Creedmore Lakes Trail

Creedmore Lakes is one of those short, unhurried trails that rewards more than its mileage suggests. From the trailhead up the Creedmore Lakes Road, the path runs about nine-tenths of a mile on dirt tread through lodgepole pine in the high, rolling Deadman country northwest of the Red Feather Lakes village. It climbs gently to a scatter of small lakes set among the timber — the kind of spot where you can sit on a log, watch the light move on the water, and hear nothing louder than the wind and the birds. COTREX lists it as open to hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders, on land managed by the USFS Canyon Lakes Ranger District.

Right at the start, a short Creedmore Lakes Spur Trail — about four-tenths of a mile — branches off and wanders toward its own pocket of the lakes, so you can stitch the two together for a slightly longer loop-and-back outing. It’s a family-friendly length and grade, but this is still remote national-forest ground: the access roads are rough and unplowed in the shoulder seasons, there’s no water or services at the trailhead, and afternoon storms build fast up here. Bring layers and your own water, and check current road and trail conditions with the Canyon Lakes Ranger District before you head out.

Trail Facts

Getting There

Northwest of the Red Feather Lakes village in the Deadman area of NW Larimer County. The trailhead sits at the end of the short Creedmore Lakes Road, reached off the Deadman Road network in Roosevelt National Forest. The roads back here are dirt, high-clearance in spots, and unplowed in winter — confirm the trailhead on the map and check current road conditions with the Canyon Lakes Ranger District before you go.

Know Before You Go

• Short and gentle. At about 0.9 miles on dirt tread, it’s a good pick for a relaxed walk or a first taste of the Deadman backcountry — add the 0.4 mi spur for a little more.
• Open to more than boots. COTREX lists the trail as open to hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding; no motorcycles or ATVs.
• Part of the network. This is USFS Canyon Lakes Ranger District ground in the Red Feather Lakes / Deadman area — remote, with rough dirt access roads that aren’t plowed in winter.
• Check conditions first. There’s no water or services at the trailhead and mountain weather turns quickly; confirm road and trail conditions with the Canyon Lakes Ranger District before heading out.