Backpacking

Backpacking Areas

• California Park/Black Mountain Area

  Located in Northern Colorado, on the west side of the Routt National Forest, the California Park/Black Mountain area is home to the Elkhead Mountains. Notable peaks and destinations include Bears Ears Peaks, Slater Park, Sugar Loaf Mountain, and Sawtooth Mountain. Visitors can find remote meadows, scenic vistas, and the trail less traveled. Much of the California Park and Black Mountain area is remote and far from amenities. Please plan accordingly when visiting.

• Adams Creek TH: Trail #1144.6A
• Adams Park TH: Trail #1144
• Aspen TH: Trail #1183.1A
• Black Mountain TH: Trail #1185
• California Park TH: Trail #1144
• Campground TH: Trail #1185
• Cottonwood TH: Trail #1183
• Dry Fork TH: Trail #1144
• Grizzly Creek TH: Trail #1144
• Old Black Mountain TH: Trail #1144
• Roaring Fork TH: Trail #1144
• Sawmill TH: Trail #1144
• Sherman TH: Trail #1010
• Taylor Creek TH: Trail #1183.1B
• The Dike TH: Trail #1144
• The Gap TH: Trail #1144
• West Prong TH: Trail #1144
• Willow Creek TH: Trail #1144
• Flat Tops Area

  The Flat Tops area is managed by the Yampa Ranger District and offers many recreation opportunities for all seasons. The Bear River corridor, Chapman and Sheriff Reservoirs, and Dunckley Pass are popular locations. The Scenic Byway "Flat Tops Trail" runs from Yampa to Meeker on County Road 8, and is popular for big game hunting, picnics, scenic driving, admiring the fall colors, camping, fishing, snowmobiling, hiking, horseback riding and more. 

  The Flat Tops Wilderness spans the Routt National Forest and White River National Forest. Elevations range from 7,640 to 12,354 feet. This is the third largest Wilderness in Colorado.

  The United States Congress designated the Flat Tops Wilderness in 1975, and it now has a total of 235,214 acres. Arthur Carhart's 1919 visit to Trapper's Lake in the Flat Tops prompted him to be the first U.S. Forest Service official to initiate a plea for Wilderness preservation.

• Baldy Trailhead
• Coal Creek/Sawtooth Trailhead
• Crosho Lake Recreation Area
• Cyclone Trailhead
• Devil's Causeway
• East Fork Trailhead
• Elk Draw Trailhead
• Flat Tops Wilderness - Routt
• Gill Reservoir Trailhead
• Heart Lake Trailhead
• Mandall Trailhead
• North Dunckley Trailhead
• Salt Park/South Fork Area
• Sheriff Reservoir Trailhead
• Stillwater Trailhead
• West Fish Creek Trailhead
• Yampa Ranger District Office
• Gore Range Area

  Located 20 minutes west of Kremmling, Colorado and 20 minutes east of Yampa, Colorado on the Routt National Forest, the Gore Range/Gore Pass area has many recreation opportunities. Sarvis Creek Wilderness is located within Gore Range and Colorado Highway 134 runs through the south end of the area.  This area is a largely popular for camping, hiking, hunting, snowmobiling, and mountain biking.

• Lower Sarvis Creek Trailhead
• Lower Silver Creek Trailhead
• Routt Divide Trailhead
• Sarvis Creek Wilderness
• Upper Sarvis Creek Trailhead
• Upper Silver Creek Trailhead
• Mount Zirkel/Park Range Area

  The Mount Zirkel/Park Range area is on the Routt National Forest in northwestern Colorado. It consists mainly of the Mount Zirkel Wilderness and other surrounding recreation sites. It is managed by the Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District on the west side and the Parks Ranger District on the east side.

  The United States Congress designated the Mount Zirkel Wilderness in 1964 as one of the original areas protected under the Wilderness Act. It has a total of 159,935 acres. All of this wilderness is managed by the U.S. Forest Service. These National Forest lands are on the west side of what is known as "North Park," an open, sagebrush upland of 40 square miles.  It is one of three parks in Colorado, joining "Middle Park" and "South Park" in the trio.

• Beaver Creek Trailhead
• Buffalo Ridge Trailhead
• Encampment Tie Hack Trailhead
• Encampment Trailhead
• Grizzly Trailhead
• Helena Trailhead
• Katherine Trailhead
• Lone Pine North Trailhead
• Lone Pine South Trailhead
• Mount Zirkel Wilderness
• Newcomb Creek Trailhead
• Parks Ranger District Office
• Percy Lake Trailhead
• Pitchpine Trailhead
• Rainbow Lake Trailhead
• Red Canyon Trailhead
• Seven Lakes Trailhead
• Upper 3 Island Lake TH: Trail #1163
• North Routt County Area

  This area is located in northwest Colorado, just south of the Colorado/Wyoming border and the Sierra Madre Range. It is a part of Routt National Forest, surrounds Pearl Lake and Steamboat Lake State Parks, and runs parallel to the Continental Divide.

  Popular recreation locations include Big Red Park, Crane Park, Elkhorn Mountain, Hahns Peak, Hinman Park, and Seedhouse, just to name a few.

  This area is home to many activities such as mountain biking, hiking, fishing, OHV riding, and various winter activities.

• Burn Ridge TH: Trail #1100
• Coulton Creek TH: Trail #1188
• Diamond Park TH: Trail #1152
• Lower 3 Island Lake TH: Trail #1163
• North Lake TH: Trail #1164
• Scott Run TH: Trail #1177
• Slavonia TH: Trail #1150/1161/1162
• Pole Mountain Area

  The Pole Mountain area is located north of Interstate 80 between Laramie and Cheyenne in Albany County, Wyo. Approximately 55,000 acres in size, Pole Mountain is a popular area for recreation and the uniqueness of its terrain.  Large rock outcrops, rolling hills, short grass prairie, and many different types of trees inhabit this area on the Medicine Bow National Forest. 

  In the Laramie, Cheyenne, and Fort Collins area, the Pole Mountain unit is some of the closest and most accessible National Forest System lands. Pole Mountain sees heavy year-round usage from visitors who want to explore public lands. Popular uses include, but are not limited to, mountain biking, climbing, camping, military training, hunting/fishing, winter sports, livestock grazing, hiking, off-highway vehicle travel, horseback riding, and communication sites.

• Headquarters East TH
• Summit TH
• Sierra Madre Area

  Southwest of Saratoga, Wyo. on the Medicine Bow National Forest lies the Sierra Madre Range, which is a part of the main range of the Rocky Mountains.  There are two wilderness areas in the Sierra Madre Range: Huston Park Wilderness and Encampment River Wilderness.  Named for the famous battle between Indians and Fur Trappers in 1841, the 57-mile Battle Pass Scenic Byway runs through this area.  This byway is known for its scenic views, especially during fall when the colors are changing. 

  This area has many activities such as hiking, fishing, mountain biking, camping, snowmobiling, and cross country skiing.

• Baby Lake Trailhead
• Brush Creek/Hayden Ranger District Office
• CDNST - Deep Jack Trailhead
• CDNST - Pipeline Trailhead
• CDNST - Red Mountain Trailhead
• Commissary Park Trailhead
• East Fork - Encampment River Trail
• Encampment River Wilderness
• Green Mountain Trailhead
• Huston Park Wilderness
• Purgatory Gulch Trailhead
• Snowy Range Area

  The Snowy Range area in the Medicine Bow National Forest is located in southeast Wyoming. The Laramie Ranger District, Brush Creek/Hayden Ranger District, and Parks Ranger District manage portions of the Snowy Range. Year-round recreation uses include hiking, fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, skiing, OHV riding, camping, and biking. Primary access across the Snowy Range is by Highway 130, known as the Snowy Range Scenic Byway. 

• Crater Lake Trailhead
• Deep Lake Trail
• Dipper Lake Trail
• Lakes Trailhead
• Laramie Ranger District Office
• Lewis Lake Picnic Site
• Libby Lake Picnic Site
• Platte River Wilderness
• Quealy Lake Trailhead
• Rock Creek Trailhead
• Savage Run Wilderness
• Sheep Lake Trailhead
• Six Mile Trailhead
• Steamboat Springs Area

  The Steamboat Springs area is east and north of Steamboat Springs, Colo. It is managed by the Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District with a Ranger Station/Visitor Center in the town of Steamboat Springs. Recreation sites along Buffalo Pass and Rabbit Ears Pass are located within this area to include the popular waterfall hike, Fish Creek Falls. 
  
  The area lies against the western ridge of the Continental Divide and the Routt National Forest. Multiple wilderness areas are nearby. The area is bountiful with recreation opportunities such as mountain biking, hiking, camping, and fishing, as well as winter sports such as skiing and snowmobiling, just to name a few.

• Base Camp TH: Trail #1101, CDNST
• Buffalo Pass TH: Trail #1101, CDNST
• Elk Park TH: Trail #1118
• Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District Office
• Mad Creek TH: Trail #1100
• North Fork Elkhead TH: Trail #1145/1146
• Red Dirt TH: Trail #1171
• Roaring Fork 1 TH: Trail #1166
• South Fork TH: Trail #1100.3A
• Troublesome/Gould Area

  Located south of Walden, Colo., and split by Colorado Highway 125, the Troublesome/Gould area is co-managed by the Parks Ranger District, Routt National Forest, and Arapaho/Roosevelt National Forests. It accesses three Wilderness Areas (Neota, Never Summer, Rawah). Rocky Mountain National Park lies east of this area.

  This area is very popular for activities such as snowmobiling, hunting, camping, fishing, hiking, and other various activities.

  PARKS RANGER STATION
  100 Main Street
  Walden, CO 80480
  970-723-8204

• Bill Miller Trailhead
• Grassy Run Trailhead
• Hyannis Trailhead
• Longs Lake Trail Access
• Neota Wilderness: Routt NF
• Never Summer Wilderness: Routt NF
• Pines Campground
• Poison Ridge Trail Access
• Rawah Wilderness: Routt NF
• South Fork Trailhead
• Troublesome Pass Trailhead
• Wheatley Creek Trailhead
• Willow Creek Pass Trail Access