Located west of The Rocky Mountains, King Mountain Special Recreation Management Area is one of the most remote areas that is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. It is close to the Flat Tops Wilderness, directly west of Denver, Colorado. King Mountain Special Recreation Management Area has a variety of different outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy.
It consists of over 12,000 acres of public land, allowing for quite a bit of exploring. Some of the more popular activities that visitors enjoy are shooting, fishing, hunting, skiing, and horseback riding. If you’re looking for something more lowkey, you could enjoy a picnic or take photos of the plants or animals in King Mountain Special Recreation Management Area.
Speaking of, there is a lot of wildlife in King Mountain Special Recreation Management Area. Most commonly seen are herds of elk, as well as black bears, mountain lions, and bighorn sheep. Elevation ranges quite a bit in King Mountain Special Recreation Management Area. Some mountains peak at 3,000 feet, while others are over 7,000 feet. Lastly, there are plenty of areas to camp under the beautiful Colorado night sky and rest after a long day of outdoor activities.
Out of all of the Bureau of Land Managed areas, King Mountain Special Recreation Management Area is by far one of the harder to access. There are only specific roads that the public can use to reach King Mountain Special Recreation Management Area. Your best way of getting there is by entering via one of the many trailheads in King Mountain Special Recreation Management Area. These vary greatly depending on where you’re coming from.
You can take Interstate 70 to Highway 131 or King Creek Trailhead. There is also the option to take Stifel Creek Trailhead or Tepee Creek Trailhead. There are a few parking areas throughout King Mountain Special Recreation Management Area. Some are paved, while others are unimproved. It’s important to note that due to how remote this part of Colorado is, cell phone reception lacks quite a bit.
Make sure you bring extra food, water, and safety equipment, especially if traveling during the winter. There are also a handful of bulletin boards throughout King Mountain to give visitors any important and updated information. The majority of travel in King Mountain Special Recreation Management Area is done on foot. Many people get around via horseback as well.
From the end of May until the beginning of September, Horseshoe Campground is in its peak season. Reservations are available during this time. During off-season, campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. You’ll find picnic tables and campfire rings at each campsite there. There are campsites for RVs up to 25 feet long, with no access to any modern hookups. There are plenty of trees that separate the campsites, giving the illusion of privacy and a remote feeling to Horseshoe Campground.
This is a beautiful place to stay while visiting King Mountain Special Recreation Management Area. There are vault toilets and drinking water available to campers as well. As for activities, many people staying at Horseshoe Campground enjoy the plethora of hiking trails, as well as easy access to fishing and wading areas. If you enjoy stargazing, this campground offers cloud-free night skies to give you the perfect spot to look at the stars.
For two weeks in May, Cold Springs Campground offers camping available on a first-come, first-served basis. From the end of May until the end of September, camping is available with a reservation. This is a great place to rest your head when visiting King Mountain Special Recreation Management Area. You will find 38 campsites in total, all of which equipped with a picnic table, grate, and a fire ring.
RVs are welcome, but limited to 40 feet or less. Cold Springs Campground does not offer hookups for RV campers. Campsites one through five are best for tent campers, as well as campsites nine and 11. All other campsites are approved for RV camping. The majority of campsites there have plenty of shade, keeping you cool during warm Colorado summer months. If you’re traveling with kids, they’ll enjoy the playground that Cold Springs has to offer. There is also water, vault toilets, and firewood available for campers as well.
Colorado is full of wild animals and King Mountain Special Recreation Management Area is no exception. The state animal is the bighorn sheep and there are plenty around this area. You are also likely to see mountain lions, coyotes, black bears, hawks, eagles, and snakes.
There are also a variety of deer and wild horses that roam around King Mountain Special Recreation Management Area as well. Be sure to bring a camera to snap a few photos of these creatures in their natural habitats.
Shooting is another popular peak season activity that visitors of King Mountain Special Recreation Management Area enjoy. You have to bring your own targets and be sure to honor the No Trace Left Behind Act by picking up any shells or casings that come from your weapon. This helps keep the land free from litter and safe for the wild animals.
It’s also important that you make sure you have the proper licenses needed to enjoy an afternoon of shooting at King Mountain Special Recreation Management Area.
There are a handful of different streams, creeks, ponds, and rivers in King Mountain Special Recreation Management Area. Fishing is a common activity that anglers enjoy during their stay. Whether you’re fly fishing or just casting a classic reel, trout are the most popular fish caught there.
Colorado does have a fairly short fishing season, usually from April until July. This is something to keep in mind while planning your trip, as well as having a valid fishing license.
Lynx Pass Campground is a beautiful place to stay while visiting King Mountain Special Recreation Management Area. There you will find 11 campsites that are surrounded by dense forest. These campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each campsite has a fire pit and a picnic table for campers' convenience. Camping is available at Lynx Pass for both RV campers and primitive camping. If you are renting an RV, you may like to know that there aren’t any RV hookups available there.
There is drinking water available via hand pumps throughout the campground. When visiting King Mountain Special Recreation Management Area, you may be wanting a campground that is equally as remote and this is the perfect fit. There is one vault toilet for the entire campground, as well as easy access to hiking trails and off-highway vehicle trails. This is a beautiful place to stay whether you’re camping alone or with a large group of people!
When visiting King Mountain Special Recreation Management Area during the winter, you may like to get around using skis. This is a fun activity for the whole family to enjoy. King Mountain Special Recreation Management Area is filled with cliffs and steep slopes that can bring a bit of a thrill in comparison to casual cross country skiing.
There aren't any rentals in King Mountain Special Recreation Management Area, so bringing your own gear is a must.
Another great pastime that you can enjoy when visiting King Mountain Special Recreation Management Area is rock climbing. This is something for the adrenaline junkies to enjoy during off-season. You have to bring your own safety and climbing gear.
There are plenty of cliffs and rocks just waiting for visitors of King Mountain Special Recreation Management Area to climb. Once you reach the top, you’ve got yourself a unique and amazing view of the deep valleys and the nearby river.
Easily one of the most popular ways to get around King Mountain Special Recreation Management Area is by horseback. This is mainly because of how remote it is. There are a plethora of hiking trails in King Mountain Special Recreation Management Area that can be used by horseback riders as well. This is a fun way to explore King Mountain Special Recreation Management Area and a relaxing way to spend an afternoon while visiting Colorado.
