Facility Overview

The Flying A / Hungerford State Trust Land (STL) Hunting and Fishing Access parking area serves as the designated vehicular access point for outdoor recreationists visiting this protected parcel along the Arkansas River corridor in southeastern Colorado (ZIP 81039, near Fowler and Boone). Formatted as an open-air, unpaved gravel and packed-dirt staging area, this rural lot provides direct boundary access for permitted sportsmen. Because it is completely open to the sky with no overhead gates, arches, or structures, there are virtually no vertical clearance restrictions. The lot comfortably accommodates high-clearance four-wheel-drive trucks, full-size SUVs, hunting rigs, horse trailers, and utility vehicles suited for rugged rural Colorado terrain.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Situated in a tranquil prairie and riparian river bottom landscape east of Pueblo, this access site is managed primarily through Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) partnerships to offer seasonal sporting recreation. Notable nearby destinations and geographical landmarks include:

• Arkansas River Corridor: Direct foot access to riparian wetlands, cottonwood groves, and riverbanks prized for seasonal waterfowl, upland game bird, and small game hunting, as well as warm-water fishing.
• Town of Fowler (approx. 10–12 miles east): A nearby rural farming community offering local diners, fueling stations, grocery supplies, and historic roadside stops along US Highway 50.
• Pueblo Reservoir & Nature Center (approx. 25–30 miles west): Regional outdoor hubs offering boating, expanded camping, and interpretive nature trails along the upper Arkansas River valley.
• Ordway and Lake Meredith (approx. 20 miles northeast): Known for regional birdwatching, boating, and seasonal reservoir fishing opportunities.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Access to the Flying A / Hungerford STL parking area is typically made via County Roads branching off State Highway 96 or US Highway 50 through eastern Pueblo County and western Otero County. Ingress and egress utilize compacted country roads that transition into the designated parking footprint. Due to the remote rural setting, there is zero scheduled public transit or municipal bus service. Visitors must rely on private personal vehicles, preferably with all-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive capabilities during late autumn snows or spring mud conditions. Navigation systems should be set to exact GPS coordinates (38.099492, -104.159177) to prevent misrouting onto adjacent private agricultural parcels.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Unpaved Surface Parking: Level gravel and dirt apron tailored for heavy-duty pickup trucks, utility trailers, and standard recreational vehicles.
• Unlimited Vertical Clearance: Wide-open footprint allowing access for roof-racked vehicles, campers, and tall utility rigs.
• Regulatory & Property Boundary Signage: Official CPW informational signage outlining open hunting seasons, species regulations, and State Trust Land boundary notices.
• Self-Contained Staging: Simple rural layout designed to minimize ground disturbance while serving as an organized trailhead staging zone.
• Complimentary Access: Parking is free of direct meter charges, provided visitors hold valid state sporting licenses or CPW access permits.

Ideal For

• Hunters & Anglers: Licensed sportsmen tracking waterfowl, small game, upland birds, and big game during CPW-sanctioned seasons.
• Wildlife Photographers & Birdwatchers: Naturalists seeking migratory prairie and river-corridor bird species in an undisturbed setting.
• Outdoor Adventurers: Remote recreationists looking for primitive, quiet foot access to southeastern Colorado public lands.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Before planning your visit, ensure that all vehicle occupants carry the required Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) hunting or fishing license, or valid State Trust Land access permit, as strict regulations govern usage of STL lands. The property is primitive, meaning there are no public restrooms, potable water supplies, or trash cans; always pack out all refuse, spent casings, and personal gear. Rural dirt roads can become slick and deeply rutted following intense rainstorms or snowmelt, making four-wheel drive and good tire tread essential. Additionally, cell phone reception can be intermittent, so download offline boundary maps (such as CPW Hunting Atlas or OnX Hunt) before departing major thoroughfares.