Located nearly directly east of Denver, Eagle River Recreation Management Area is a picturesque location for solo travelers and families. Whether you’re hiking through the mountains or traveling the United States in a rental RV, this is a must-see location. Eagle River Recreation Management Area is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. It is nestled in between several other parks and is home to many wild animals such as horses, bighorn sheep, and black bears. Eagle River Recreation Management Area is best known for a wide variety of outdoor activities that just about anyone can enjoy.
If you’re an adrenaline junkie, you’ll enjoy an afternoon of white water rafting in the summer or a day of skiing in the winter. There are also more relaxing activities to enjoy such as fishing or wildlife viewing. Eagle River Recreation Management Area also has plenty of camping opportunities. Whether you’re looking for a secluded rustic camping experience or something with a few modern amenities, there’s something for you. You can camp directly at Eagle River Recreation Management Area or one of the nearby campgrounds. Either way, the stars shine bright in the forests of Colorado just about every night!
The main roads travelers take to get to Eagle River Recreation Management Area are Interstate 70 West and Grand Junction 164. Eagle River Recreation Management Area is practically straight east of Denver, Colorado. With so many other parks and forests in this area of Colorado, Eagle River Recreation Management Area isn’t hard to find. The roads are paved and well-maintained, making the drive easy for most vehicles. While there are gravel paths throughout Eagle River Recreation Management Area, there are also major highways and interstate close by.
There is plenty of cell phone reception, which is great for those not familiar with the area. Upon arrival, there is a parking lot available. From there you can get around a variety of ways, depending on when you visit. During the summer, most visitors enjoy getting around on foot or watercraft. During the winter, many people visiting Eagle River Recreation Management Area will use skis or snowmobiles to explore. Though it’s not transportation related, it’s important to note that travelers should carry bear spray with them, due to the large number of black bears in the area.
A beautiful campground you can stay at during your visit to Eagle River Recreation Management Area is Yeoman Park Campground. There you will find 24 campsites available on a first-come, first-served basis. 11 of the 15 campsites have platforms available for tent campers. There aren’t RV hookups available. 18 of the campsites can fit RV and trailers that are between 15 and 30 feet in length.
There are also six campsites that can fit longer RVs if needed. The majority of campsites at Yeoman Park Campground are surrounded by dense forests, while a handful are more open. There are also two campsites that are disability-friendly and easy to access. This campground has vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire grills available. There are beautiful views of Craig’s Peak for campers of Yeoman Park. This is a great place for visitors of Eagle River Recreation Management Area, as it has so many different campsites available and is rarely crowded.
Another campground in Eagle River Recreation Management Area that makes a great place to catch some sleep is Fulford Cave Campground. There you will find seven campsites available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each campsite has a picnic table and fire ring for camper's convenience. Fulford Cave Campground has vault toilets, but there are no RV hookups available. Speaking up, trailers and RVs must be 25 feet in length or less.
If you’re camping in Colorado during the summer, you can enjoy a dip in one of the many swimming holes that Fulford Cave Campground has to offer. If you’re a solo traveler or just prefer your peace and quiet while visiting Eagle River Recreation Management Area, Fulford Cave is spacious and secluded. It’s also incredibly scenic with mountain tops and towering trees everywhere you look. Visitors of this campground enjoy the many hiking trails in Eagle River Recreation Management Area, as well as the active wildlife.
Colorado has a surprisingly short fishing season, as it only runs from April until July. If you’re an angler looking to get a bit of fishing in during your visit to Eagle River Recreation Management Area, make sure that you have a fishing license. Whether you enjoy an afternoon of fly fishing or you take the boat out on the river, you’ll likely catch wild brown trout or rainbow trout, as they’re the most popular fish in the Eagle River.
Whether you enjoy relaxing on an old-fashioned fishing boat or you prefer the thrill of white water rafting, boating and water activities are incredibly popular in Eagle River Recreation Management Area.
As the name suggests, Eagle River is the perfect spot to enjoy cooling off during the warm summer months in Colorado. Because there are no lifeguards on duty, it’s important to wear the proper safety gear when in the water, no matter your swimming skill level.
Picnicking is a common peak season activity for those visiting Eagle River Recreation Management Area for many reasons. For starters, it’s the perfect way to start your day and get ready for hiking or fishing. Speaking of, you can enjoy a fresh catch during a picnic at dinner time as well. Just be sure to clean up after yourself to respect the No Trace Left Behind Act and store food securely so that it does not attract bears.
The last campground that visitors of Eagle River Recreation Management Area enjoy is Halfmoon Campground. As you can guess from the name, this is the perfect place to enjoy an evening of stargazing. There are just four small campsites at Halfmoon Campground. They are available on a first-come, first-served basis. This isn’t a campground for people who enjoy modern amenities as the only thing close to that there is a vault toilet. There is no running water, RV hookups, or fires allowed. Halfmoon Campground is best for tent campers or those with smaller RVs.
It’s important to note that this area is known for a lot of bear activity. If you do choose to camp there, it may be smart to bring bear spray and be aware of what to do if a bear comes near you. Keep food packed at all times and never leave it in your tent or outside of your RV. With that being said, Halfmoon is a great place to stay if you enjoy a more rustic camping experience.
Off-season in Colorado means snow! Snow shouldn’t stop you from enjoying Eagle River Recreation Management Area to the best of your ability. Feel free to bring a pair of cross country skis to explore Eagle River Recreation Management Area. You can carve your own path or take one of the man-made ones that are already created. This is a fun way to get around and doubles as amazing exercise. It’s also a great activity for the entire family.
If you want an off-season activity that doesn’t take too much effort, snowmobiling is a fun option. You will have to bring your own snowmobile, but there are rentals that are a bit of a drive from Eagle River Recreation Management Area. Either way, snowmobiling is a great activity for those looking for an adrenaline rush as well as a casual activity for families with small children. Be sure to dress warm and wear a helmet!
Depending on the time of year that you visit, Colorado is home to a variety of different wildlife. Some of the animals most commonly seen at Eagle River Recreation Management Area are big horned sheep, mountain lions, black bears, eagles, wild horses, prairie dogs, and even snakes! This is a fun activity that visitors of Eagle River Recreation Management Area of any age can enjoy! Bring a camera to snap a picture of any animals you see!
