | Archery | either sex | OTC, residents | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 59, 511, 581 |
| Elk | Muzzleloader | bull | Limited draw | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 46, 49, 50, 51 + |
| Elk | Muzzleloader | cow | Limited draw | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 46, 49, 50, 51 + |
| Elk | Rifle | bull | Limited draw | Oct 14, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | 46, 49, 50, 51 + |
| Elk | Rifle | cow | Limited draw | Oct 14, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | 46, 51, 58, 59 + |
| Elk | Rifle | bull | Limited draw | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | 46, 49, 50, 51 + |
| Elk | Rifle | cow | Limited draw | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | 46, 49, 50, 51 + |
| Elk | Rifle | cow | Limited, split | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | 49 |
| Elk | Second rifle | bull | OTC | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | 59, 511, 581 |
| Elk | Rifle | bull | Limited draw | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | 46, 49, 50, 51 + |
| Elk | Rifle | cow | Limited draw | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | 46, 49, 50, 51 + |
| Elk | Rifle | cow | Limited, split | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | 49 |
| Elk | Third rifle | bull | OTC | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | 59, 511, 581 |
| Elk | Rifle | bull | Limited draw | Nov 18, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | 46, 49, 50, 51 + |
| Elk | Rifle | cow | Limited draw | Nov 18, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | 46, 49, 50, 51 + |
| Elk | Rifle | cow | Limited, split | Nov 18, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | 49 |
| Elk | Rifle | cow | Limited, late | Dec 12, 2026 | Dec 20, 2026 | 500, 501 |
| Elk | Rifle | cow | Limited, late | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | 50 |
| Deer | Rifle | doe | Limited, late | Sep 1, 2026 | Oct 31, 2026 | 581 |
| Deer | Archery | buck | Limited draw | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 59, 511 |
| Deer | Archery | either sex | Limited draw | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 46, 49, 50, 51 + |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | buck | Limited draw | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 46, 49, 50, 51 + |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | doe | Limited draw | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 46, 49, 51, 58 + |
| Deer | Rifle | buck | Limited draw | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | 46, 49, 50, 51 + |
| Deer | Rifle | doe | Limited draw | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | 46, 49, 58, 501 + |
| Deer | Rifle | buck | Limited draw | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | 46, 49, 50, 51 + |
| Deer | Rifle | doe | Limited draw | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | 46, 49, 58, 501 + |
| Deer | Rifle | buck | Limited draw | Nov 18, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | 46, 51, 461, 501 + |
| Deer | Rifle | doe | Limited draw | Nov 18, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | 46 |
| Pronghorn | Archery | buck | Limited draw | Aug 15, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 49, 50, 58, 500 + |
| Pronghorn | Archery | doe | Limited draw | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 49, 50, 58, 500 + |
| Pronghorn | Muzzleloader | buck | Limited draw | Sep 21, 2026 | Sep 29, 2026 | 49, 50, 59, 500 + |
| Pronghorn | Muzzleloader | doe | Limited draw | Sep 21, 2026 | Sep 29, 2026 | 49, 50, 59, 500 + |
| Pronghorn | Rifle | buck | Limited draw | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | 49, 50, 58, 59 + |
| Pronghorn | Rifle | doe | Limited draw | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | 49, 50, 58, 59 + |
Season rows and hunt codes from the 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, the 2026 Small Game and Waterfowl brochure, the Turkey brochure and the Mountain Lion brochure; property access dates still apply; checked November 5, 2026.
Which units cover Pike National Forest
The CPW unit layer puts Pike National Forest in 11 GMUs: GMU 46, GMU 49, GMU 50, GMU 51, GMU 58, GMU 59, GMU 461, GMU 500, GMU 501, GMU 511, GMU 581.
In GMU 59, GMU 511 and GMU 581 a legal bull elk must meet the antler point rule. If your rifle elk hunt code is on the CWD list, elk taken in GMU 49, GMU 50, GMU 58, GMU 500 and GMU 501 must be tested (free). Lion hunters check the quota for group 5, 8 and 11 before going out.
| GMU | Counties | Flags |
|---|---|---|
| GMU 46 | Park, Clear Creek, Jefferson | lion group 5, spring turkey OTC |
| GMU 49 | Park, Lake, Chaffee | elk CWD testing, lion group 8, spring turkey OTC |
| GMU 50 | Park | elk CWD testing, lion group 5, spring turkey OTC |
| GMU 51 | Douglas | lion group 5, spring turkey OTC |
| GMU 58 | Park, Fremont, Chaffee | elk CWD testing, lion group 8, spring turkey OTC |
| GMU 59 | El Paso, Teller, Fremont | elk antler point rule, lion group 11, spring turkey OTC |
| GMU 461 | Jefferson, Park | lion group 5, spring turkey OTC |
| GMU 500 | Park | elk CWD testing, lion group 5, spring turkey OTC |
| GMU 501 | Park, Jefferson | elk CWD testing, lion group 5, spring turkey OTC |
| GMU 511 | Teller, El Paso, Park | elk antler point rule, lion group 11, spring turkey OTC |
| GMU 581 | Park, Fremont, Teller | elk antler point rule, lion group 8, spring turkey OTC |
Read these as whole-unit numbers: the biggest 2024 total among them was 378 elk in GMU 49.
| GMU | Game | Animals taken | Hunters | Success |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMU 46 | Elk | 54 | 241 | 22% |
| GMU 46 | Deer | 147 | 376 | 39% |
| GMU 46 | Black bear | 1 | – | – |
| GMU 49 | Elk | 378 | 971 | 39% |
| GMU 49 | Deer | 343 | 729 | 47% |
| GMU 49 | Pronghorn | 2 | 24 | 7% |
| GMU 49 | Black bear | 1 | – | – |
| GMU 50 | Elk | 273 | 850 | 32% |
| GMU 50 | Deer | 74 | 220 | 34% |
| GMU 50 | Pronghorn | 17 | 56 | 31% |
| GMU 50 | Black bear | 0 | – | – |
| GMU 51 | Elk | 188 | 623 | 30% |
| GMU 51 | Deer | 330 | 559 | 59% |
| GMU 51 | Black bear | 13 | – | – |
| GMU 58 | Elk | 288 | 906 | 32% |
| GMU 58 | Deer | 228 | 495 | 46% |
| GMU 58 | Pronghorn | 44 | 88 | 51% |
| GMU 58 | Black bear | 6 | – | – |
| GMU 59 | Elk | 135 | 704 | 19% |
| GMU 59 | Deer | 54 | 166 | 32% |
| GMU 59 | Pronghorn | 3 | 6 | 52% |
| GMU 59 | Black bear | 2 | – | – |
| GMU 461 | Elk | 26 | 132 | 20% |
| GMU 461 | Deer | 128 | 277 | 46% |
GMU overlay from the CPW Big Game GMU layer; unit rules from the 2026 Big Game brochure; 2024 elk harvest by GMU, 2024 deer harvest by GMU, 2024 pronghorn harvest by GMU, 2024 bear harvest by GMU; checked November 5, 2026.
Districts and counties of Pike National Forest
3 ranger districts share the ground of Pike National Forest.
| Ranger district | Acres | Counties | GMUs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pikes Peak Ranger District | 231,123 | Teller, El Paso, Douglas | 51, 59, 511 |
| South Park Ranger District | 457,778 | Park, Teller | 49, 50, 58, 500 + |
| South Platte Ranger District | 408,365 | Park, Douglas, Jefferson | 46, 51, 461, 500 + |
| County | Forest acres |
|---|---|
| Park County | 620,035 |
| Douglas County | 141,149 |
| Teller County | 124,564 |
| Jefferson County | 101,240 |
| El Paso County | 96,193 |
| Clear Creek County | 14,086 |
From the agency source, USFS EDW Lands Area Statistics; checked November 5, 2026.
Where Pike National Forest is and how to get in
Its map point, 39.2261, -105.4192, comes from the boundary layer.
point from CPW Hunting Atlas Land Management (COMaP) Forest Service polygons inside the USFS EDW proclaimed boundary (polygon centroid of the largest part); checked November 5, 2026.
Towns and outfitters within reach of Pike National Forest
Count on Westcreek, about 15 miles out, as the first town for supplies. Census 2024 counts 83,213 people in Castle Rock, the largest nearby. The nearest CPW office is in Littleton, 31 miles away.
| Community | County | Residents | Straight line | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westcreek | Douglas | – | 15 miles | east |
| Hartsel | Park | – | 25 miles | southwest |
| Midland | Teller | – | 30 miles | southeast |
| Fairplay | Park | 755 | 31 miles | west |
| Castle Rock | Douglas | 83,213 | 32 miles | east |
Towns from places.json (Census 2024 estimates); CPW offices from the CPW Contact Us page; businesses from services.json listings; straight-line miles. Checked November 5, 2026.
Public places a short drive from Pike National Forest
The closest other public ground is Tarryall Reservoir SWA, 10 miles to the west. Within the six nearest places are 3 SWAs and 3 trust land parcels. Closed to hunting nearby: Staunton State Park (no hunting designation) and Roxborough State Park (no hunting designation).
| Nearby | Type | Acres | County | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tarryall Reservoir SWA | SWA | 711 | Park | 10 miles | west |
| Four Mile SWA | SWA | 362 | Douglas | 11 miles | east |
| Mcarthur Gulch STL | State trust land | 480 | Park | 14 miles | northwest |
| Badger Flats STL | State trust land | 3,570 | Park | 15 miles | south |
| Mud Springs STL | State trust land | 640 | Park | 18 miles | west |
| Michigan Creek SWA | SWA | 125 | Park | 18 miles | west |
Point: CPW Hunting Atlas Land Management (COMaP) Forest Service polygons inside the USFS EDW proclaimed boundary (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Closed places from lands.json closed rows. Statewide public land map.
A look at the country near Pike National Forest
Pike National Forest sunrise, sunset and shooting times
In Pike National Forest, the light goose conservation order and furbearer hunting both run to half an hour after sunset.
| Date | Why it matters | Sunrise | Sunset | Big game hours | Bird hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 15, 2026 | Pronghorn bow opener | 6:15 a.m. | 8:00 p.m. | 5:45 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. | 5:45 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. |
| Sep 2, 2026 | Archery opener | 6:32 a.m. | 7:34 p.m. | 6:02 a.m. to 8:04 p.m. | 6:02 a.m. to 7:34 p.m. |
| Sep 12, 2026 | Muzzleloader opens | 6:40 a.m. | 7:18 p.m. | 6:10 a.m. to 7:48 p.m. | 6:10 a.m. to 7:18 p.m. |
| Oct 3, 2026 | Duck season opens | 6:59 a.m. | 6:44 p.m. | 6:29 a.m. to 7:14 p.m. | 6:29 a.m. to 6:44 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Second rifle opens | 7:21 a.m. | 6:13 p.m. | 6:51 a.m. to 6:43 p.m. | 6:51 a.m. to 6:13 p.m. |
| Nov 23, 2026 | Lion season opens | 6:54 a.m. | 4:45 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 7:18 a.m. | 4:43 p.m. | 6:48 a.m. to 5:13 p.m. | 6:48 a.m. to 4:43 p.m. |
Hours rules from the 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure and the Small Game and Waterfowl brochure; sunrise and sunset worked out for this location with the NOAA solar formula (Mountain Time); checked November 5, 2026. Legal hours for every county.
Pike National Forest: the nearest public range, then clubs
Staunton State Park Archery Range is 19 miles from Pike National Forest and is the nearest public range in CPW’s finder. After the public range come the nearest clubs within 30 miles.
From the CPW Shooting Range Finder, ranges’ own pages and directory listings, checked November 5, 2026.
Pike National Forest FAQ from the agency sources
Where should I stay when hunting Pike National Forest?
Westcreek is your nearest base, 15 miles off.
CWD and antler rules for Pike National Forest?
The point restriction on bull elk covers GMU 59, GMU 511 and GMU 581. Mandatory free CWD testing for selected rifle elk hunt codes in GMU 49, GMU 50, GMU 58, GMU 500 and GMU 501.
What blaze orange rule applies on Pike National Forest?
With any firearm license for deer, elk, pronghorn, moose or bear: 500 square inches of solid orange or pink above the waist plus an orange or pink hat.
Who can answer a question about conditions on Pike National Forest?
Phone CPW Littleton Office in Littleton, (303) 791-1954 (31 miles away).
What clock times bound legal hunting on Pike National Forest?
Half an hour either side of the sun for big game, which on November 7, 2026 means 6:06 a.m. to 5:27 p.m. in Park County.
Can I set out bait, salt or grain on Pike National Forest?
No bait for big game, turkey, small game or birds; normal agricultural salt and mineral blocks are the only exception for big game.
What license or pass gets me onto Pike National Forest?
No federal hunting permit: a Colorado license for the GMU, species and season is what you need.
Where do I confirm the rules for Pike National Forest?
Check the agency page run by USDA Forest Service.
Which county lines does Pike National Forest cross?
Park County, Douglas County, Teller County, Jefferson County, El Paso County and Clear Creek County; the county page lists the nearby ground.
How much room is there to roam on Pike National Forest?
Listed size: 1,097,266 acres.
Which game does Pike National Forest hold?
Deer, pronghorn and elk, by the agency list.
Which GMUs does Pike National Forest overlap?
Units on the CPW layer: GMU 46, GMU 49, GMU 50, GMU 51, GMU 58, GMU 59, GMU 461, GMU 500 and 3 more.
Do I need to draw for elk on Pike National Forest?
Buy over the counter for 4 rows (archery, OTC, residents is one); the other elk hunts need the April draw.
Other photos on this page: Don Owens (CC BY 2.0); Hogs555 (CC BY-SA 3.0); Don Owens (CC BY 2.0).