JEFFERSON CREEK

Jefferson Creek Campground extends along a ridge looking over Jefferson Creek. The high elevation campground sits at 10,100 feet altitude with surroundings of mixed conifers. It is a mile from Jefferson Lake, a182-acre lake with deep, cold waters that freezes over in winter.

Recreation: Two trails can be accessed near the campground. The best hiking, biking and horseback riding experience is on the epic Colorado Trail, a 471-mile trail that extends from Denver to Durango. The other is the West Jefferson Loop Trail, a foot path that extends for 11 miles to the Continental Divide. Rainbow, brown, mackinaw and brook trout can be found swimming in the creek and lake. Motorized boating is allowed in Jefferson Lake, but it is a no-wake lake.

Nearby: Visitors enjoy Fairplay, Colorado, a ghost town that was once a frontier boom town. The South Park City Museum contains 34 authentic buildings with 60,000 artifacts.