State: Colorado
Location: Pike & San Isabel National Forests
Length, One-Way: 6 miles
Trail Type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 10940 feet
Maximum Elevation: 11580 feet
Best Season: Summer, Fall
Difficulty: Easy
Usage: Moderate
Garden of the Gods
Trail Information
The Craig Park Trail lies in a long, high mountain valley between the Kenosha Mountains and Platte River Mountains. This open east-west valley is the beginning point of Craig Creek and the trail follows along the north side of the Creek. The western terminus of the trail is a junction with the Ben Tyler Trail and its eastern terminus is a junction with the Brookside-McCurdy Trail. The Craig Park Trail itself is a very gradual and easy hike.
However, to reach the trail you must hike up either the Brookside-McCurdy Trail or the Ben Tyler Trail. Craig Creek offers very good opportunities for fishing for brook trout. Because the trail is entirely in designated wilderness, Wilderness regulations apply.
From the junction of the Ben Tyler and Craig Park trails, bear left and hike east to a ridge on the northwest corner of Craig Park. Upon reaching the ridge, the valley of Craig Park will unfold below you to the east. The trail begins a gentle descent from this point, always staying north of the stream. There are numerous sites for camping from the head of the park to the junction with the Brookside-McCurdy Trail.
