Close to Estes Park and Lyons within portions of the Roosevelt National Forest are thousands of acres of public lands. Colorado Parks and Wildlife estimates the St. Vrain herd to be close to 65 bighorns.

Ogallala Peak sits on the Continental Divide. Peaks can reach above 12,000 feet, creating many square miles of alpine tundra. Places like Deer Ridge, House Rock, Rattlesnake Gulch, Twin Sisters Peaks, Deadman Gulch and Button Rock Reservoir add a unique flavor to the area. Slopes are steep, gulches are narrow and deep, creeks meander towards the high grasslands and broad open parks are seen across the unit.

Foothills, creeks and gulches are made up of coverings of oak brush, mountain mahogany, bitter bush, aspens, willows and cottonwood. Mountain slopes have dense forests of firs, spruces and pines with small grassy parks. Alpine tundra has thousands of wildflowers, with moss and lichens covering rocks.

Roosevelt National Forest service roads and trails combined with Boulder and Larimer county roads provide a good trail and road system. Colorado Route 7, 72 and U.S. Highway 36 are the main highways within the area. County Roads to consider are Longmont Dam Road, Conifer Hill Road, County Road 82E, Forest Service 116, 330 and 220. Twin Sisters can be reached off of Colorado Route 7.

Roosevelt National Forest provides improved campgrounds like Camp Dick, Peaceful Valley, Olive Ridge and Meeker Park Overflow. The summer and early seasons are hectic in Estes Park. Tag holders have many lodging options of motels, cabins and the Stanley Hotel. Medical care and gas and diesel are available 24/7. Lyons sits on the eastern edge and offers motels and restaurants.