Outdoor Recreation
Available on: All plans including Free
The Outdoor Recreation card shows state parks, federal recreation areas, campgrounds, and trail access within a radius of the address. For many Colorado residents, proximity to outdoor recreation is a primary factor in where they choose to live — this card quantifies it.
Data sources
- Official state recreation records — state park locations, day-use areas, fishing access sites, and wildlife areas across Colorado, refreshed on a scheduled basis.
- Federal recreation records — National Forest campgrounds, day-use areas, wilderness trailheads, and ranger districts, refreshed on a scheduled basis.
- REI Hiking Project — trail data including trail names, distances, difficulty ratings, elevation gain, and surface types. Refreshed weekly.
What the card shows
- State parks within radius — name, type (camping, day-use, fishing), and driving distance
- Federal recreation sites — National Forest, BLM, and National Park Service sites within radius
- Trails — hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian trails accessible within the radius, with difficulty rating and length
- Nearest state park — the single closest state-managed site and its distance
- Recreation score — 0–100, based on proximity and density of recreation options
How the recreation score is calculated
The score uses a distance-weighted proximity model that values closer access more heavily:
- A state park or major federal recreation area within 5 miles contributes heavily to the score
- Trail access within 1 mile contributes significantly (many Colorado neighborhoods are close to a trail system)
- Sites between 10–25 miles contribute modestly
- Sites over 25 miles are noted but contribute minimally to the score
The diversity of options matters too — an address near one small fishing access site scores lower than one equidistant from a full state park with camping, trails, and a reservoir.
Interpreting recreation scores in Colorado
Colorado's geography means outdoor recreation scores vary more than almost any other category. Front Range metro areas tend to score 50–80 because the mountains are accessible within 30–60 minutes of driving, but the immediate urban/suburban area has limited trail access. Mountain towns like Fort Collins, Boulder, Colorado Springs, and Durango often score 85–100 because major trail systems literally border the city limits.
| Score range | Typical situation |
|---|---|
| 85–100 | Trail system within a mile; state park or major federal land within 10 miles; diverse options (hiking, camping, fishing) |
| 65–84 | Good trail access, major recreation within 15–20 miles; typical of Front Range suburbs near open space |
| 40–64 | Some local parks, state/federal land within 25–30 miles but no immediate trail access |
| 20–39 | Limited local open space; major recreation requires significant travel |
| 0–19 | Dense urban area or area far from public lands; recreation requires driving to a different region |
The Front Range is unique: an address in the Denver Tech Center or Thornton might score 55 on outdoor recreation, but you're 45 minutes from Rocky Mountain National Park, 30 minutes from state parks, and a 20-minute drive to dozens of trail systems. The card score reflects what's immediately nearby — it doesn't fully capture the benefit of living in a state with world-class recreation one drive away.
Trail data
Trail data from the REI Hiking Project includes:
- Trail name and location
- Distance (in miles) and estimated round-trip time
- Difficulty (Easy, Moderate, Hard, Expert)
- Elevation gain (feet)
- Trail type (out-and-back, loop, point-to-point)
- Surface (dirt, gravel, paved)
- Primary use (hiking, mountain biking, equestrian)
- Last condition report (where available)
Seasonal access
The card shows recreation sites year-round, but many Colorado trails and campgrounds have seasonal access. High-altitude trails above 10,000 feet may be snow-covered or muddy from April through June. Campgrounds at elevation often open Memorial Day and close in September. The card does not currently show seasonal availability — check the managing agency's official page before visiting.