Colorado · Hiking
Hiking in Buffalo Creek, Colorado
Buffalo Creek sits in the Pike National Forest about an hour south of Denver, and its trail network punches well above its size.
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View on mapHiking · 21 spots
Buffalo Creek sits in the Pike National Forest about an hour south of Denver, and its trail network punches well above its size. The area is built around a web of named forest roads and singletrack that survived — and in some cases were rerouted after — the 1996 Buffalo Creek Fire, which is why you'll still see the open, ponderosa-pine-and-scrub-oak landscape that defines rides and hikes here today. The 21 listed hikes range from the easy Buffalo Burn 758 loop to longer pushes on Colorado Trail Segments 2 and 3, which pass through the area on their way between Waterton Canyon and Kenosha Pass. Trails like Nice Kitty 768, Tramway 723, Morrison Creek 724, and Sandy Wash 791 connect into each other, so it's straightforward to string together a half-day or full-day route without repeating much ground. Baldy 727 adds a bit of elevation gain if you want a view payoff. Most of the terrain is rolling to moderately hilly rather than aggressively steep, which makes Buffalo Creek a good fit for hikers who want mileage and solitude over summit-bagging. Weekdays are noticeably quieter than weekends, when the trailhead parking off Forest Route 538 and Gashouse Road fills up by mid-morning from the Front Range crowd.
Frequently asked questions
What is the skill level required for hiking at Buffalo Creek?
Most trails here fall in the easy-to-moderate range. Buffalo Burn 758 is explicitly rated easy, and trails like Sandy Wash 791 and Morrison Creek 724 are similarly forgiving in terms of grade. Colorado Trail Segments 2 and 3 are longer and require more endurance than technical ability, so solid footwear and enough water matter more than any specialized skill.
When is the best time of year to hike at Buffalo Creek?
Late April through early November is the reliable window. The elevation sits low enough that snow clears earlier here than at higher Front Range trailheads, making it a good shoulder-season option. Summers are warm but not brutal — start before 9 a.m. on hot days since the open burn-area terrain offers limited shade. Fall brings cooler temps and thinner crowds.
Are there any access or parking considerations I should know about?
The main trailhead area is reached via Forest Route 538 and Gashouse Road off of Buffalo Creek Road. Parking fills fast on summer and fall weekends, often by 9 or 10 a.m. A America the Beautiful pass (or equivalent National Forest pass) may be required depending on the specific lot — check current Pike National Forest fee postings before you go since these change seasonally.
Can I connect multiple trails into a longer route?
Yes, and that's really how most people use this network. Trails like Nice Kitty 768, Tramway 723, Sandy Wash 791, and Morrison Creek 724 intersect and share trailheads, so you can build loops of varying lengths without much backtracking. Colorado Trail Segments 2 and 3 also pass through, giving you a longer linear option if you have a shuttle vehicle.
What gear should I bring for a day hike here?
Bring more water than you think you need — the open ponderosa terrain gets exposed and warm, and there are no reliable water sources on most of these trails to filter from. Sturdy trail shoes handle the rocky doubletrack on routes like Spring Creek Mines Road and Kelsey Creek Road fine; you don't need boots unless you're going late in the season when mud or patchy snow is possible. Sun protection is worth packing given how open the post-fire landscape remains.
