Cherokee Park State Wildlife Area: Lone Pine Unit

Cherokee Park State Wildlife Area provides opportunities to see a wide variety of species including bighorn sheep — and to enjoy a beautiful day in the hills with your horse.

The state wildlife area can be entered through two main access points: one off of Cherokee Park Road (Larimer County Road 80C, which leaves U.S. Highway 287 22 miles northwest of Fort Collins) and the other off of Red Feather Lakes Road.

Maintained by the Colorado Division of Wildlife, Cherokee Park is divided into five management units which cover almost 21,000 acres of public land.

The Lone Pine Unit connects with all the wildlife area's other units, so riders can feel free to explore and ride for days. It's named after Lone Pine Creek, which runs through the tract. Access is off of Red Feather Lakes Road, about 8 miles from the Livermore turnoff along U.S. 287. The dirt parking lot has plenty of room for most horse trailers to pull in, park and turn around, but there are no designated parking spots. Drivers should be courteous to fellow trail users and park so that other trail users have easy access to the lot.

The trailhead presents two choices: Follow historic Maxwell Ranch Road or take a trail up the hills. Both trails reconnect in the gorgeous canyon where Lone Pine Creek runs. The road is flatter, wider and easier, although it makes several stream crossings before  reconnecting with the other trail. The other route climbs over a few hills, and provides for gorgeous views in all directions. The descent into the canyon following this route is steep, rocky and not for inexperienced riders or horses.

Once down the hill, riders can head due west, following Maxwell Ranch Road, which also follows Lone Pine Creek. The road crosses the creek several times, but the crossings are friendly, shallow and great for teaching horses about water crossings. The road heads up a hill and then descends into another beautiful canyon. The road is about 8 miles long and enters Forest Service property.

Riders who head northeast along the road will find a bathroom and access to the Lone Pine Trail. This trail loops through the unit and reconnects with Maxwell Ranch Road. The loop is about 8 miles long as well, so riders should plan for around half a day of riding.

This area is open to recreation from May 1 through Sept.1 but is limited to hunting and fishing the rest of the year. Permits are required for hunting, and if riding during those months, riders should be cautious and wear orange hunting vests and other fluorescent-colored gear.

Happy trails!