Chapman Campground
Campground
Campground · 0.3 mi from the trail
Colorado · Hiking · Near Leadville
Chapman Interpretive
Photo: waterarchives, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)- 1.2 mi
- round trip
- 156 ft
- climb
- 8,688 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- Jun–Sep
- best months
Is Chapman Interpretive open right now?
Alert in the area
The Forest Service lists 6 alerts for White River National Forest.
FSR 286, Radical Hill, is closed due to washouts and unsafe conditions
Agency alert covering White River National Forest · USFS · White River National Forest
Limited parking at Snowmass Creek Trailhead
Agency alert covering White River National Forest · USFS · White River National Forest
Grizzly Creek Trail Closure
Agency alert covering White River National Forest · Order 2026-02 · USFS · White River National Forest
Ruedi Marina Day Use area Dump Station is CLOSED
Agency alert covering White River National Forest · USFS · White River National Forest
Asbestos safety closure - Camp Hale
Agency alert covering White River National Forest · USFS · White River National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · White River National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Chapman Interpretive is an easy, short hike in Colorado's White River National Forest, within the Sopris Ranger District. The trail is about 1.2 miles long and rises roughly 156 feet from a low point of 8,544 feet to a high of 8,688 feet. It is an out-and-back route, and the Forest Service manages the land. The trail is natural-surfaced, and the Forest Service's records say it is not open to bikes or horses. Parking is at the Chapman Interpretive Trail, and the trail is open year-round. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Meredith, CO, run to highs around 81°F in July, with lows near 40°F. That station sits about 860 feet lower than the trail, so temperatures on the hike run cooler. Chapman Campground is about 0.3 miles away and Chapman Group Campground about 0.5 miles. Sawyer Lake and Chapman Lake are both within about 1.6 miles.
Around this trail
Add any of these when you start a tripSleep close Eat after La Mina Tacos Y Mariscos
Restaurant
On your way back · 19 mi
If it rainsCraig Talbert, CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Craig Talbert, CC BY 3.0 (commons)
More in LeadvilleGo with a guide
- Mineral Belt Trail Guided WalkRoamze · $25 per person · 19 mi away
- Maroon Bells Guide and Outfitters16 mi away
Best time to go · Jun–Sep
Best time to visit Chapman Interpretive
Best months: June–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
34° / 4°
Feb
36° / 6°
Mar
43° / 13°
Apr
51° / 21°
May
63° / 28°
Jun
75° / 34°
Jul
81° / 40°
Aug
80° / 39°
Sep
71° / 32°
Oct
61° / 23°
Nov
45° / 13°
Dec
34° / 5°
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Meredith, CO, 6.4 mi away at 7,825 ft. The station sits about 900 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
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