Hiking

Whether day hiking or backpacking, you'll find many opportunities on the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland. Hundreds of miles of trail wind through backcountry wilderness, developed recreation areas, and everything in between.

Backpacking

Backpacking is the perfect way to visit beautiful and unique areas in remote locations, such as designated wilderness areas. Backpacking is best suited for late summer and fall months on the MBRTB due to heavy winter snow and cool spring temperatures. Always check with local ranger districts to ensure that trails are passable, especially those that cross high, mountainous terrain. 

Day Hikes

With hundreds of miles of trail, opportunities for day hikes abound across all areas of the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland. From a quick lap around a lake or rock outcrop after a picnic lunch to an early morning adventure catching the sunrise on a mountain peak, hikers of all skill levels can find a trail suited for them. Some trails are paved and accessible to all visitors, while others may have rocky terrain or patches of snow year-round.

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Recreation Opportunities

Backpacking (123)

Day Hikes (213)

Hiking (1)

Showing: 1 - 10 of 221 results

Adams Creek Trailhead: Trail #1144.6A

Although only 1.5 miles in length, this trail provides motorized, foot, bike and horse access to the entire 1144 system of trails in California Park.

Adams Park Trailhead: Trail #1144

This trail provides motorized and foot, bike and horse access to the #1144 Bears Ears system of trails, connecting most directly with Adams Creek #1144.6A and #1144 Bears Ears. The trails system can…

Allen Basin Trailhead

This Trailhead serves as the access point for the Allen Basin Trail No. 1181. This 1 mile long doubletrack route grants access to Allen Basin reservoir.This trail is closed to all vehicles over 50”…

Aspen Trailhead: Trail #1183.1A

Located near Freeman Reservoir, this non-motorized trail is open to foot, bike, and horse traffic. Day hiking leads to Cottonwood and Sherman Trails, the #1183 Freeman trail, #1144 Bears Ears and the…

Baby Lake Trailhead - CDT Access

Baby Lake is located in the Sierra Madre Range and is managed by the Brush Creek/Hayden Ranger District.  Trailhead provides non-motorized access to the Baby Lakes Trail and Huston Park  Wilderness…

Baldy Trailhead

This Trailhead serves as the access point for Baldy Trail #1200. This 6.75 mile trail begins on private land, please respect the landowner and stay on the trail.The trail begins by crossing the East…

Base Camp Trailhead: Trail #1101 - CDT Access

Trail # 1101, CDT National scenic trail leads you North on the Continental Divide from Rabbit Ears Pass. This is a non-motorized, multi-use trail leading to multiple lakes and connects to trails…

Bear Lake Campground

Site Open

Bear Lake Campground is located 11 miles outside of Yampa, Colorado on Forest Service Road 900. The campground typically opens in early June and has a range of outdoor recreation opportunities from…

Beaver Creek Trailhead

Trailhead parking is ample and ideal for parking horse trailers and unloading horses. The trail provides a good access to the Mt Zirkel Wilderness, great for groups with horses who want to get away…

Big Creek Lakes Campground

Site Open

Currently there is no potable water, campers should come prepared with their own water. No date has been determined as to when it will have potable water again. Big Creek Lakes Campground is the…