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Home › Colorado › Public land › San Isabel National Forest

Hunting ground · National forest

San Isabel National Forest, a guide for Colorado hunters

National forest in Chaffee County and 9 more counties covering 1,108,474 acres.

Get driving directionsAll Chaffee County spots

Pictured above: San Isabel National Forest itself.

Photo: Michael Kwok (CC BY 2.0)

Getting to San Isabel National Forest

Get driving directionsParking on Google MapsTrailheads on Google Maps

Parking, trailheads and gates near San Isabel National Forest

  • Wagon Loop TrailTrailhead · 0.0 mi from the centreDirections
  • Browns Creek TrailheadParking · 0.2 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 3.6 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 3.8 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 3.9 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 3.9 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 4.3 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 4.4 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 4.4 mi from the centreDirections
  • Angel Falls Chalk CliffsParking · 4.9 mi from the centreDirections
  • Horse StablesParking · 4.9 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 5.1 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.

Facts on file for San Isabel National Forest

By the count in the USFS EDW Lands Area Statistics, there are 1,108,474 acres at San Isabel National Forest. Of 12 national forests listed here, San Isabel National Forest ranks 6th for size.

On the game list: Deer, Pronghorn, Elk.

1,108,474Acres
1,087,787GIS acres
10Counties
37, 48, 49 +GMUs
SoutheastCPW region
13, 11, 1CPW area

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

Nearby

Places to hunt and shoot around San Isabel National Forest

Droney Gulch State Wildlife Area

Public land · 6 mi from San Isabel National Forest

Directions
Salida Ranger District, San Isabel NF

Public land · 6 mi from San Isabel National Forest

Directions
Chaffee County

County · 9 mi from San Isabel National Forest

Directions
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

Public land · 16 mi from San Isabel National Forest

Directions
Gunnison Ranger District, Gunnison NF, Uncompahgre NF

Public land · 16 mi from San Isabel National Forest

Directions
Heckendorf State Wildlife Area

Public land · 16 mi from San Isabel National Forest

Directions

San Isabel National Forest game management units

San Isabel National Forest lies in 15 game management units: GMU 37, GMU 48, GMU 49, GMU 56, GMU 57, GMU 58, GMU 69, GMU 84, GMU 85, GMU 86, GMU 481, GMU 561, GMU 691, GMU 851 and 1 more.

Point restriction for bulls: GMU 37, GMU 85, GMU 86, GMU 691, GMU 851 and GMU 861. Selected rifle elk hunt codes in GMU 37, GMU 49, GMU 57 and GMU 58 require a free CWD test of harvested elk. Mountain lion harvest-limit groups 3, 8 and 15 cover these units.

GMUIn countiesFlags
GMU 37Summit, Grand, Lakeelk antler point rule, elk CWD testing, lion group 3
GMU 48Lake, Chaffeelion group 8, spring turkey OTC
GMU 49Park, Lake, Chaffeeelk CWD testing, lion group 8, spring turkey OTC
GMU 56Chaffeelion group 8, spring turkey OTC
GMU 57Chaffee, Fremont, Parkelk CWD testing, lion group 8, spring turkey OTC
GMU 58Park, Fremont, Chaffeeelk CWD testing, lion group 8, spring turkey OTC
GMU 69Fremont, Custerlion group 15, spring turkey OTC
GMU 84Pueblo, Huerfano, Custerlion group 15, spring turkey OTC
GMU 85Huerfano, Las Animas, Costillaelk antler point rule, lion group 15, spring turkey OTC
GMU 86Custer, Fremont, Chaffeeelk antler point rule, lion group 15, spring turkey OTC
GMU 481Chaffeelion group 8, spring turkey OTC
GMU 561Chaffee, Saguachelion group 8, spring turkey OTC
GMU 691Fremont, Custerelk antler point rule, lion group 15, spring turkey OTC
GMU 851Las Animas, Costillaelk antler point rule, lion group 15, spring turkey OTC
GMU 861Huerfanoelk antler point rule, lion group 15, spring turkey OTC

The 2024 GMU harvest tables below are unit totals, not counts for San Isabel National Forest; GMU 84 had the largest figure, 529 deer.

UnitSpeciesHarvestHuntersPct success
GMU 37Elk2001,95510%
GMU 37Deer11233833%
GMU 37Pronghorn74016%
GMU 37Black bear8––
GMU 48Elk9333927%
GMU 48Deer5418729%
GMU 48Pronghorn42915%
GMU 48Black bear4––
GMU 49Elk37897139%
GMU 49Deer34372947%
GMU 49Pronghorn2247%
GMU 49Black bear1––
GMU 56Elk9942124%
GMU 56Deer11134432%
GMU 56Pronghorn050%
GMU 56Black bear1––
GMU 57Elk16348334%
GMU 57Deer14830349%
GMU 57Pronghorn143539%
GMU 58Elk28890632%
GMU 58Deer22849546%
GMU 58Pronghorn448851%
GMU 58Black bear6––
GMU 69Elk7729326%

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.

Before you walk onto San Isabel National Forest

San Isabel National Forest needs no Forest Service hunting permit; a Colorado license for the GMU and season is what counts. Forest rule 261.10(d): 150 yards from any occupied site, no shooting on or across roads or water. Motor Vehicle Use Maps show which roads and trails are open to vehicles.

From the forest hunting page: 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.

Big game dates that apply on San Isabel National Forest

Big game hunters on San Isabel National Forest can choose from 50 dated windows, each tied to a hunt code. Over-the-counter rows (4) cover elk; the rest need a drawn or leftover license. 40 private-land-only, Ranching for Wildlife or game damage rows for the same units are left out because they do not apply on public ground. Only the listed species are kept; 24 other big game rows are dropped.

AnimalMethodSexLicenseStartEndValid in
ElkRiflecowLimited drawSep 1, 2026Jan 31, 202757, 58
ElkArcherycowLimited, nonresidentSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202685, 86, 691, 851 +
ElkArcherycowOTC, residentsSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202685, 86, 691, 851 +
ElkArcheryeither sexLimited drawSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202648, 49, 56, 57 +
ElkArcheryeither sexLimited, nonresidentSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202637, 85, 86, 691 +
ElkArcheryeither sexOTC, residentsSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202637, 85, 86, 691 +
ElkMuzzleloaderbullLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 202648, 49, 56, 57 +
ElkMuzzleloadercowLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 202637, 48, 49, 56 +
ElkMuzzleloadereither sexLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 202637, 85, 86, 691 +
ElkRiflebullLimited drawOct 14, 2026Oct 18, 202648, 49, 56, 57 +
ElkRiflecowLimited drawOct 14, 2026Oct 18, 202637, 57, 58
ElkRifleeither sexLimited drawOct 14, 2026Oct 18, 202637, 85, 86, 691 +
ElkRiflebullLimited drawOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 202648, 49, 56, 57 +
ElkRiflecowLimited drawOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 202637, 48, 49, 56 +
ElkRiflecowLimited, splitOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 202649
ElkRifleeither sexLimited, youthOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 2026851
ElkSecond riflebullOTCOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 202637, 85, 86, 691 +
ElkRiflebullLimited drawNov 7, 2026Nov 15, 202648, 49, 56, 57 +
ElkRiflecowLimited drawNov 7, 2026Nov 15, 202637, 48, 49, 56 +
ElkRiflecowLimited, splitNov 7, 2026Nov 15, 202649
ElkRifleeither sexLimited, youthNov 7, 2026Nov 15, 2026851
ElkThird riflebullOTCNov 7, 2026Nov 15, 202637, 85, 86, 691 +
ElkRiflebullLimited drawNov 18, 2026Nov 22, 202648, 49, 56, 57 +
ElkRiflecowLimited drawNov 18, 2026Nov 22, 202637, 48, 49, 56 +
ElkRiflecowLimited, splitNov 18, 2026Nov 22, 202649
ElkRifleeither sexLimited drawNov 18, 2026Nov 22, 202637, 85, 86, 691 +
ElkRiflecowLimited, lateNov 28, 2026Dec 6, 2026851
ElkRiflecowLimited, lateDec 12, 2026Dec 20, 2026851
ElkRiflecowLimited, lateDec 15, 2026Dec 31, 202685, 851
ElkRiflecowLimited, lateDec 26, 2026Jan 3, 2027851
DeerRifledoeLimited, lateSep 1, 2026Oct 31, 202656, 57, 69
DeerArcherybuckLimited drawSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202648, 56, 85, 481 +
DeerArcheryeither sexLimited drawSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202637, 49, 57, 58 +
DeerMuzzleloaderbuckLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 202637, 48, 49, 56 +
DeerMuzzleloaderdoeLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 202637, 48, 49, 56 +
DeerRiflebuckLimited, earlySep 12, 2026Sep 20, 202648, 56, 86, 481 +
DeerRiflebuckLimited drawOct 10, 2026Oct 14, 2026851
DeerRiflebuckLimited drawOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 202637, 48, 49, 56 +
DeerRifledoeLimited drawOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 202637, 49, 57, 58
DeerRiflebuckLimited drawNov 7, 2026Nov 15, 202637, 48, 49, 56 +
DeerRifledoeLimited drawNov 7, 2026Nov 15, 202637, 49, 57, 58
DeerRiflebuckLimited drawNov 18, 2026Nov 22, 202637, 69, 84, 85 +
DeerRiflebuckLimited, lateDec 1, 2026Dec 14, 202669, 84, 86, 691 +
DeerRifledoeLimited, lateDec 1, 2026Dec 14, 202669, 84, 85, 86 +
PronghornArcherybuckLimited drawAug 15, 2026Sep 20, 202637, 48, 49, 56 +
PronghornArcherydoeLimited drawSep 1, 2026Sep 20, 202637, 48, 49, 56 +
PronghornMuzzleloaderbuckLimited drawSep 21, 2026Sep 29, 202637, 48, 49, 56 +
PronghornMuzzleloaderdoeLimited drawSep 21, 2026Sep 29, 202637, 48, 49, 56 +
PronghornRiflebuckLimited drawOct 3, 2026Oct 11, 202637, 48, 49, 56 +
PronghornRifledoeLimited drawOct 3, 2026Oct 11, 202637, 48, 49, 56 +

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.

What lies near San Isabel National Forest on the map

The list below starts with Sand Creek Central STL, 5 miles away to the southeast. Six neighbours, by kind: 5 trust land parcels and 1 SWA. Off limits to hunting close by: Wright's Lake State Wildlife Area (CPW lists no hunting), Chaffee County Shooting Range State Wildlife Area (CPW lists no hunting) and Love Meadow Watchable Wildlife Area (CPW lists no hunting).

Public landKindAcresCountyDistanceDirection
Sand Creek Central STLState trust land597Chaffee5 milessoutheast
Droney Gulch SWASWA2,949Chaffee6 milessoutheast
Maxwell Park STLState trust land4,901Chaffee7 milesnorth
Railroad Gulch STLState trust land369Chaffee8 mileseast
Aspen Ridge STLState trust land542Chaffee10 mileseast
Burns Canyon STLState trust land600Chaffee10 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.

Finding San Isabel National Forest on the ground

The pin sits at 38.6697, -106.1614.

Route to the pin

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.

Where the acres of San Isabel National Forest lie

San Isabel National Forest is split into 3 ranger districts with their own pages.

DistrictAcresCountiesUnits
Leadville Ranger District280,143Lake, Chaffee37, 48, 49, 481
Salida Ranger District444,686Chaffee, Fremont, Saguache49, 56, 57, 58 +
San Carlos Ranger District383,645Custer, Huerfano, Pueblo69, 84, 85, 86 +
CountyAcres (EDW)
Chaffee County448,254
Lake County161,168
Custer County161,009
Huerfano County141,910
Fremont County98,631
Pueblo County32,610
Saguache County23,923
Las Animas County22,913
Park County17,671
Costilla County386

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

Legal light on San Isabel National Forest, opener by opener

The sun rises about twenty minutes later at Grand Junction than at Burlington, so use the times worked out for San Isabel National Forest.

DateSeason pointSunriseSunsetBig gameBirds and small game
Aug 15, 2026Pronghorn bow opener6:18 a.m.8:02 p.m.5:48 a.m. to 8:32 p.m.5:48 a.m. to 8:02 p.m.
Sep 2, 2026Archery opener6:34 a.m.7:36 p.m.6:04 a.m. to 8:06 p.m.6:04 a.m. to 7:36 p.m.
Sep 12, 2026Muzzleloader opens6:43 a.m.7:20 p.m.6:13 a.m. to 7:50 p.m.6:13 a.m. to 7:20 p.m.
Oct 3, 2026Duck season opens7:01 a.m.6:47 p.m.6:31 a.m. to 7:17 p.m.6:31 a.m. to 6:47 p.m.
Oct 24, 2026Second rifle opens7:22 a.m.6:16 p.m.6:52 a.m. to 6:46 p.m.6:52 a.m. to 6:16 p.m.
Nov 23, 2026Lion season opens6:56 a.m.4:48 p.m.6:26 a.m. to 5:18 p.m.6:26 a.m. to 4:48 p.m.
Dec 21, 2026Shortest day7:19 a.m.4:47 p.m.6:49 a.m. to 5:17 p.m.6:49 a.m. to 4:47 p.m.

Furbearer night rules are in the CPW small game brochure.

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.

Where to fuel up and buy ice near San Isabel National Forest

Gas, groceries and a motel bed: Salida is the nearest, 13 miles away. Closest CPW office: Salida, 13 miles.

Nearest townsCountyPopulationMilesHeading
SalidaChaffee6,00713 milessoutheast
HartselPark–31 milesnortheast
FairplayPark75539 milesnorth
SaguacheSaguache53040 milessouth
LeadvilleLake2,62441 milesnorth
CPW Salida Office

CPW office · Salida, Chaffee County · about 13 mi away

(719) 530-5520See it mappedGo to site
Real Wilderness Taxidermy

taxidermy · Salida, Chaffee County · about 11 mi away

(719) 530-8989See it mappedGo to site
Western Recreation Ind

sporting goods · Poncha Springs, Chaffee County · about 12 mi away

(719) 539-1295See it mapped
Arkansas River Guns

sporting goods · Salida, Chaffee County · about 12 mi away

(719) 539-4133See it mapped
Wilderness Country Taxidermy

taxidermy · Buena Vista, Chaffee County · about 12 mi away

(719) 966-5199See it mappedGo to site
Crippen's Processing

meat processing · Lake George, Park County · about 48 mi away

(719) 748-5450See it mappedGo to 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.

San Isabel National Forest country in pictures

Snow on Mount Princeton above forested foothills, San Isabel National Forest
Snow on Mount Princeton above forested foothills, San Isabel National Forest
Bear Lake below forested slopes southwest of Cuchara, San Isabel National Forest
Bear Lake below forested slopes southwest of Cuchara, San Isabel National Forest
Green alpine valley and peaks on the way up Mount Hope, San Isabel National Forest
Green alpine valley and peaks on the way up Mount Hope, San Isabel National Forest

San Isabel National Forest: the nearest public range, then clubs

Chaffee County Shooting Range is 4 miles from San Isabel National Forest and is the nearest public range in CPW’s finder. After the public range come the nearest clubs within 30 miles.

Chaffee County Shooting Range
CPW range

Salida, Chaffee County · 4 mi

On site: rifle, handgun, rimfire, shotgun, archery

Open to the public · cpw.state.co.us, checked Nov 4, 2026

Buena Vista Sportsman's Club
gun club

Buena Vista, Chaffee County · 10 mi

On site: handgun, rifle, trap, shotgun

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

Salida Gunshop
outdoor range

Salida, Chaffee County · 13 mi

Access not stated · gunranges.org, checked Nov 4, 2026

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

Backup spots for San Isabel National Forest

National forest

Pike National Forest

1,097,266 acres, 55 mi

National forest

White River National Forest

2,289,637 acres, 60 mi

National forest

Gunnison National Forest

1,666,609 acres, 61 mi

National forest

Rio Grande National Forest

1,839,118 acres, 72 mi

National forestsAll public landBLM land

Quick answers about San Isabel National Forest

How early may a rifle hunter shoot on San Isabel National Forest?

For deer and elk, 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 after sunset; around Chaffee County on November 7, 2026 about 6:08 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Is it legal to hunt over bait on San Isabel National Forest?

No. It is illegal to hunt big game, turkey, small game or migratory birds over bait in Colorado, whoever placed it.

What documents must I carry on San Isabel National Forest?

Your Colorado license for the unit and season. No access fee is listed for hunting.

Which official page should I bookmark for San Isabel National Forest?

USDA Forest Service publishes it: official page.

Which county lines does San Isabel National Forest cross?

Chaffee County, Lake County, Custer County, Huerfano County, Fremont County, Pueblo County and 4 more; the county page lists the nearby ground.

How many acres are listed for San Isabel National Forest in the agency count?

1,108,474 acres on the agency count.

Which seasons matter on San Isabel National Forest?

Agency sources name deer, pronghorn and elk.

Which unit should my license be for on San Isabel National Forest?

GMU 37, GMU 48, GMU 49, GMU 56, GMU 57, GMU 58, GMU 69, GMU 84 and 7 more; GMU lines follow roads and ridges, so check the map near a line.

Are there antler point restrictions on San Isabel National Forest?

Bulls must meet the antler point rule in GMU 37, GMU 85, GMU 86, GMU 691, GMU 851 and 1 more. If your rifle elk code is selected, test the elk (free) when it comes from GMU 37, GMU 49, GMU 57 and GMU 58.

Can I buy an elk license over the counter for San Isabel National Forest?

Only for some hunts. 4 OTC elk rows reach these GMUs, archery among them (OTC, residents).

Who looks after wildlife on San Isabel National Forest?

Reach CPW Salida Office in Salida, (719) 530-5520 (13 miles away).

What is the closest town with services to San Isabel National Forest?

The closest town with a page here is Salida (13 miles).

Does the orange rule apply on San Isabel National Forest?

Required for firearm big game; mesh is legal, camouflage orange is not.

San Isabel National Forest: the final check

Saw poaching on San Isabel National Forest? CPW's Turn In Poachers program rewards reports that lead to charges with licenses and preference points.

All places mappedColorado land indexChaffee CountyNational forestsOfficial site

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: David Ackerman (CC BY 2.0); Jeffrey Beall (CC BY 4.0); Jeremiah LaRocco (CC BY-SA 2.0).