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Home › Colorado › Public land › Roosevelt National Forest

Colorado national forest · hunting

Roosevelt National Forest: where and how to hunt

National forest in Larimer County and 3 more counties; 814,417 acres.

Get driving directionsAll Larimer County spots

Photo made on Roosevelt National Forest.

Photo: lojjic (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Getting to Roosevelt National Forest

Get driving directionsParking on Google MapsTrailheads on Google Maps

Parking, trailheads and gates near Roosevelt National Forest

  • Browns Lake TrailheadParking · 2.3 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 2.8 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 3.3 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 4.7 mi from the centreDirections
  • Roaring Creek TrailheadParking · 4.8 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 5.3 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 6.1 mi from the centreDirections
  • Zimmerman TrailheadParking · 6.4 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 6.5 mi from the centreDirections
  • Hourglass TrailheadParking · 6.7 mi from the centreDirections

Parking, trailhead and gate locations come from OpenStreetMap contributors. Roads into public land can be gated or seasonal; check with the managing agency before you go.

Inside the Roosevelt National Forest listing

814,417 acres is the figure the USFS EDW Lands Area Statistics gives for Roosevelt National Forest. Rank by area: 9th of the 12 national forests we cover.

Nothing on the agency page limits species at Roosevelt National Forest; state seasons for the units apply.

814,417Acres
821,871GIS acres
4Counties
7, 8, 19 +GMUs
NortheastCPW region
4, 2, 1CPW area

From the agency page (USDA Forest Service); retrieved 2026-11-04, checked November 5, 2026.

Nearby

Places to hunt and shoot around Roosevelt National Forest

Canyon Lakes Ranger District, Roosevelt NF

Public land · 1 mi from Roosevelt National Forest

Directions
Bliss State Wildlife Area

Public land · 5 mi from Roosevelt National Forest

Directions
Larimer County

County · 9 mi from Roosevelt National Forest

Directions
Parvin Lake State Wildlife Area

Public land · 10 mi from Roosevelt National Forest

Directions
Cherokee State Wildlife Area (All units)

Public land · 18 mi from Roosevelt National Forest

Directions
State Forest State Park

Public land · 18 mi from Roosevelt National Forest

Directions

Access rules on Roosevelt National Forest

The Forest Service runs the land, CPW runs the hunting: Colorado licenses and seasons apply on Roosevelt National Forest. Keep 150 yards from homes, campsites and developed recreation sites before shooting, and never shoot across a forest road or water (36 CFR 261.10(d)). Pick up the Motor Vehicle Use Map; routes not on it are closed to vehicles.

USFS hunting and shooting page: There are many hunting and recreational sport shooting opportunities across the Arapaho, Roosevelt and Pawnee.

Although we manage a great deal of wildlife habitat, Colorado Parks and Wildlife manages hunting. Be sure to check their website for information on licenses and seasons.

Be sure to check out our recreational sport shooting page for details on safety, rules, regulations and restrictions.

The Baker Draw Designated Shooting Area is located near the intersections of Weld County Roads 96 and 63. It has dirt berms providing 25-, 50- and 100-yard shooting opportunities. The site includes a…

From the agency source; checked November 5, 2026.

Route and map files for Roosevelt National Forest

Mapped centre: 40.6698, -105.6635.

Open in Google Maps

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.

Unit map facts for Roosevelt National Forest

Check the license against the unit; Roosevelt National Forest falls in 7 GMUs: GMU 7, GMU 8, GMU 19, GMU 20, GMU 29, GMU 38, GMU 191.

Bull elk hunters in GMU 7, GMU 8, GMU 19, GMU 38 and GMU 191 must count points before shooting. CWD sampling is required for some rifle elk hunt codes in GMU 7, GMU 8, GMU 19, GMU 20 and GMU 191. The lion season closes when group 4 reaches its limit.

GMUCoversNotes
GMU 7Larimerelk antler point rule, elk CWD testing, lion group 4
GMU 8Larimerelk antler point rule, elk CWD testing, lion group 4
GMU 19Larimerelk antler point rule, elk CWD testing, lion group 4
GMU 20Larimer, Boulder, Weldelk CWD testing, lion group 4, spring turkey OTC
GMU 29Boulder, Broomfield, Weldlion group 4, spring turkey OTC
GMU 38Jefferson, Gilpin, Clear Creekelk antler point rule, lion group 4, spring turkey OTC
GMU 191Larimerelk antler point rule, elk CWD testing, lion group 4

There is no property-level harvest figure for Roosevelt National Forest; GMU 20 topped the 2024 unit tables with 811 deer.

UnitGame2024 harvestHuntersSuccess
GMU 7Elk1491,6309%
GMU 7Deer1171,00612%
GMU 7Pronghorn3814826%
GMU 7Black bear2––
GMU 8Elk2082,2199%
GMU 8Deer2411,33518%
GMU 8Pronghorn349636%
GMU 8Black bear1––
GMU 19Elk1191,14010%
GMU 19Deer3331,13829%
GMU 19Pronghorn020%
GMU 19Black bear7––
GMU 20Elk35587541%
GMU 20Deer8111,99441%
GMU 20Black bear10––
GMU 29Elk7024928%
GMU 29Deer19182923%
GMU 29Black bear1––
GMU 38Elk881,0968%
GMU 38Deer2751,12924%
GMU 38Black bear2––
GMU 191Elk226014%
GMU 191Deer5941,38943%
GMU 191Pronghorn216036%

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.

Roosevelt National Forest: which hunts are open when

60 big game season rows from the 2026 brochures are valid in the units of Roosevelt National Forest. No draw is needed for the elk and wild turkey OTC rows. Not listed: 6 private-only or RFW rows. The spring gobbler line is 2026; check CPW for 2027.

SpeciesMethodSexLicenseOpensClosesUnits here
ElkRiflecowLimited, lateAug 15, 2026Jan 31, 202720
ElkRiflecowLimited, lateSep 1, 2026Jan 31, 202738
ElkArcherybullLimited drawSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202620
ElkArcherycowLimited drawSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202620
ElkArcherycowLimited, nonresidentSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202638
ElkArcherycowOTC, residentsSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202638
ElkArcheryeither sexLimited drawSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 20267, 8, 19, 20 +
ElkArcheryeither sexLimited, nonresidentSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202638
ElkArcheryeither sexOTC, residentsSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202638
ElkMuzzleloaderbullLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 20267, 8, 19, 20 +
ElkMuzzleloadercowLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 20267, 8, 19, 20 +
ElkRiflebullLimited drawOct 14, 2026Oct 18, 20267, 8, 19, 20 +
ElkRiflecowLimited drawOct 14, 2026Oct 18, 202629, 38
ElkRiflebullLimited drawOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 20267, 8, 19, 20 +
ElkRiflecowLimited drawOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 20267, 8, 19, 20 +
ElkSecond riflebullOTCOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 202638
ElkRiflebullLimited drawNov 7, 2026Nov 15, 20267, 8, 19, 20 +
ElkRiflecowLimited drawNov 7, 2026Nov 15, 20267, 8, 19, 20 +
ElkThird riflebullOTCNov 7, 2026Nov 15, 202638
ElkRiflebullLimited drawNov 18, 2026Nov 22, 20267, 8, 19, 20 +
ElkRiflecowLimited drawNov 18, 2026Nov 22, 20267, 8, 19, 20 +
ElkRiflecowLimited, lateNov 28, 2026Dec 9, 20267, 8, 19, 191
ElkRiflecowLimited, lateDec 1, 2026Jan 31, 202738
ElkRiflebullLimited, lateDec 5, 2026Dec 16, 202620
ElkRiflecowLimited, lateDec 5, 2026Dec 16, 202620
ElkRiflebullLimited, lateJan 9, 2027Jan 20, 202720
DeerArcheryeither sexLimited drawSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 20267, 8, 19, 20 +
DeerRiflebuckLimited, earlySep 5, 2026Sep 13, 20267
DeerMuzzleloaderbuckLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 20267, 8, 19, 20 +
DeerMuzzleloaderdoeLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 20267, 8, 19, 20 +
DeerRiflebuckLimited drawOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 20267, 8, 19, 20 +
DeerRifledoeLimited drawOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 20267, 8, 19, 29 +
DeerRiflebuckLimited drawNov 7, 2026Nov 15, 20267, 8, 19, 20 +
DeerRifledoeLimited drawNov 7, 2026Nov 15, 20267, 8, 19, 29 +
DeerRiflebuckLimited drawNov 18, 2026Nov 22, 20267, 8, 19, 20 +
DeerRifledoeLimited drawNov 18, 2026Nov 22, 202629, 38
DeerRifledoeLimited, lateNov 28, 2026Dec 13, 202619, 191
DeerRifledoeLimited, lateDec 1, 2026Jan 31, 202738
DeerRifleeither sexLimited, lateDec 1, 2026Jan 31, 202738
PronghornMuzzleloaderbuckLimited drawSep 21, 2026Sep 29, 20267, 8, 191
PronghornMuzzleloaderdoeLimited drawSep 21, 2026Sep 29, 20267, 8, 191
PronghornRiflebuckLimited drawOct 3, 2026Oct 11, 20267, 8
PronghornRifledoeLimited drawOct 3, 2026Oct 11, 20267, 8
PronghornRifledoeLimited, lateNov 1, 2026Dec 31, 2026191
MooseArcherycowLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 30, 20267, 8, 19, 20 +
MooseArcherycowLimited, splitSep 12, 2026Sep 30, 20267, 38
MooseMuzzleloadercowLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 20267, 8, 19, 20 +
MooseMuzzleloadercowLimited, splitSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 20267, 38
MooseRiflecowLimited drawOct 1, 2026Oct 14, 20267, 8, 19, 20 +
MooseRiflecowLimited, splitOct 1, 2026Oct 14, 20267
MooseSeason choicebullLimited drawOct 1, 2026Oct 14, 202619, 20, 38
MooseSeason choicebullLimited, splitOct 1, 2026Oct 14, 20267
MooseRiflecowLimited, lateOct 14, 2026Nov 22, 202638
Black bearArcheryeither sexLimited drawSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 20267, 8, 19, 20 +
Black bearRifleeither sexLimited drawSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 20267, 8, 19, 20 +
Black bearMuzzleloadereither sexLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 20267, 8, 19, 20 +
Black bearRifleeither sexLimited drawOct 14, 2026Nov 22, 20267, 8, 19, 20 +
Mountain lionAll methods–Group harvest limitNov 23, 2026Mar 31, 20277, 8, 19, 20 +
Wild turkeySpring–OTCApr 11, 2026May 31, 20267, 8, 19, 20 +
Wild turkeyFall–OTCSep 1, 2026Oct 4, 20267, 8, 19, 20 +

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.

How Roosevelt National Forest divides up

District pages for Roosevelt National Forest: 2 in all.

DistrictAcresIn countiesGMUs
Boulder Ranger District163,820Boulder, Gilpin, Jefferson20, 29, 38
Canyon Lakes Ranger District650,597Larimer, Boulder7, 8, 19, 20 +
CountyFederal acres
Larimer County647,325
Boulder County137,714
Gilpin County29,213
Jefferson County165

From the agency source, USFS EDW Lands Area Statistics; checked November 5, 2026.

Other public ground within reach of Roosevelt National Forest

Head 3 miles northeast and you reach Arrowhead STL. Around it on the map: 4 SWAs and 2 trust land parcels. Within 25 miles but not open to hunters: Bellaire Lake State Wildlife Area (CPW lists no hunting), North Fork State Wildlife Area (CPW lists no hunting) and Storm Mountain Access Road (CPW lists no hunting).

PlaceTypeAcresCountyStraight lineWhich way
Arrowhead STLState trust land200Larimer3 milesnortheast
Bliss SWASWA352Larimer5 milesnorthwest
Manhattan Creek STLState trust land320Larimer7 milesnortheast
Parvin Lake SWASWA180Larimer10 milesnortheast
West Lake SWA (Larimer County)SWA38Larimer10 milesnortheast
Dowdy Lake SWASWA120Larimer10 milesnortheast

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.

Stores, processors and towns for Roosevelt National Forest

From the Roosevelt National Forest point, Red Feather Lakes sits 11 miles away. Fort Collins, 33 miles out, is larger, with 170,924 people in 2024. For licenses in person, the Fort Collins CPW office is 31 miles off.

PlaceCountyPopulationDistanceDirection
Red Feather LakesLarimer–11 milesnortheast
Fort CollinsLarimer170,92433 mileseast
WaldenJackson55733 mileswest
LovelandLarimer81,10236 milessoutheast
WindsorWeld41,73441 mileseast
CPW Fort Collins Office

CPW office · Fort Collins, Larimer County · about 31 mi away

(970) 472-4300Trip directionsVisit the shop site
All Game Taxidermy

taxidermy · Bellvue, Larimer County · about 20 mi away

(970) 482-6903Trip directions
Outdoor World

sporting goods · Estes Park, Larimer County · about 22 mi away

(970) 586-2114Trip directionsVisit the shop site
Schuetzen Gun Co

sporting goods · Loveland, Larimer County · about 24 mi away

(970) 635-2409Trip directions
Reliable Big Game Processing

meat processing · Fort Collins, Larimer County · about 30 mi away

(970) 224-4881Trip directions
Kremmling Wild Game

meat processing · Kremmling, Grand County · about 52 mi away

(970) 724-3759Trip directionsVisit the shop site

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.

Shooting-light table for Roosevelt National Forest

The CPW brochures print Denver sunrise and sunset tables with town offsets; the times for Roosevelt National Forest here are worked out with the NOAA solar formula for its own location.

DateOpenerSunriseSunsetElk windowDuck window
Aug 15, 2026Pronghorn bow opener6:12 a.m.8:02 p.m.5:42 a.m. to 8:32 p.m.5:42 a.m. to 8:02 p.m.
Sep 2, 2026Archery opener6:29 a.m.7:35 p.m.5:59 a.m. to 8:05 p.m.5:59 a.m. to 7:35 p.m.
Sep 12, 2026Muzzleloader opens6:39 a.m.7:18 p.m.6:09 a.m. to 7:48 p.m.6:09 a.m. to 7:18 p.m.
Oct 17, 2026Duck season opens7:14 a.m.6:20 p.m.6:44 a.m. to 6:50 p.m.6:44 a.m. to 6:20 p.m.
Nov 23, 2026Lion season opens6:57 a.m.4:40 p.m.6:27 a.m. to 5:10 p.m.6:27 a.m. to 4:40 p.m.
Dec 21, 2026Shortest day7:22 a.m.4:38 p.m.6:52 a.m. to 5:08 p.m.6:52 a.m. to 4:38 p.m.

Lion hunting hours match big game.

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.

What the region around Roosevelt National Forest looks like

Forested ridges rolling toward distant peaks from Triangle Mountain, Roosevelt National Forest
Forested ridges rolling toward distant peaks from Triangle Mountain, Roosevelt National Forest
Foothill valley with golden aspens and pine-covered hills in fall, Roosevelt National Forest
Foothill valley with golden aspens and pine-covered hills in fall, Roosevelt National Forest
Cache la Poudre River flowing through a pine canyon near Greyrock, Roosevelt National Forest
Cache la Poudre River flowing through a pine canyon near Greyrock, Roosevelt National Forest

Roosevelt National Forest hunters: public range plus clubs

For a no-dues line, Roosevelt National Forest hunters head 50 miles to Byers Canyon Shooting Range. After the public range come the nearest clubs within 30 miles.

Byers Canyon Shooting Range
CPW range

Hot Sulphur Springs, Grand County · 50 mi

Lines: rifle, rimfire, shotgun, handgun, archery

License or SWA pass · cpw.state.co.us, checked Nov 4, 2026

Estes Park Gun &
Archery Club
gun club

Estes Park, Larimer County · 22 mi

Lines: trap, rifle, handgun, rimfire, archery

Members only · boisegunclub.com, checked Nov 4, 2026

From the CPW Shooting Range Finder, ranges’ own pages and directory listings, checked November 5, 2026.

Similar hunting places near Roosevelt National Forest

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720,567 acres, 58 mi

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1,125,628 acres, 61 mi

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1,097,266 acres, 101 mi

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National forestsAccess programsState wildlife areas

Roosevelt National Forest in brief, question by question

What must I wear on Roosevelt National Forest during rifle season?

At least 500 square inches of solid orange or pink above the waist and a hat; archers hunting during rifle seasons wear it too.

Whom should I phone with questions about Roosevelt National Forest?

CPW Fort Collins Office in Fort Collins, (970) 472-4300 (31 miles away).

When must I stop shooting on Roosevelt National Forest each evening?

6:08 a.m. to 5:23 p.m. for big game on November 7, 2026 (Larimer County, NOAA solar formula). See the table above for other dates.

May I use food lures for bear on Roosevelt National Forest?

No. Food-scented sticks are illegal for bear, and knowingly luring bears with food breaks C.R.S. 33-6-131.

Which pass must I carry on Roosevelt National Forest?

Colorado licenses and seasons apply, and CPW sells them; there is no separate federal hunting pass.

Where can I read the source for Roosevelt National Forest?

Read the official source before each trip.

What counties does Roosevelt National Forest reach into?

Inside Larimer County, Boulder County, Gilpin County and Jefferson County.

What size is Roosevelt National Forest on the agency count?

The USFS EDW Lands Area Statistics lists 814,417 acres.

Does Roosevelt National Forest limit species?

Go by the season tables on this page; no separate list exists.

Which GMU numbers does Roosevelt National Forest fall in?

The ground lies in GMU 7, GMU 8, GMU 19, GMU 20, GMU 29, GMU 38 and GMU 191, and a big game license must be valid for the unit.

Do elk point rules or CWD testing apply on Roosevelt National Forest?

Elk point rules: GMU 7, GMU 8, GMU 19, GMU 38 and GMU 191. CWD heads must be submitted from selected rifle elk hunt codes in GMU 7, GMU 8, GMU 19, GMU 20 and GMU 191, at no charge.

How do I get an elk tag for Roosevelt National Forest?

Yes: 4 over-the-counter elk rows are valid in these units, for example archery (OTC, residents).

Which town makes the best base for Roosevelt National Forest?

Red Feather Lakes, about 11 miles away in a straight line.

Roosevelt National Forest: double-check list

Snow and mud close roads in Colorado without much notice; check access to Roosevelt National Forest before the drive.

Map of every placePublic land hubLarimer CountyNational forestsAgency page

Sources: source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4 · source 5 · source 6; seasons from the 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure. Checked November 5, 2026.

Other photos on this page: Christine Warner-Morin (CC BY 2.0); mark byzewski (CC BY 2.0); Charles Willgren (CC BY 2.0).