Colorado · Hiking · Near Estes Park

Miller Fork

Miller ForkPhoto: christinejwarner, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
6.3 mi
round trip
860 ft
climb
8,597 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Jun, Sep
best months

Is Miller Fork open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 4 alerts for Canyon Lakes Ranger District.

As of · Source: USFS · Canyon Lakes Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Miller Fork is a moderate out-and-back hike in Colorado's Canyon Lakes Ranger District, part of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests, about 6.3 miles long with an elevation gain of 860 feet. The trail runs from a low point of 7,390 feet to a high of 8,597 feet, and the Forest Service manages the land. The trail is natural-surface, and it is open to both horses and bikes. It stays open year-round, so the timing of your visit is flexible. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Estes Park put July highs around 80°F with lows near 48°F, while winter highs stay in the mid-30s. Several other routes lie within a short distance. The North Fox Trail and the Indian and Danner Pass Cutoff Trail are each about a mile away, and the North Fork Big Thompson River offers canoeing roughly 1.7 miles off.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Boundary Creek campsite 1

    Campground

    Campground · 4.1 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Hunter's Chop House

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 7 mi
  • If it rains

    Almost East Gemstone Peak

    Viewpoint

    On your way back · 6 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Estes Park

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · May–Jun, Sep

    Best time to visit Miller Fork

    Best months: May–June and 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.

    1. Jan

      37° / 16°

      7 wet

    2. Feb

      38° / 16°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      45° / 21°

      9 wet

    4. Apr

      52° / 26°

      10 wet

    5. May

      61° / 35°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      74° / 43°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      80° / 48°

      13 wet

    8. Aug

      78° / 46°

      13 wet

    9. Sep

      70° / 39°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      57° / 30°

      7 wet

    11. Nov

      44° / 23°

      6 wet

    12. Dec

      36° / 16°

      7 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Estes Park 3 Sse, CO, 9.9 mi away at 7,812 ft. The station sits about 800 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.