Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests · Colorado

South Fork

24 mi of trail, end to end · Darling Creek Trailhead: 5.2 mi one way in the Service's write-up · native material surface · trail No. 21 · trail class 2 · typical grade 12-20% · tread 18-24 inches wide · hiking, horse, bike · seasonal: hiking 06/01-11/15

Trailheads South Fork Trailhead Drive there · Williams Fork Trailhead Drive there

Boardwalk Trailhead the Forest Service's write-up

Begins at South Fork Campground and connects to Darling Creek Trail.

This trailhead on fs.usda.gov

Darling Creek Trailhead 5.2 mi one way · the Forest Service's write-up

The Darling Creek Trailhead is located near the South Fork Campground in the Williams Fork area.

View a COTREX area map here.

Darling Creek Trail (#18)

Length : 5.2 miles ONE WAY

Elevation : 8,900 feet at the Darling Creek Trailhead; 12,130 feet at junction with St. Louis Divide Trail (#17)

Trail Description : Beginning at the Darling Creek Trailhead , located near the Sugarloaf Campground , the trail crosses the boardwalk. The trail is a moderate hike at the start. When the trail forks from Darling Creek, it quickly gains elevation and becomes steep in sections. When the trail connects with the St. Louis Divide Trail , there is an excellent view of the area.

Latlong : 39.79669; -106.02526

Download a trail summary here.

View a trail map here .

This trailhead on fs.usda.gov

South Fork Trailhead the Forest Service's write-up

The South Fork Trailhead is a minor trailhead located on Forest System Road 142 in the Williams Fork Valley. The trailhead provides access to the South Fork Trail (#21) , the longest trail on the Sulphur Ranger District at 23 miles.

Note: The access road is closed to motor vehicles between Nov. 15 and June 15.

View a COTREX map here.

Restrictions <ul><li>Practice <a href="https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhsvkoYej7AIVjYTICh2FQgqwEAAYASABEgK3nvD_BwE">Leave No Trace principles</a>.</li><li>Dogs must be under control at all times.</li></ul>Unless seasonal restrictions are in effect, campfires must be attended at all times and cold to the touch with the bare hand before being abandoned. Collection of dead and down wood is allowed; <strong>do not </strong>break branches from standing trees for firewood.

This trailhead on fs.usda.gov

Williams Fork Trailhead the Forest Service's write-up

Day use fee is $10 per vehicle. Pay at the onsite fee tube with cash or check.

The Williams Fork Trailhead is located near the South Fork Campground in the Williams Fork Valley. There is parking for about 5 vehicles. Picnic tables are provided.

Note: The access road is closed to motor vehicles between Nov. 15 and June 15.

View a COTREX map here .

This trailhead on fs.usda.gov

Every trail in Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests

Other trails from the same trailheads

All 460 trails in Arapaho and Roosevelt National ForestsFind a trailForest on fs.usda.gov

About this trail's facts

The lines are the US Forest Service's National Forest System trails layer (public domain), read 2026-10-16 and simplified for the map; the length is the line's, end to end, and the class, surface, grade and tread width are the forest's own entries where it publishes them - a forest that publishes the centreline alone has none. The trailheads and the points along the way are the Service's recreation points, and the write-ups its own recarea text, unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the forest's own site before you go.