Chicken Creek Trailhead

Six miles north of Mancos along Highway 184, the Chicken Creek Trailhead serves as the starting point for a network of multi-use trails winding through ponderosa pine forests. Local volunteers, Forest Service crews, and Southwest Conservation Corps teams constructed thousands of hours of new single-track during the 2021-22 season, introducing the Blue Jay Trail and Lost Chicken Trail to the area. The system features 12 miles of single-track and over 10 miles of double-track, generally graded as easy for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. Trails rise gradually from southwest to northeast, gaining approximately 750 feet of elevation, with technical sections concentrated near the eastern terminus of the Lost Chicken Trail. Users can navigate loops such as the 15.2-mile Whole Chicken or shorter lollipop routes like Half Chicken West. The trailhead connects to the Mancos Spur Trail, leading north to Transfer Campground and eventually to the Colorado Trail at 11,600 feet. During winter, the area supports groomed cross-country skiing. The parking area accommodates horse trailers, and dogs are permitted on the trails. Electric bikes are excluded from the non-motorized paths.