East Sand Hills Trail

Way over the top of Cameron Pass, where the forest opens into the big sagebrush bowl of North Park, the East Sand Hills Trail runs through one of the more surprising corners of State Forest State Park — the North Sand Hills, a pocket of pale, wind-piled dunes set against the Medicine Bow foothills. COTREX maps it as a dirt trail open to hikers, mountain bikers, and horses, stitched here from two continuous segments into roughly 5.4 miles running west from the North Sand Hills access area. It's dry, open, and exposed, with long views and soft, sandy footing that will slow both boots and tires.

Be honest with yourself about the company you'll keep out here: the North Sand Hills is famous as Colorado's premier open sand-dune riding area, and on a summer weekend you'll see and hear OHVs working the dunes nearby. That said, COTREX marks the East Sand Hills Trail itself as non-motorized — motorcycles and ATVs are listed as not allowed on this trail, dogs must be leashed. A State Forest State Park pass is required to be here, so plan for that, carry more water than you think you'll need in this exposed country, and check current access and dune-area status with the park before you go.

Trail Facts

Getting There

In the North Sand Hills area of State Forest State Park, out in North Park — reached from CO-14 over Cameron Pass toward Gould/Walden, then in via the Jackson County road into the North Sand Hills Recreation Area. A State Forest State Park (CPW) pass is required. Confirm the trailhead, current access, and the sand-dune riding-area status with the park's Moose Visitor Center before heading out.

Know Before You Go

• Non-motorized — despite the neighborhood. COTREX lists the East Sand Hills Trail as hike, bike, and horse, with motorcycles and ATVs not allowed on the trail itself — even though it sits right in the North Sand Hills, Colorado's well-known open-riding sand dunes. Expect to see and hear OHVs working the dunes close by.
• State park pass required. You're inside State Forest State Park; a valid CPW parks pass is needed, and the North Sand Hills riding area has its own rules and seasons — confirm at the Moose Visitor Center.
• Dry and exposed. Sandy, open, high-country terrain with little shade — carry plenty of water, sun protection, and check current conditions before you go.
• Dogs on leash. Keep dogs leashed on the trail.