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Recreation - relax and explore in minturn

Parks In Minturn

The new Little Beach Park and Amphitheater in Minturn is nestled between the Minturn cliffs and the Eagle River. The perfect location for a family picnic or a party, the park has a public restroom, lots of shade trees, a basketball court (half court), a climbing wall, picnic tables and grills, easy access to the river for fishing and/or boating, a variety of play structures for children of all ages and an outdoor amphitheatre.
Little Beach Park is located on Cemetery Road (just over the Cemetery Bridge) right on the Eagle River, just outside of downtown Minturn.

Eagle River Park in Minturn is a great place for a picnic, right off Main Street in downtown Minturn. Plenty of parking, picnic tables and access to the newly restored Eagle River.
Eagle River Park is located on Eagle River Street: Take Main Street (Hwy 24) to Toledo Street East (toward river) and park on Eagle River Street.

Wilderness Near Minturn

Holy Cross Wilderness

Hiking , biking , snowshoeing and cross country skiing are only some of the year round recreation opportunities offered by the White River National Forest. Roughly 35 percent of the district is designated Wilderness and includes major portions of the Holy Cross and Eagle's Nest Wildernesses. Five huts operated by the Tenth Mountain Hut Association along with their associated trail systems are found on the district. Camp Hale , a World War II winter training site now on the National Register of Historic Places, is situated toward the south end of the district.

The Holy Cross District lies on the northern extent of the Sawatch Mountain Range and the western flank of the Gore Range, about 100 miles west of Denver. It includes the forest areas surrounding the towns of Vail, Minturn, Red Cliff and Avon. To the north, the district takes in much of the Piney River and Sheephorn Creek drainages.

White River National Forest 24747 US HWY 24
P.O. Box 190 Minturn, CO, 81645
Phone: 970-827-5715
Fax: 970-827-9343





The Eagle River

The upper Eagle River provides a variety of scenic, outdoor recreation opportunities along its 20+ mile stretch from Tennessee Pass to Dowd Junction. For river enthusiasts, fishing, rafting, kayaking and canoeing are plentiful. Floating season generally occurs during late May through July. Access to the river is available from several public access points along the Highway 24.

Fishing Conditions

Whitewater Rafting

River Flows

Ski and Ride

Minturn is five minute drive to world class skiing at Vail and Beaver Creek. For more information on winter activities at these resorts, go to www.snow.com.

Hiking, Biking, Snowshoeing and Cross Country Skiing Trails

The Holy Cross District has 225 miles of Forest Service trails. These trails offer a variety of opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and, in winter, cross-country skiing. For information about elevation and difficulty, stop by the White River National Forest Office at I-70 Exit 171 or call (970) 827-5715.

Access from US HWY. 24: I-70 to Exit 171 (Hwy. 24/6), travel south on US HWY. 24.

Meadown Mountain: Travel south for 300 feet, the Holy Cross Ranger District is located here. Park in the dirt parking lot. The trailhead is located by the white house.

Grouse Mountain: Proceed 1 mile on US HWY. 24 south to trailhead across from Meadow Mountain Business Park.

Martin Trail:Proceed 3 miles through Minturn of US HWY. 24 south to trailhead on the right (behind blue house).

Beaver Lake/Turquoise Lake:Take I-70 to Avon Exit, head south on Village Road to Beaver Creek Ski area. Travel 2.5 miles and park in parking structure. Follow 5 Senses trail.

Two Elk Trail: Travel south for 2.5 miles to Cemetery Road in Minturn. (This is the only bridge across the river in the town). Turn left on Cemetery Road and continue on the road to the fork. Take the right fork, where the road forks again, take the left fork and follow this to the end of the road.

Access from Tigiwon Road:I-70 to Exit 171 (Hwy. 24/6), travel south on US HWY. 24 for 4 miles to Tigiwon Road FDR 707.

Cross Creek: Proceed 2 miles on Tigiwon Road to trailhead on right.

Halfmoon Pass/Mt. of Holy Cross and Fall Creek Trails: Proceed 8 miles on Tigiwon Road to the end of the road.

Notch Mountain: Same as Fall Creek trailhead. Hike the Fall Creek trail for 2 miles to the junction with Notch Mountain trail.

Access from Homestake Road: I-70 to Exit 171 (Hwy. 24/6), travel south on US HWY. 24 for 14 miles to Homestake #703.

Whitney Lake: Turn right onto Homestake Road and proceed 5 miles to trailhead.

Missouri Lakes/Fancy Pass: Travel on Homestake Road for 7 1/2 miles to Road #704. Turn right and continue for 1 1/2 miles.

East Fork/Lonesome Lake: Proceed approximately 10 miles on FDR #703. Trailhead on left.