Willow Lake

Managing agency

Forest Service

Willow Lake is a 4.6-mile out-and-back trail located in Colorado near Colorado, managed by Pike-San Isabel National Forest's South Park Ranger District. This moderate hike offers access to a scenic alpine lake nestled in the South Park area, one of Colorado's most expansive high-altitude valleys. The out-and-back route provides flexibility for hikers of varying abilities, allowing visitors to turn back at any point or complete the full distance to the lake. The trail passes through typical South Park terrain, which transitions between ponderosa pine forests and open meadows characteristic of this 9,000-foot-plus elevation region. Willow Lake serves as an excellent destination for day hikers seeking mountain lake scenery without requiring technical mountaineering skills. The surrounding landscape offers opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography. This trail is maintained by the South Park Ranger District, part of Pike-San Isabel National Forest, which encompasses over 1.4 million acres across central Colorado. Access and current conditions can be verified through Pike-San Isabel National Forest's official resources.