Free — you'll pick up right here.
Watch this trail
Sign up to watch it — saving subscribes you to gate, closure and report changes.
Colorado
South Apache
7.1 mi
Distance
1,619 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
3 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
Here's your day, mapped
South Apache
AI-suggested draft · review before you go
Meals
Gear for the day
Elevation & route
- Distance
- 7.1 mi
- Elevation gain
- 1,619 ft
- Highest point
- 9,375 ft
- Lowest point
- 7,266 ft
Photos
Directions & GPX
Permits & access
- Managing agency
- Forest Service
About this trail
South Apache is a 3.6-mile loop trail located in Colorado near the town of Colorado, managed by the Gunnison Ranger District of the San Juan National Forest. This moderate loop offers accessible hiking for a range of skill levels and provides a good option for those seeking a shorter day hike in the area. The trail is situated within the San Juan National Forest, one of Colorado's largest national forests spanning over two million acres across southwestern Colorado. The surrounding landscape offers typical high country scenery characteristic of the region. South Apache's loop configuration allows hikers to complete a full circuit without backtracking, making it an efficient use of time on the trail. The 3.6-mile distance makes it suitable for families and hikers looking for a less strenuous outing compared to longer backcountry routes in the area. For current trail conditions, closures, or any updates, contact the Gunnison Ranger District directly. The San Juan National Forest offers numerous recreational opportunities alongside South Apache for those interested in exploring the region further.
Add to a trip & share
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
Mosca Pass
~52 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
~52 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…
Santana
~3 min drive
8.7 mi · Hard
Rudolph Mtn.
~36 min drive
7.4 mi · Moderate
Sand Creek Basin
~53 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
~53 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…
Greenhorn
~7 min drive
16 mi · Hard
Middle Hardscrabble
~39 min drive
4.8 mi · Moderate
Turkey Creek
~9 min drive
5.5 mi · Easy
High Dune on First Ridge
~53 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…
