Colorado

Accessible from the Lion Gulch Trailhead about 8 miles southwest of Estes Park, CO along US Hwy 36, the area known as Homestead Meadows contains a series of hiking trails in the Roosevelt National Forest. This area is rich in the history of eight homesteads established there between 1889 and 1923. Information boards provide background stories at each location. The Walker and Griffith Homesteads are located on the Lion Gulch Trail that terminates at Trail #971, just west of the third Griffith cabin. Just past the remains of the first Griffith cabin, a short-cut trail # 949.2 leads to the right. Trail #971.1 branches right and leads about a mile east to the Irvin Homestead and sawmill. A sign on Lion Gulch Trail at the east edge of Homestead Meadows indicates a short trail #949.1 heads to the south toward four homesteads via closed forest roads. The Big Elk fire in 2002 destroyed the Engert Homestead located on Trail #971.2 about a mile to the south. Trail #971 leads farther south to the Laycock Homestead and to trails #971.3 to the Hill Homestead and #971 continues to the Boren Homestead.

When Open? Area Acres Operated By
Year-round; 24 hours a day 7,046 acres US Forest Service:
Canyon Lakes Ranger District
Dogs Allowed? Miles of Trail Max/Min Elev (ft)
Dogs allowed - must be on leash in developed areas 21 7,120ft - 9,790ft

Homestead Meadows Hiking Area Trail and Map Finder

Area Hiking Trails:
1 - Engert Homestead Trail
2 - Griffith Homestead Trail
3 - Hill Homesetead Trail
4 - Homestead Irvin Trail #971.1
5 - Homestead Meadows Trail #971
Area Hiking Trails:
1 - Engert Homestead Trail
2 - Griffith Homestead Trail
3 - Hill Homesetead Trail
4 - Homestead Irvin Trail #971.1
5 - Homestead Meadows Trail #971
6 - Homestead Shortcut Trail
7 - Laycock Homestead Trail
8 - Lion Gulch Trail #949
Area Trailheads:
1 - Homestead Meadows Trailhead
2 - Lion Gulch Trailhead
Area Campgrounds: