Connector Road · State Forest State Park
South Canadian Road
A rough two-track through the lodgepole above the Canadian River — more a way to stitch a longer walk together than a destination of its own.
Toggle Terrain / USGS Topo / Satellite / Street (top-right) · route © COTREX/CPW · tap a marker for waypoints
South Canadian Road isn't a marquee trail — it's a working forest road in the northern reaches of State Forest State Park, west of Cameron Pass, and that's exactly what makes it handy. COTREX maps it as a rough dirt two-track climbing north off the park's lower roads, then splitting at a junction into a couple of short spurs that fan out through the lodgepole above the Canadian River. On foot it reads as a quiet, unhurried connector: firm tread underneath, big open sky, and the kind of country where you're as likely to see a moose track as another person.
Because it's a road, you may share it with the occasional high-clearance vehicle, so keep an ear out — but most of the year it walks like a trail. Its real value is as a link: use it to tie the South and North Canadian trails and the Canadian River Loop into one longer wander rather than an out-and-back. This is high, remote State Forest country, so bring layers and water, carry a map, and check current road and access conditions with the State Forest State Park office before you go — a park pass is required.
Trail Facts
Length
2.7 mi
Elevation
9,070 → 9,540 ft
Elevation Gain
+210 ft
Type
Forest road
Walkable
Yes — connector
Motor vehicles
Yes
Surface
Rough two-track (dirt)
Manager
State Forest State Park
Getting There
Inside State Forest State Park on the west side of Cameron Pass (CO-14), in the Canadian River area at the north end of the park. The road leaves the park's lower road network and climbs north toward the Canadian trails. A State Forest State Park pass is required; confirm the exact access point and current road status with the park office on the map before heading out.
| 0.0 mi | Lower end — south access off the park road |
| 1.3 mi | Road junction — short spur branches north |
| 2.7 mi | East end — near the North & South Canadian trail network |
Know Before You Go
- It's a road, not a trail. Surface is a rough dirt two-track and you may meet a high-clearance vehicle — walkable, but stay alert and step aside for traffic.
- Use it as a connector. Its best purpose is stitching the South Canadian, North Canadian, and Canadian River Loop routes into one longer loop or point-to-point.
- State Forest State Park. A park pass is required, and this is high, remote country — carry a map, layers, and water, and watch for moose.
- Check conditions first. Road and access status change with the season; confirm with the State Forest State Park office before you rely on it.
Take the Trail With You
Load the route onto your phone's GPS app, or print the details for the glovebox.
Coming soon — the Red Feather Lakes Trail App: offline maps and live GPS for every local trail, right in your pocket.
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- Google & USGS — trailhead location, ratings & topographic maps
Trail details compiled by the Red Feather Lakes Travel Guide from the sources above. Photography by us — more of our own trail images coming as we hike them.