Free — you'll pick up right here.

Colorado

Turkey Creek

5.5 mi

Distance

1,057 ft

Gain

No verdict for this trail

We won't guess. Here is exactly what we do and don't know.

What we do know

  • Inside Pike and San Isabel National Forests

    2 managing-area boundaries mapped — agency alerts for them feed this page automatically.

    Boundary data

What's missing

  • No access route mapped

    We don't yet know which road reaches this trailhead, so we can't tell you if it's gated.

Nobody's filed a report here yet — be the first.

Why you'll love it

Out & back

Here's your day, mapped

Turkey Creek

AI-suggested draft · review before you go

Building your full AI plan…

Meals

Building your meal plan…

Gear for the day

Building your gear list…

Elevation & route

Distance
5.5 mi
Elevation gain
1,057 ft
Highest point
11,304 ft
Lowest point
10,102 ft
More about this trail ↓

Photos

Directions & GPX

Permits & access

Managing agency
Forest Service

About this trail

Turkey Creek Trail is a 2.8-mile loop located in Colorado near the San Juan National Forest's Gunnison Ranger District. This moderate trail offers hikers a compact route through the varied terrain of southwestern Colorado's high country. The loop format allows visitors to experience different sections of the landscape without retracing their steps, making it an efficient option for those with limited time. The trail is managed by the Gunnison Ranger District of the San Juan National Forest, ensuring proper maintenance and adherence to forest service standards. Turkey Creek's relatively short distance makes it accessible for families and hikers seeking a half-day outing without committing to a full-day expedition. The area's natural features reflect the San Juan Mountains' characteristic landscape, with opportunities to observe the diverse ecology of Colorado's public lands. Due to its location within a national forest and proximity to the Gunnison area, the trail provides convenient access to backcountry recreation while remaining close to services and accommodations.

Add to a trip & share

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Sand Creek Basin

~45 min drive

<p>Sand Creek Basin is part of the alpine watershed of Great Sand Dunes National Preserve. A longer drive and hike is required to reach these lakes and peaks, but the mountain scenery is worth the effort. Check with a ranger for conditions before travel. Snow may block these t…

Hidden Dune

~47 min drive

Hidden Dune is currently tied with Star Dune as the two tallest dunes in North America at 741 feet/225 m. Hidden Dune is named for its remote location in the dunefield, where it is not visible from most of the main visitor day use areas. It is even hidden from much of the high…

Horn Peak

~50 min drive

6.6 mi · Hard

South Apache

~9 min drive

7.1 mi · Moderate

Mosca Pass

~47 min drive

<p>Just above the dunefield are forests of aspen, pine, fir, and spruce. The easiest hiking access to forest in the national park is in Mosca Pass, on the Montville Nature Trail and Mosca Pass Trail. On these trails, you are walking in the footsteps of Pleistocene mammoth hunt…

Medano Creek

~47 min drive

<p>Medano Creek is a popular seasonal stream enjoyed by all ages. On this page you'll learn what to expect month-by-month in an average year, and how the rare phenomon 'surge flow' works. You can also link to <a href="https://www.nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/medano-creek.htm">cu…

Greenhorn

~5 min drive

16 mi · Hard

Rudolph Mtn.

~28 min drive

7.4 mi · Moderate

Lake Shore Ada

~9 min drive

0.6 mi · Easy

High Dune on First Ridge

~48 min drive

The high dune on the first ridge is neither the highest in elevation nor the tallest in the dunefield, but it looks that way from the main parking lot. This is the most common destination in the dunefield, providing a great view of the entire dunefield. It is about 692 feet (2…

Guided trips nearby

Local operatorsoffering guided trips. You book directly with them — Roamze doesn’t take a cut.

Journey Quest

Hiking business nearby (~45 mi away) — hasn't claimed their Roamze page yet

View operator