Can you reserve a site at Cheesman Canyon Trailhead?

No. Cheesman Canyon Trailhead is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Cheesman Canyon Trailhead

Facility · Colorado ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Pike National Forest (NF) · Open Access

6,605 ft
Elevation

The Cheesman Canyon Trailhead is located along Jefferson County Route 126, approximately 22 miles from south of Pine Junction from US Highway 285.

The five-mile Gill Trail #610 follows the South Platte River through Cheesman Canyon and ends at the upper Cheesman Reservoir trailhead. The trail is difficult and steep in many sections and there are no facilities in the canyon. Help protect the canyon by staying on designated trails.

User Regulations:
Trailhead

No fees; donations accepted
No overnight use
No overnight parking
Park in designated spaces only

Cheesman Canyon

Flies and lures only
Catch and release only
Stay on designated trails
Dogs must be leashed at all times
Pack it in, Pack it out

Protect these waters from Aquatic Nuisance Species.

Getting there

39.24191, -105.26586 · 39°14'30.9"N 105°15'57.1"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 84°F in Jul, down to 44°F in Dec.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	45	46	53	58	67	79	84	82	76	64	53	44
Low °F	14	16	23	29	38	47	53	51	43	32	23	15
Precip in	0.5	0.6	1.2	1.5	1.8	1.7	2.6	2.6	1.2	1.0	0.6	0.5

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 1.6 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

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Common questions about Cheesman Canyon Trailhead

Can you reserve a site at Cheesman Canyon Trailhead?: No. Cheesman Canyon Trailhead is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Camping near Cheesman Canyon Trailhead

Lone Rock Campground (Co) 1.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Platte River 4.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Kelsey Campground 5.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Meadows Group Campground 6.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Ouzel 6.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Goose Creek Campground 7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Green Mountain Campground 7.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Buffalo Campground 7.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
South Platte River Corridor 2.3 mi · Facility
Kelsey Campground 4.4 mi · Campground
Buffalo Creek Recreation Area 7.1 mi · Facility
Scraggy View Picnic Area 7.3 mi · Facility

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Contact

Info Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.