Camp at Coulson Gulch
Details
Distance
9 miles
Route Type
Out-and-Back
Added by Ryan Mckinney
Take in amazing sunset views and enjoy solitude in the Roosevelt National Forest. There is an optional 9 mile roundtrip trail.
Coulson Gulch is a lightly used area of the Roosevelt National Forest which makes it perfect for a weekend getaway without the crowds. This is a great place to camp out under the stars!
To get to Coulson Gulch From Lyons, head west on U.S. Highway 36 for about 9 miles. Turn southwest onto Larimer County Road 47 and drive for three miles until you veer left onto National Forest System Road 118. This turnoff comes as the paved road curves right to enter Big Elk Meadows area. Coulson Gulch Trailhead is to the left immediately after NFSR 118 crosses the cattle guard. Use the Satellite image on Google Maps and you'll be able to see the service roads not shown on "map" version.
Campfires area permitted except when seasonal restrictions are in effect. There are many nice campsites dispersed along the trail and some found on the south side of the creek. Shooting is allowed except within 150 yards of a campsite, occupant trails or roads. The trail gets very little use, which makes for a quiet, secluded experience. The trail is 9 miles out and back which gives you the option to take it all the way to the end or stop at the first sight of a decent campsite (there are some within a mile of the trailhead). The trail is mostly flat and easy as it winds through forests, narrow valleys, and across creek beds. Keep an eye out for swimming holes to cool off after a hike - there are plenty!
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Reviews
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Coulson Gulch Trail closed at Higgins Park
It took a bit of exploring to actually find the trailhead. Really easy to find dispersed camping in this area though! Very secluded, however a lot of mountain bikers venturing on the trails. There are a ton of unmarked trails near NF road 118, so it was fun to explore the area and discover spectacular views of Longs Peak. The Coulson Gulch trail is closed at Higgins Park so you can currently only hike ~2miles of it due to flood damage. It was a beautiful hike into the gulch with a lot of stream crossings (unfortunately did not find any swim holes). Sure hope the trail is repaired soon because I'd love to go back and hike the full 9 miles!
4.0
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