Indian Peaks Wilderness

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194 mi 313 km of trail — 12 Featured Hikes

2 Gems

13 Trails

29 Trails

7 Trails

Local Info

Indian Peaks Wilderness became part of the National Wilderness Preservation System in 1978 and spans 76,711 acres. This wilderness shares borders with James Peak Wilderness to the south and Rocky Mountain National Park to the north. Elevations range from 8,300 to just over 13,500 feet. Indian Peaks is one of the most visited Wilderness areas in the United States. To encounter fewer people, hike and camp on weekdays and use less popular backcountry zones. Trailhead parking is limited. Always use Leave No Trace to help keep this area wild and pristine. For recorded information call 303-541-2519.

Camping & Lodging

Permits: The Indian Peaks Wilderness is divided into backcountry zones. View a map of Indian Peaks Wilderness & Backcountry Zones (pdf, 274Kb). Permits are issued according to zone and required for camping between June 1 and September 15. Large groups (8 - 12 people) and/or organized groups such as scouts, churches, schools, internet outdoor groups and hiking clubs require permits year-round for day and overnight trips. Download a wilderness permit application form (pdf 134Kb).

Permits are limited and must obtained in advance from the Boulder Ranger District (2140 Yarmouth Ave, Boulder, CO 80301) or Sulphur Ranger District (9 Ten Mile Drive, P.O. Box 10, Granby, CO, 80446). Please download and complete the wilderness permit application form before visiting the office.

Camping: Click here for a list of Boulder Ranger District Campgrounds.

Visiting Tips

July & August are the best, but also the busiest months to visit the IPW.

Gems in Indian Peaks Wilderness - 2

Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Add Your Gems

Crater Lake and Lone Eagle Peak

Granby, CO

Long Lake

Nederland, CO

Featured Hikes in Indian Peaks Wilderness - 12

Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Add Your Hikes

Lone Eagle Peak above Mirror - from the Crater Lake Trail

Monarch Lake to Crater Lake

14.9 mi 24.0 km • Out and Back • 2,017 ft Ascent 614.74 m Ascent

Singletrack Granby, CO

( 61 )

Leaving the Jasper Creek drainage for the Continental Divide on a sunny morning.

High Lonesome Loop

15.7 mi 25.2 km • Loop • 3,162 ft Ascent 963.89 m Ascent

Singletrack Nederland, CO

( 59 )

Climbing Buchanan Pass on the west side.

Pawnee-Buchanan Loop

26.5 mi 42.6 km • Point to Point • 6,632 ft Ascent 2021.41 m Ascent

Singletrack Nederland, CO

( 37 )

South Arapaho Peak

8.6 mi 13.8 km • Out and Back • 3,111 ft Ascent 948.19 m Ascent

Singletrack Nederland, CO

( 41 )

Mitchell Lake Trail Out and Back

5.4 mi 8.7 km • Out and Back • 864 ft Ascent 263.28 m Ascent

Singletrack Nederland, CO

( 45 )

Mount Audubon

7.7 mi 12.4 km • Out and Back • 2,662 ft Ascent 811.3 m Ascent

Singletrack Nederland, CO

( 33 )

Long Lake Loop

3.6 mi 5.8 km • Loop • 294 ft Ascent 89.63 m Ascent

Singletrack Nederland, CO

( 17 )

Hell Canyon Loop

17.0 mi 27.4 km • Point to Point • 4,221 ft Ascent 1286.71 m Ascent

Singletrack Granby, CO

( 7 )

Rainbow Lakes

2.5 mi 4.0 km • Out and Back • 293 ft Ascent 89.29 m Ascent

Singletrack Nederland, CO

( 8 )

Red Deer Lake

14.2 mi 22.9 km • Out and Back • 1,725 ft Ascent 525.85 m Ascent

Singletrack Nederland, CO

( 13 )

Junco Lake Loop

22.2 mi 35.8 km • Point to Point • 4,972 ft Ascent 1515.48 m Ascent

Singletrack Fraser, CO

( 6 )

Columbine Lake with crystal clear reflection

Columbine Lake Out-and-Back

6.4 mi 10.3 km • Loop • 978 ft Ascent 298 m Ascent

Singletrack Fraser, CO

( 5 )

Trails in Indian Peaks Wilderness - 37

Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Add Your Trails

8.0 mi 12.8 km #1Pawnee Pass Trail Intermediate/Difficult Nederland, CO	Intermediate/Difficult	8.0 mi 12.8 km	Nederland, CO	21
7.9 mi 12.8 km #2Arapaho Glacier Trail Intermediate/Difficult Nederland, CO	Intermediate/Difficult	7.9 mi 12.8 km	Nederland, CO	16
2.1 mi 3.3 km #3Isabelle Glacier Trail Intermediate/Difficult Nederland, CO	Intermediate/Difficult	2.1 mi 3.3 km	Nederland, CO	21
3.6 mi 5.9 km #4Diamond Lake Trail Easy/Intermediate Nederland, CO	Easy/Intermediate	3.6 mi 5.9 km	Nederland, CO	17
13.1 mi 21.1 km #5Arapaho Pass Trail Intermediate/Difficult Nederland, CO	Intermediate/Difficult	13.1 mi 21.1 km	Nederland, CO	8
4.2 mi 6.8 km #6Caribou Pass Trail #11 Intermediate/Difficult Fraser, CO	Intermediate/Difficult	4.2 mi 6.8 km	Fraser, CO	7
12.1 mi 19.5 km #7High Lonesome Trail Intermediate/Difficult Fraser, CO	Intermediate/Difficult	12.1 mi 19.5 km	Fraser, CO	6
15.0 mi 24.2 km #8Buchanan Pass Trail Intermediate Nederland, CO	Intermediate	15.0 mi 24.2 km	Nederland, CO	5
6.3 mi 10.2 km #9Cascade Trail Difficult Granby, CO	Difficult	6.3 mi 10.2 km	Granby, CO	3
1.1 mi 1.8 km #10Crater Lake Trail Intermediate Granby, CO	Intermediate	1.1 mi 1.8 km	Granby, CO	2
12.6 mi 20.3 km #11CDT: Monarch Lake to Grand Lake (CO Sec. 35) Easy/Intermediate Grand Lake, CO	Easy/Intermediate	12.6 mi 20.3 km	Grand Lake, CO	1
1.0 mi 1.7 km #12Airplane Gully Route Difficult Nederland, CO	Difficult	1.0 mi 1.7 km	Nederland, CO	4
0.7 mi 1.1 km #13St. Vrain Summit Trail Difficult Nederland, CO	Difficult	0.7 mi 1.1 km	Nederland, CO	1
0.5 mi 0.7 km #14South Arapaho Peak Southeast Ridge Difficult Nederland, CO	Difficult	0.5 mi 0.7 km	Nederland, CO	1
16.5 mi 26.5 km #15Mad Moose Marathon Intermediate Nederland, CO	Intermediate	16.5 mi 26.5 km	Nederland, CO	1
6.8 mi 11.0 km #16Devil's Thumb Trail #902 Intermediate/Difficult Nederland, CO	Intermediate/Difficult	6.8 mi 11.0 km	Nederland, CO	5
2.6 mi 4.1 km #17Woodland Lake Trail Intermediate/Difficult Nederland, CO	Intermediate/Difficult	2.6 mi 4.1 km	Nederland, CO	7
4.4 mi 7.1 km #18King Lake Trail Intermediate Nederland, CO	Intermediate	4.4 mi 7.1 km	Nederland, CO	5
2.0 mi 3.2 km #19Watanga Lake Trail Intermediate/Difficult Grand Lake, CO	Intermediate/Difficult	2.0 mi 3.2 km	Grand Lake, CO	3
6.4 mi 10.3 km #20Saint Vrain Mountain Trail #915 Intermediate/Difficult Estes Park, CO	Intermediate/Difficult	6.4 mi 10.3 km	Estes Park, CO	3