Parks Ranger District

Facility · Wyoming ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

8,066 ft
Elevation

The Parks Ranger District is nestled into the Northwest Central Mountains of Colorado, bordered on the north by Wyoming, the Medicine Bow Mountains and the Rawah Wilderness on the east, the Zirkel Wilderness on the west, and the Park and Rabbit Ears ranges to the south (also known as the Troublesome Area).  

These National Forest lands encircle what is known as "North Park," an open, sagebrush upland of 40 square miles.  It is one of three parks in Colorado, joining "Middle Park" and "South Park" in the trio.   Parks Ranger District is one of six Ranger Districts on the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, and is situated east of the Continental Divide.  There are three Ranger Districts in Colorado and three in Wyoming. The Parks Ranger District Office is located in Walden, the only incorporated town in North Park.

  • Forest Service Maps for the Medicine Bow or Routt National Forests may be obtained at any of our district offices for $14.00 over the phone with a credit card. 
  • Motor Vehicle Use Maps (or MVUMs) can quickly tell you if a motorized route is open or if dispersed camping is allowed along a particluar road, and are free to you at your request. 
  • Please call the Parks Ranger District at 970-723-8204 for more detailed information.
  • There are numerous recreation activities available on the Parks Ranger District.  Select Mount Zirkel/Park Range, Snowy Range, or Troublesome under 'Areas & Activities' in the right-hand sidebar to find recreation sites on the Parks Ranger District.

Scroll down for area-specific activities, locations and maps.

Getting there

From Walden, CO, at the intersection of Hwy 14 and Hwy 125, head north. The Ranger District is on the left after 0.6 miles.

40.73658, -106.28260 · 40°44'11.7"N 106°16'57.3"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 76°F in Jul, down to 27°F in Jan.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F273039475869767466533828
Low °F241320283538362921123
Precip in0.60.60.71.11.51.21.31.31.31.00.80.6

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 0.6 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Member photos

Common questions about Parks Ranger District

Can you reserve a site at Parks Ranger District?
No. Parks Ranger District is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Camping near Parks Ranger District

Comments

Contact

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.