Ceran Saint Vrain Trail
The Ceran Saint Vrain Trail is an easy, forested US Forest Service trail that follows South St. Vrain Creek downstream for about 1.8 to 1.9 miles from a trailhead up the gravel road past Jamestown, popular with families for hiking, fishing, and dispersed camping, with no posted fee.
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Ceran Saint Vrain quick facts
- Distance
- About 1.8 to 1.9 miles one way along the creek. The Forest Service trail page lists the Ceran Saint Vrain Trail at 1.8 miles; its trailhead page lists 1.9 miles. It's an out-and-back, so a full there-and-back is roughly 3.6 to 3.8 miles.
- Elevation change
- Gentle. The trail follows South St. Vrain Creek downstream, so the walk out is mostly flat to slightly downhill and the small climb comes on the way back.
- Difficulty
- Easy. The Forest Service rates the Ceran Saint Vrain Trail as easy, which is why it's such a popular family walk.
- Dogs
- Allowed. Dogs must be on a hand-held leash.
- Activities
- Hiking, fishing (in accordance with Colorado Parks & Wildlife regulations), and dispersed camping (with restrictions near the creek, see below).
- Fee
- None posted. The Forest Service trailhead page lists no entrance or parking fee and notes no required pass.
- Trailhead
- Ceran Saint Vrain Trailhead, along South St. Vrain Creek just north of Boulder County Road 94, about two miles east of Colorado Highway 72, on the gravel road past Jamestown. Parking for up to 30 vehicles, no room for horse trailers, and no restrooms on site.
- Best season
- Generally late spring through fall. The access road is gravel and the route sits in the foothills, so winter brings snow and mud, and the creek runs high with spring and early-summer snowmelt.
Ceran Saint Vrain Trail at a glance
The Ceran Saint Vrain Trail (Forest Service trail #801) is one of the gentlest, prettiest walks in the foothills west of Boulder. It follows South St. Vrain Creek downstream through evergreen forest, crossing the water on wooden footbridges, and it's flat enough that families with young kids, anglers, and anyone after an unhurried creekside stroll all end up here. It sits in the Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests, up the gravel road past the tiny town of Jamestown, so it feels a world away from the busier Open Space trailheads closer to town.
How long is the trail, and how hard?
The Forest Service rates it easy. Its trail page lists the Ceran Saint Vrain Trail at 1.8 miles and its trailhead page lists 1.9 miles, so figure on roughly 3.6 to 3.8 miles if you walk out and back. Because the trail follows the creek downstream, the walk out is mostly flat to slightly downhill, which means the only real climbing is on the way back to your car. It's an out-and-back, so you can turn around whenever the kids or the fish tell you to.
Fishing and the creek
South St. Vrain Creek runs right alongside the trail the whole way, which is a big part of the draw. Fishing is permitted in accordance with Colorado Parks & Wildlife regulations, so bring a current Colorado license and check the current rules for the water. In late spring and early summer the creek runs high and loud with snowmelt, so watch your footing near the banks, especially with kids and dogs.
Dogs on the Ceran Saint Vrain Trail
Dogs are welcome here, which isn't true everywhere around Boulder. The Forest Service requires dogs to be on a hand-held leash on this trail. Bring water and bags, and remember the creek moves fast in the snowmelt months.
Dispersed camping rules
This is a popular spot for dispersed (free, undeveloped) camping in the national forest, but there's a specific rule to respect. Dispersed camping is prohibited within a quarter mile of either side of South St. Vrain Creek, starting at the Ceran St. Vrain trailhead and running to a quarter mile from the intersection of South St. Vrain Creek and National Forest System Road 252.1. The point is to keep camps back from the water, so plan to camp away from the creek corridor, follow Leave No Trace, and pack out everything you bring in.
Where the trail goes: Miller Rock and beyond
The trail ends at National Forest System Road 252, a rough four-wheel-drive road. From there the road climbs about half a mile northwest to a four-way intersection, and a steep half mile up to the left brings you to Miller Rock, a scenic high point with 360-degree views. That upper stretch turns the easy creek walk into a longer, steeper outing, and it links this corner of the forest toward the Peak to Peak Highway and the high country around Nederland.
Getting there and parking
From Boulder, head five miles north on US Highway 36 toward Lyons, then turn west onto Lefthand Canyon, signed for Ward and Jamestown. Five miles west, follow the right fork for Jamestown and continue through town. Once the road changes from paved to gravel, look for the Ceran Saint Vrain Trailhead sign in about half a mile. There's parking for up to 30 vehicles, but no room for horse trailers and no restrooms on site, so plan accordingly before you leave pavement.
Nearby trails and guides
- All hikes in Boulder: the full hiking hub, sorted by difficulty.
- Nederland: the mountain town up the Peak to Peak, the natural next stop from this corner of the forest.
- Camping around Boulder: where to pitch a tent, including dispersed sites in the national forest.
Recommended nearby
A few local spots we'd point a Ceran Saint Vrain day toward.
[CLIENT SLOT: featured cafe or store near Jamestown]
[One honest line: coffee, a bite, or last-minute supplies before the gravel road.]
[CLIENT SLOT: featured fly shop or outfitter near Boulder]
[One honest line: licenses, flies, or gear for the creek.]
[CLIENT SLOT: featured local guide or gear rental]
[One honest line: a guided day or rented gear for the foothills.]
Ceran Saint Vrain Trail FAQ
How long and how hard is the Ceran St. Vrain Trail?
It's an easy trail of about 1.8 to 1.9 miles one way. The Forest Service trail page lists it at 1.8 miles and its trailhead page lists 1.9 miles, so plan on roughly 3.6 to 3.8 miles out and back. The trail follows South St. Vrain Creek downstream, so the walk out is gentle and the modest climb comes on the return.
Is there a fee to hike or park at the Ceran St. Vrain trailhead?
No. The Forest Service trailhead page lists no entrance or parking fee and notes no required pass. It's a national forest trailhead with parking for up to 30 vehicles, though there's no room for horse trailers and no restrooms on site.
Are dogs allowed on the Ceran St. Vrain Trail?
Yes. Dogs are allowed on the Ceran Saint Vrain Trail, and the Forest Service requires them to be on a hand-held leash.
Can you camp or fish along the Ceran St. Vrain Trail?
Both, with one camping rule to know. Fishing is permitted in accordance with Colorado Parks & Wildlife regulations. Dispersed camping is allowed in the national forest, but it's prohibited within a quarter mile of either side of South St. Vrain Creek, from the Ceran St. Vrain trailhead to a quarter mile from the intersection of South St. Vrain Creek and National Forest System Road 252.1. In other words, camp away from the creek corridor, and pack out what you pack in.
How do you get to the Ceran St. Vrain trailhead?
From Boulder, head five miles north on US Highway 36 toward Lyons, then turn west onto Lefthand Canyon, signed for Ward and Jamestown. Five miles west, follow the right fork for Jamestown and continue through town. Once the road changes from paved to gravel, look for the Ceran Saint Vrain Trailhead sign in about half a mile.
Sources
Facts on this page are drawn from these authoritative sources: