Recreation

Recreation Around the Mountain Campus 

Mountain Campus’s remote location affords opportunities for incredible outdoor adventures for all levels. See below for helpful resources for your alpine adventures.

From valley strolls to summit attempts, the Mountain Campus can be the starting point for numerous outstanding hikes that lead to the majestic peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park. 

Walks around the valley provide opportunities to see and hear wildlife and can be completed in as little as 30 minutes. Longer day hikes to Cirque Meadow and Surprise Pond follow well-established trails and offer majestic mountain views. Whatever your goal, the Mountain Campus’s remote location affords opportunities for incredible outdoor adventures. The Mountain Campus Hiking Guide is available by clicking here.

  • Hikes to Mummy Pass or Stormy Peaks Pass enter Rocky Mountain National Park, providing alpine experiences.
  • Non-technical peak ascents can be made on area mountains including:
    • Signal Mountain 11,262 ft. (3,433m)
    • Stormy Peaks 12,148 ft. (3,703m)
    • Fall Mountain 12,258 ft. (3,736m)
    • Comanche Peak 12,702 ft. (3,872m)

Please note that there is no public parking or trail access at the Mountain Campus. To embark on any of these hikes, please park at one of the public trailheads:

  • Running through the valley you’ll find the peaceful waters of the South Fork of the Cache la Poudre River. The stream meanders through campus from private property upstream and connects with the main stem of the river in the Poudre Canyon. 
  • Fishing is for authorized guests only, there is no public fishing access available.  
  • All fishing on the South Fork Cache la Poudre is fly/lure and catch and release only. You must hold a valid Colorado fishing license to fish anywhere in the state. 
  • Typical fish found in the South Fork Cache la Poudre are brown trout and brook trout. 
  • The Mountain Campus affords visitors the opportunity to experience the abundant wildlife, vegetation and wildflowers of high mountain meadow and alpine ecosystems. The valley is home to 100 species of birds and 45 species of mammals, dense forests of Lodgepole Pine and Aspen, and the South Fork of the Cache la Poudre River. 
  • A sampling of resident wildlife includes moose, mule deer, black bear, coyote, pine marten, weasel, hummingbird, chorus frog and brown trout. 
  • Peaks rising to more than 12,000 ft. (3,658m) frame the valley and beckon hikers to explore the alpine environment of adjacent Rocky Mountain National Park. 
  • We describe our campus location as remote for many reasons – please come prepared to enjoy stepping away from the hustle and bustle of “town life” and step into the calm beauty of the Mountain Campus valley. 
  • No cell phone coverage in the Mountain Campus valley.
  • Internet service may be available for some groups, but is limited – contact the Mountain Campus for information. 
  • Please note that if you are searching for “Pingree Park” you will not find anything at the CSU Mountain Campus.
  • “Pingree Park” is the name given to the region in which the campus is located.
  • There is not an established “park” associated, nor are there trailheads that will lead you to “Pingree Park.” The term “park” refers to the geographical featurof a large, open area of land maintained in a natural state.