Rocky Mountain National ParkBackcountry Wilderness Camping Guide
Planning your tripThe first step in planning your trip is to decide where you want to camp and for what length of time. We suggest you purchase a Rocky Mountain National Park topographical map to choose a destination and route. You can then use the map on the inside of this guide, to select backcountry campsites. As you plan your trip, take into consideration the physical condition of the least experienced member of your party, and the distance and elevation gain from the trailhead to your destination.
Rocky Mountain National Park is a high elevation park. If you live at sea level, it will take you several days to become acclimated to this elevation. Most trails begin above 7,000 feet (2,000 meters) and climb abruptly higher. If you are not acclimated, you can get high altitude sickness. Rangers recommend that you spend at least one night at 7,000 or 8,000 feet (2,000 or 2,500 meters) prior to setting out. This will allow your body to begin to adjust to the elevation.
When you visit or call the park, discuss your plans with a ranger. Find out whether snow has melted from the trails and destination where you wish to hike. Check the weather forecast before starting on your trip. Be aware that mountain weather changes very quickly. Within just a few hours, bright sunny skies may give way to raging storms. High winds often occur in the high country. Wind chill accelerates the lowering of body temperature which can result in hypothermia.
Proper clothing is your first line of defense against cold. Plan to dress in layers so you can regulate your temperature by bundling up or peeling down. Be sure to pack rain and storm gear.Remember, you assume complete responsibility for your own safety and that of your group while hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Welcome to the backcountry wilderness of Rocky Mountain National Park. We hope you will use this guide to plan a safe, enjoyable and memorable trip. This guide includes information on how to plan for your trip, obtain a backcountry permit, use the trails, set up camp, hike in a cross-country area, and care for the backcountry.
There are many sources on backcountry hiking and camping. Publications and maps may be ordered by contacting the Rocky Mountain Nature Association at www.rmna.org or calling (970) 586-0121.
Take the time to learn the seven Leave No Trace ethics, how to backpack safely, and how to care for the environment. Always remember this is your park. Its 265,828 acres are a resource for not only you but many future generations. Because the backcountry regions of the park have greatly increased in popularity over the last few years, we need to enlist your support as “keepers of the royal lands,” the historic charge given to park rangers.
We hope you enjoy your stay in one of America’s premier backpacking destinations.
Backcountry waterfall
PERMIT PARAMETERS
Designated sites • Individual sites: For parties of one to seven people. Each party is assigned one campsite. Each camping area has one to six sites. We recommend you travel in small parties as fewer people per site leave less impact on Rocky’s fragile backcountry.• Group sites: For parties of eight to 12 people. Groups must camp at special sites. Because of impact caused by group interaction in and between sites (site spread, social trails, etc.), groups over seven persons may not camp in neighboring individual sites but must use group sites or split up and camp at least one mile apart. • No more than three consecutive nights in one camp area.
Cross-country AreasCross-country areas are the least traveled and least accessible places in Rocky Mountain National Park. Stock are not permitted to travel in these areas. Those who travel here must be skilled with a map and compass and must be proficient in Leave No Trace camping and hiking ethics and techniques.Cross-country areas are remote areas characterized by rugged terrain, dense forests, icy streams and wet bogs. These areas are below treeline. Fires are not allowed. There are no developed campsites, no developed trails, and no pit toilets.The following regulations and guidelines, in addition to those listed above, apply to cross-country area campers. • Have no more than seven people in your party.• Plan more hiking time to get to your destination than if you were on a trail.• Use a portable stove for cooking.• Stay within the boundaries of the cross-country area.• Camp at least 70 adult steps (200 feet/60 meters) away from any water source. • Be out of sight and sound of any other party.• Move your camp at least one mile (1.6 kilometers) each day.• No more than two consecutive nights in one cross-country area.
THE PERMITYou must have a backcountry permit to camp overnight in the backcountry of Rocky Mountain National Park. You can pick one up at the Headquarters Backcountry Office (beside the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center on Highway 36 west of Estes Park, CO) or at the Kawuneeche Visitor Center (Highway 34, north of Grand Lake, CO).
To minimize impact on the park’s resources, the number of permits issued is limited.
Write: Rocky Mountain National Park Backcountry Office 1000 W. Hwy 36 Estes Park, CO 80517 Call: (970) 586-1242 TTY: (970) 586-1319
For reservations, use the attached “Trip Planning Worksheet” (page 7) or a separate piece paper: • Include your name, address, zip code and telephone number. • List an itinerary with dates corresponding to campsites or cross-country areas where you plan to stay. If you plan to stay in a cross-country area, indicate the area(s) where you wishto camp.• Specify the number of people that will be in your party. (Limit of seven per party for individual campsites and cross-country areas. Limit of eight to 12 per party for group campsites.)
There is a $20 administrative fee for permits during peak season periods (non-refundable and non-exchangeable). Fees are not to be sent when requesting reservations, but are payable (by exact cash or check or credit card) when the permit is issued.
During the winter and early spring, when the backcountry is not as frequently used, you may self-register at the Wild Basin Entrance, Longs Peak Ranger Station, Dunraven Trailhead, and Fall River and Beaver Meadows entrance stations.During the busy summer months, if you have a permit reservation, you must pick up the permit by 10 a.m. on the first day of your planned backcountry stay; otherwise, the permit will be canceled in its entirety, and given to other backpackers. If you know you will not be using your permit, please cancel your reservation as soon as possible.
June through September, campers may stay in the backcountry for a maximum of 7 nights. October through May, campers may stay in the backcountry a maximum of 14 nights with no more than a total of 21 nights per year.
How to Use the PermitYour permit is a contract between you and the National Park Service stating that you agree to treat the backcountry with respect and that you will take care of the wilderness.
You will see backcountry regulations on the back of each permit. Read, understand, sign, and obey them. The Backcountry Use Permit must be easily accessible and with you at all times. A Tent Tag must be displayed on the outside of your pack while hiking to your campsite and on your tent at the campsite.The permit indicates the number of people in your party, and specifies a campsite for each night you are in the backcountry. You must stick with your planned itinerary so that campsites do not become overcrowded and overused.
In addition to a permit, you will receive a dash tag, to be placed on the dashboard of your vehicle. Since overnight parking is only allowed with a backcountry permit, failure to properly display a dash tag may result in a citation and/or a towing fee. Backcountry Guide 2
Mount Ypsilon
March 1 thru May 15
By mail or in person May 16 thru Sept. 30
May 16 thru Sept 30
Jan 1 thru May 15Oct 1 thru Dec 31
By mail or in person
By phone, mail or in person
By phone, mail or in person
Reservations forWinter, Spring, &Fall Permits:
Reservations for Summer Permits:
Climbers and Bivouac CampsIf you plan to bivouac, you must obtain a bivy permit.
The following rules apply for bivouacs:• You may have no more than four people in your party. • All in the party must climb. • You must bivy in the area specified on your permit. • Bivys must be on rock or snow. • Bivys must be set up at dusk and taken down by dawn. • No tents or structures are permitted.• Fires are not allowed.• Helmets are advised for climbing. • No more than three consecutive nights in one bivy area.
Sprague Lake Camp This is a special wheelchair-accessible backcountry campsite near Sprague Lake. It is ½ - mile (one kilometer) from the trailhead to the campsite.
The camp accommodates up to 12 campers including a maximum of five wheelchair users.
To make reservations please read the section entitled THE PERMIT.
Packing with Horses or LlamasThere are special campsites and rules for overnight camping with stock. Some trails are closed to stock use. Call (970) 586-1206 or (970) 586-1242 for information about packing with stock. Ask for the Horse and Pack Animals brochure.
“When in the wilds, we must not carry our problems with us or the joyis lost.” -Sigurd Olson
Backcountry Guide 3
THE BACKCOUNTRY TRIPSetting outBefore you leave home, always tell someone your trip itinerary and when you are planning to return.
Allow plenty of time for your trip. Consider the distance you plan to travel, the elevation of the trailhead and your destination, the amount of weight you are carrying, your physical condition, current and forecasted weather, and the hours of daylight remaining.
Remember: • Avoid taking excess foods to trailheads, as bears have been known to break into cars for food and scented items.• At trailheads store food in food storage lockers where provided.• Properly display your permit and vehicle dash tag.• Read the trailhead bulletin board.• Falling trees are an ever present hazard especially during windy or snowy conditions.• Plan to be off summits early in the day to avoid thunder and lightning storms. Prepare for unexpected wind gusts on exposed areas and ledges.• Streams, lakes and waterfalls can be dangerous and deadly at any time of year, especially during high runoff in May and June as well as after thunderstorms. Keep your distance from stream and river banks because powerful currents exist. Provide proper supervision for children. Use caution in winter when crossing rivers.• Hunting and recreational use of firearms are prohibited. Possession of firearms must comply with federal and state laws.• Pets and vehicles (including mountain bikes) are not permitted in the backcountry.• Bring insect repellent to fend off mosquitoes. Check frequently for ticks. • Hike on the trail and hike single-file. Resist the temptation to walk off the trail when it is muddy. Mud will flake off your boots much sooner than trampled plants will grow back.• Never shortcut switchbacks.• Pick up litter you find along the way.• Horses and llamas have the right-of-way. Step off the trail on the downhill side and stand quietly until the stock passes.• Never leave food unattended or unsecured from wildlife.• Never feed wildlife as this can be hazardous.• Do not disturb any flowers or plants.
Please Respect the Fragile Tundra Alpine tundra vegetation is hardy. These plants survive extreme cold, strong winds, intense ultraviolet radiation, and very low humidity. Although these plants are tough, they cannot withstand repeated trampling. It takes 100 years for many alpine tundra plants to grow an inch.
Where there are no maintained trails and in undeveloped places, you may walk across the alpine tundra, in contrast to below treeline, in the tundra you do not walk in single file. Spread out, so that your foot prints are not concentrated on a small area, and rock-hop rather than stepping on vegetation.Trail through aspen grove
Moss Campion
Note: • A Dispersed Camping Zone (DCZ) is similar to a Cross-country Area, except that
you may stay three consecutive nights, and you do not have to move each night.• Mileages listed are from the nearest trailhead (not all trailheads are listed).• All sites are stoves only unless designated (WF), where wood fires are permitted in grates provided at the site and no fire ban is in effect. Use dead and
down wood only.• The higher the elevation the later the site melts out from snow. For
current conditions contact the Backcountry Office (970) 586-1242.
Rocky Mountain National Park
West Side
West Side Code Campsite Name Number of sites Distance Elevation individual /group in miles in feet
East Inlet Area East Inlet Trailhead 8,390061 East Meadow 1 1.5 8,550062 Lower East Inlet 1 2.3 8,640063 Cat’s Lair 1 4.0 9,200064 Gray Jay Group 1 4.9 9,650065 Slickrock 1 6.0 10,000066 Solitaire 1 6.2 10,120067 Upper East Inlet 1 6.6 10,200068 Lake Verna 1 6.9 10,280North Inlet Area North Inlet Trailhead 8,540069 Summerland Park 1 1 1.6 8,610070 Twinberry 1 3.0 8,680071 Cascade Falls (Closed) 072 Big Pool 2 5.0 9,160073 Grouseberry 1 6.2 9,250074 North Inlet Group (stock) (WF) 1 6.5 9,290075 Foot Bridge (Closed) 076 Ptarmigan 1 6.7 9,360077 Porcupine (WF) 2 6.8 9,360078 North Inlet Junction 2 7.5 9,600079 North Inlet Falls 1 7.6 9,540080 Pine Marten 2 7.8 9,560081 July 3 1 9.7 10,760Tonahutu Area Tonahutu Trailhead 8,540 Green Mountain Trailhead 8,800082 Green Mountain 1 1.8 9,550083 Paint Brush 1 2.3 9,400084 South Meadows 1 2.0 9,450085 Big Meadows Group 1 1.9 9,400086 Sunset 1 3.0 9,550087 Sunrise 1 3.5 9,600088 Lower Granite Falls 2 5.1 9,760089 Granite Falls 2 5.4 9,840090 Tonahutu Meadows 2 6.2 10,050091 Tonahutu Group (stock) (WF) 1 6.6 10,160092 Renegade 1 7.3 10,500093 Haynach (1 llama) 2 7.2 10,760094 Timberline Group 1 7.4 10,570095 Onahu Creek 1 2.4 9,480096 Upper Onahu 1 2.8 9,600097 Onahu Bridge 1 2.9 9,650Timber Lake Area Timber Lake Trailhead 9,010098 Timber Creek 2 3.0 10,400099 Jackstraw 2 4.0 10,760100 Rockslide 1 4.5 10,960101 Snowbird 2 4.6 11,010Never Summer Area Colorado River Trailhead 9,000102 Valley View 1 3.2 10,260105 Red Gulch Group (Closed) 106 Hitchens Gulch 1 5.8 10,480107 Dutch Town (Closed) 108 Stage Road (Closed) 109 Ditch Camp (group/stock) 1 1 4.6 10,160110 Skeleton Gulch 1 6.2 10,600111 Box Canyon (Closed) 112 La Poudre Pass 1 6.7 10,200Hague Creek Area Corral Creek Trailhead 10,000113 Cache 1 5.6 10,150114 Chapin Creek Group 1 6.1 10,240115 Hague Creek (group/stock) 1 1 1.6 9,720116 Desolation (Closed) 117 Flatiron 1 2.9 9,860118 Mummy Pass Creek (WF) 1 4.6 10,640119 Koenig (stock) (Closed) 120 Mirror Lake 3 6.0 11,000
Code Name Number parties1H Cascade Creek 22H Hague Creek 53H Cache La Poudre 32J Mosquito Creek 11K Onahu Creek 11L Nakai Peak 12L Mount Patterson 31M North Inlet 42M Ptarmigan Creek 13M Upper North Inlet 24M Ptarmigan Mountain 21N Mount Enentah 13N Echo Creek 21P Columbine Creek 4
Backcountry Designated Campsites
Cross-country Areas
Echo Creek
Columbine Creek
3N
1P
NorthTelephoneBoat launch
Overlook
Self-guidingnature trail
Accessible
Livery
Picnic area
0 1 2
0 1 2 3 Miles
3 Kilometers
Generalized landcover inRocky Mountain National Park
Distanceindicator
Glacier
Alpine tundra
Forest or meadow
34
34
34
49
491
491
492
7
7
7
7
34
34
36
36
36
34
66
72
40 119
14
00
Corral
Will
ow
Cree
k
Chapin
Timber
Colorado River
Gor
ge
Big
Thompson
River
Lakes
GRAND
DITCH
Creek
Beav
er
Creek
Creek
Cree
k
North
Inlet
Tona
hutu
Colo
ra
do Supply Creek
Willow
Willow
Creek
Creek Pump Canal
Rive
r
Ona
hu
Cache l
a Poudre R
iver
Creek
Creek
SnowLake
LakeAgnes
Lake ofthe Clouds
ParikaLake
PoudreLake
Timber Lake
ForestLake
DoughnutLake
InkwellLake
AzureLake
JulianLake
BowenLake
BlueLake
HaynachLake
HaydenLake
LonesomeLake
RainbowLake
PtarmiganLake
BenchLake
GraniteFalls
CascadeFalls
HighestLake
Arrowhead Lake
GRAND
DITCH
MirrorLake
CrystalLake
LawnLake
SpectacleLakes
Ypsilon Lake
ChasmFalls
ChiquitaLake
Marys Lake
LilyLake
LakeLouise
LakeHusted Lost
Lake
LostFallsLake
Dunraven
Hague
Fork Thompson North
River
Big
West
Creek
Rive
r
Roarin
g
Creek
Cache la Poudre River
Bridal Veil Falls
CubLake
FernFalls
ThePool
SpruceLake
MargueriteFalls
GraceFalls
Fern Lake
OdessaLake
LakeHelene
EmeraldLake
Nymph Lake
TheLoch
SkyPond
Pettingell Lake
LakeNokoni
AdamsFalls
Falls
Lake Nanita
LakeVerna
StrawberryLake
AdamsLake
LonePineLake
WillowCreekReservoir
SpiritLake
FourthLake
FifthLake
Lake OfGlass
BlackLake
Peacock PoolChasm Lake
Columbine Falls
Copeland Lake
FrozenLake
Lion LakeNo 1
Lion LakeNo 2
Snowbank Lake
SandbeachLake
ThunderLake
PearLakeCony
Lake
FinchLake
BluebirdLake
OuzelLake
CalypsoCascades
OuzelFalls
CopelandFalls
BierstadtLake
DreamLake
AlbertaFalls
TimberlineFalls
RibbonFalls
TrioFalls
MillsLake
LakeHaiyaha
WestCreek
Falls
GemLake
Dry
Gul
ch
Fish
C
reek
Cow
Fall
River
Big
River
Thom
pson
Creek
Gla
cie
r Cre
ek
North St Vrain
Creek
Cony
Creek
Ouzel
Creek
Middle
Hutcheson
Colorado
Rive
r
Colorado River
Lakes
Roaring
Arapaho
Rain
bow
Bay
Bay
Columbine
East
Inlet
Creek
Fo
rk
St Vrain
Creek
Mill
Boul
der
Broo
k
Creek
Michigan Lakes
L A K E G R A N B Y
LONG DRAW RESERVOIR
Monarch Lake
GRAND LAKE8367ft2550m
LAKE ESTES
SHADOW MOUNTAIN
LAKE
RoweGlacier
TyndallGlacier
SpragueGlacier
AndrewsGlacier
Mills Glacier
TaylorGlacier
MoomawGlacier
St Vrain Glaciers
Alva B. Adams Tunnel
(water diversion str
ucture)
Rams Horn
Tunnel
Pros
pect
Mtn
Tun
nel
ARAPAHO NATIONAL RECREATION AREA
2mi3km
3mi5km
6mi9km
1mi2km
3mi5km
2mi3km
9mi 14km
19mi31km
12mi19km
8mi13km
2mi3km
4mi6km
5mi 8km
5mi8km
Road closed from here west to Colorado River Trailhead
mid-October to Memorial Day
One-way up only; closed in winter
Road closed from hereeast to Many Parks Curve
mid-October to JuneNE
VE
R
S
UM
ME
R
M
OU
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AI N
S
SHIP
LER
PARK
BOX CANYON
YELL
OWST
ONE
LITTL
E
SKELETON GULCH
BAKER GULCH
MU
M
MY
R A N G E
B L A C K
C A N Y O N
LON
G M
EAD
OW
S
BIG
M
EAD
OW
S
BLUE RID
GE
KA
WU
NE
EC
HE
VA
L L E Y
GLA
CIER
GO
RG
E
TAH
OSA
VA
LLEY BO
ULD
ER
F IEL
D
L U M P Y R I D G E HORSESHOE
PARK F OR E S T
C A N Y ON
TR
AI L R
I DG
E
HIDDEN VALLEY
CANYON
BIGHORN FLATS
SPRUCE
MORAINE PARK
PARADISE PARK
TA
BL
E M
OU
NT
AI N
GR
EE
N R
I DG
E
Mummy Pass Trail
North Fork
North
Boundary
Lawn
Lake
Tra
il
Fern
Lake Trail
Ute Trail
North Longs
Peak
Trail
Trail
Storm
Pass
East
Bluebird
Thunder Lake Trail
Lake
Lon
gs
P
eak
Trail
Trail
Trail
Timber Lake Trail
Ona
hu
Creek
Green
Tonahutu
Trail
Trail
North
Inlet Trail
East
Inlet Trail
Trail
Creek
Mountain
Shadow
Divide
Continental
National
Scenic
Trail
Divide Continental Natio
nal
Scenic
Trail
Mtn Trail
Colo
rado
Ri
ver
Ute Trail
Trai
l
Red Mtn
Trail
Flattop Mtn Trail
Continental DivideNational Scenic Trail
Divide
Continental N
ational Scenic Trail
Tonahutu SpurTrail
Trail
Knight
Ridge
Trail
Poudre R
iver
Tra
il
Devils
Marys Lake Rd
Bear Lake Rd
Gul
ch
Road
Old Fall River Road
Trail
Ridge Road
Trail Ridge Road
By-Pass
MacGregorAvenue
Beaver MeadowsVisitor Center
Moraine ParkVisitor Center
AlpineVisitor Center
Fall RiverVisitor Center
KawuneecheVisitor Center
ToFort Collins
To
ToWalden
ToGranby and To
and Nederland
Cameron Pass
ThunderPass
Site ofLulu City
HolzwarthHistoricSite
Site ofEugenia Mine
La Poudre Pass Trailhead
ThunderMountain12070 ft3679 m
Mummy Pass11440 ft3487 m
Stormy Peaks12135ft3699m
Signal Mountain11262 ft3433 m
Stormy PeaksPass
Flatiron Mountain12335 ft3760 m
Fairchild Mountain13502 ft4115 m
Mount Chiquita13069 ft3983 m
Mount Chapin12454 ft3796 m
SpecimenMountain12489 ft3807 m
JackstrawMountain11704 ft3567 m
Terra Tomah Mountain12718 ft3876 m
Stones Peak12922 ft3939 m
Mount Julian12928 ft3940 m
Thatchtop12668 ft3861 m
Powell Peak13208 ft4026 m
McHenrysPeak13327ft4062m
Storm Peak13326 ft4062 m
Granite Pass
Longs Peak14259 ft4346 m
Chiefs HeadPeak13579 ft4139 m
Copeland Mountain13176 ft4016 m
Ogalalla Peak13138ft4004m
Watanga Mountain12375 ft3772 m
Mount Adams12121 ft3694 m
Twin Peaks11957 ft3644 m
Mount Acoma10508 ft3203 m
MeadowMountain
11632 ft3545 m
St Vrain Mountain12162 ft3707 m
MountLadyWashington
Flattop Mtn12324 ft3756 m
Taylor Peak13153 ft4009 m
Ptarmigan Mountain12324 ft3756 m
Andrews Peak12565 ft3830 m
Mount Craig12007 ft3660 m
Mount Bryant11034 ft3363 m
Shadow Mountain10155 ft3095 m
Lookouttower
Isolation Peak13118 ft3998 m
Ouzel Peak12716 ft3876 m
Mount Alice13310 ft4057 m Pilot
Mountain
TanimaPeak
Boulder-GrandPass
Hallett Peak12713 ft3875 m
OtisPeak
Mount Ida12880 ft3926 m
Nakai Peak12216 ft3723 m
Mount Patterson11424 ft3482 m
Snowdrift Peak12274 ft3741 m
Green Mtn10313 ft3143 m
Apiatan Mountain10319 ft3145 m
Mount Cumulus12725 ft3879 m
Mount Nimbus12706 ft3873 m
Mount Stratus12480 ft3804 m
Baker Mountain12397 ft3779 m
Howard Mountain12810 ft3904 m
Red Mountain11605ft3537m
BowenMountain12524 ft3817 m
Mineral Point11488 ft3502 m
Sundance Mountain12466 ft3800 m
Highest pointon road12183 ft3713 m
Iceberg Pass
StormPass
Meeker Park
Allenspark
PeacefulValley
Ypsilon Mountain13514 ft4119 m
Desolation Peaks12949 ft3947m
Hagues Peak13560 ft4133 m
Mummy Mountain13425ft4092m
Dark Mountain10859 ft3310 m
The Needles10068 ft3069 m
The TwinOwls
Bighorn Mountain11463 ft3494 m
ProspectMountain
8900 ft2713 m
GianttrackMountain
9091 ft2771 m
LilyMtn
9786 ft2983 m
Estes Cone1100 6ft3355 m
Mount Meeker13911 ft4240 m
Pagoda Mountain13497 ft4114 m
Mount Orton11724 ft3573 m
Rams HornMountain9553 ft2912 m
Twin Sisters Peaks11428 ft3483 m
Deer Mtn10013 ft3052 m
ToLoveland
ToLyons and
Boulder
ToLyons and
Boulder
Dunraven / North Fork Trailhead
Cow Creek Trailhead
Lumpy Ridge Trailhead
Lawn Lake Trailhead
Deer MtnTrailhead
Upper BeaverMeadows Trailhead
Hollowell Park Trailhead
Chapin CreekTrailhead
Cub Lake Trailhead
BierstadtLake
TrailheadStorm
PassTrailhead
GlacierGorge
Trailhead
GlacierBasin
Wild BasinTrailhead
Olive Ridge
Camp Dick
PeacefulValley
Bear LakeTrailhead
Lily Lake Trailhead
Park & Ride
YMCAConference
Center
Fern LakeTrailhead
Longs PeakTrailhead
SandbeachLakeTrailhead
Wild BasinEntrance Station
FinchLakeTrailhead
LongsPeakTents only
Tundra CommunitiesTrailhead
Coyote Valley Trailhead
Timber Lake Trailhead
Bowen/Baker Trailhead
HarbisonMeadows
Beaver Ponds
Onahu Trailhead
Green MountainTrailhead
GrandLakeEntranceStation
East InletTrailhead
Tonahutu/North InletTrailheads
East ShoreTrailhead
Pine Beach
ShadowMountain
Cutthroat Bay(group campground)
Stillwater
Sunset Point
Quinette Point
RainbowBay
Arapaho Bay-Roaring Fork LoopKnight Ridge Trailhead
Willow Creek
Arapaho Bay-Big Rock Loop
Arapaho Bay-Moraine Loop
GranbyDam
GreenRidge
West Portal
SummerlandPark
GRANDLAKE
ColoradoRiver
Trailhead
Many Parks Curve
Moraine Park
Rock Cut
ForestCanyon
Lava Cliffs
Fall River Pass
Alpine Ridge Trail
Milner Pass 10758 ft 3279m
MedicineBowCurve
GoreRange
Lake Irene
Farview Curve
TimberCreek
SheepMountain
GlenHaven
Rowe Peak
Comanche Peak 12702 ft 3872 m
Mount Richthofen12940 ft3944 m
Tepee Mountain12568 ft3831 m
Lead Mountain12537 ft3821 m
Mount Cirrus12797 ft3901 m
Long Draw Road
BOWEN GULCH
ESTES PARKBeaverMeadowsEntranceStation
Aspenglen
Sheep Lakes
Endovalley
AlluvialFan
RainbowCurve
BeaverPonds West
Horseshoe Park
HOLLOWELLPARK
Deer RidgeJunction
PIERSONPARK
East Portal Trailhead
Continental
Cont
inen
tal
Divide
Cont
inen
ta
l Divide
Div
ide
NPS/USFS
Corral CreekTrailhead
Long Draw
C O N S E R V A T I O N
E A S E M E N T
ShadowMountain
Dam
8720 ft / 2658 mOpen all year
Seasonal
Open all yearPark Headquarters7840 ft / 2390 m
Fall RiverEntrance Station
8240 ft / 2511 m
SeasonalSnack bar
11796 ft3595 m
Twin Sisters Trailhead
LilyMountainTrailhead
W I L D E R N E S S
W I L D E R N E S S
WILDERNESSWILDERNESS
(SCENIC
AND W
ILD
RIV
ER)
W I L D E R N E S S
AllensparkTrailhead
Sprague Lake Trailhead
Closed
50
45
81
59 Pear Creek
6058
56
57Upper Ouzel Creek
Finch Lake (group/stock)Pear Lake
Ouzel Lake
52 51
49
55
54
464748
Pine Ridge
Tahosa
Aspen Knoll (llama)
53Siskin North St. Vrain
Thunder Lake (1 indiv/stock) Sandbeach Lake
Hunters CreekBeaver Mill
Campers Creek
Hole-in-the-Wall
6867
66
65
64
63
61
Slickrock
Gray Jay Group
Cat’s Lair
East Meadow Lake Verna
Upper East Inlet
Solitaire
8079
7877
69
71
76
74
72
44
43
42
41
40
39
38
37
36 35
A1
Summerland Park
Cascade Falls Big Pool
North Inlet Group (stock)
Ptarmigan
Porcupine (WF)
North Inlet Junction
North Inlet Falls Pine Marten
July
Boulderfield
Battle Mountain Group
Goblins Forest
Moore Park
Sprague Lake Camp
Andrews Creek
Glacier Gorge
Boulder Brook
Upper Wind River
Over The Hill
Wind River Bluff
25
27
23
97
3431
32
3330
28
29
22
21
18
19
15
16
17
13
14
114
117
115
113
119 118
120
8 7
9
10
1211
6 54
3
2
1
105
102
107 106
108
110 109
111
112
100 10199
82
88
92
91
8485
86 8789
93
94
9095
96
98
Boundary Creek (WF)
Kettle Tarn Closed
Silvanmere (WF)
Halfway (WF)
Aspen Meadow Group (WF)
Happily Lost (WF)Lost Falls (WF)
Sugarloaf
Stormy Peaks South
Stormy Peaks
Lost Meadow (group/stock)
Lost Lake
Lawn Lake (1 indiv/stock)
Tileston Meadows
Lower Tileston
Bighorn Mt. (group/stock)
Golden Banner
CutbankUpper Chipmunk
McGregor Mt.
Rabbit Ears
Peregrine
Ute Meadow (llama)
Old Forest InnCub Creek
Fern Lake
Spruce Lake
Odessa Lake
Sourdough
Mill Creek Basin
Upper Mill Creek
Green Mountain
South MeadowsBig Meadows Group
Sunset
Sunrise
Lower Granite Falls
Granite Falls
Tonahutu Meadows
Tonahutu Group (stock) (WF)
Renegade
Haynach (1 llama)
Timberline Group
Onahu Creek
Upper OnahuOnahu Bridge
Timber Creek
Jackstraw
Rockslide
Snowbird
Valley View
Red Gulch Group
Hitchens Gulch DCZDutch Town
Stage Road Closed
Ditch Camp (group/stock)Skeleton Gulch
Box Canyon
La Poudre Pass
Chapin Creek GroupCache
Hague Creek (group/stock)
Flatiron
Mummy Pass Creek (WF)
Koenig (stock)Mirror Lake
1P Columbine Creek
3N Echo Creek
EASTWEST
1k Onahu Creek
1L Nakai Peak
2L Mt. Patterson
1M North Inlet
1N Mt. Enentah
4M
Ptarmigan Mountain
3MUpper North Inlet
1GHunters Creek
2GCony Creek
2DUpper Forest Canyon
3DLower Forest Canyon4D Hayden Gorge
24Little Rock Lake
2J Mosquito Creek
2C Chiquita Creek
2B Cow Creek
1B Mt. Dickinson
3H Cache La Poudre
2H Hague Creek
1H Cascade Creek
1A South Cache La Poudre
Ranger station
Restrooms
Emergency telephone
Campground
Paved Road
Unpaved road
Trailhead
00Backcountry DesignatedCampsites
CrosscountryAreas
‘
83Paintbrush
Closed
Closed
73
Grouseberry
70
Granite Falls
Twinberry
62Lower East Inlet
26 Arch Rock
East SideCode Campsite Name Number of sites Distance Elevation
individual /group in miles in feet North Fork Area
Dunraven Trailhead 7,960 001 Boundary Creek (WF) 2 4.6 9,120 002 Kettle Tarn (Closed) 003 Silvanmere (WF) 2 5.6 9,360 004 Halfway (WF) 2 5.6 9,340 005 Aspen Meadow Group (WF) 1 5.9 9,520 006 Happily Lost (WF) 3 6.2 9,560 007 Lost Falls (WF) 2 6.7 9,600 008 Sugarloaf 1 8.2 10,290 009 Stormy Peaks South 1 8.6 10,840 010 Stormy Peaks 1 11.0 10,710 011 Lost Meadow (group/stock) 1 1 8.4 10,420 012 Lost Lake 4 9.7 10,710 Mummy Range Area Lawn Lake Trailhead 8,540 Lumpy Ridge/Cow Creek Trailheads 7,840 013 Rabbit Ears 1 1.4 8,100 014 Peregrine 1 2.0 8,480 015 McGregor Mt. 2 4.6 9,040 016 Bighorn Mt. (group/stock) 1 6.8 10,320 017 Lower Tileston 1 6.6 10,650 018 Tileston Meadows 2 6.3 10,800 019 Upper Chipmunk 2 4.2 10,640 021 Cutbank 1 2.4 9,620 022 Golden Banner 2 2.5 9,600 023 Lawn Lake (1 indiv/stock) 5 6.2 10,990
Gorge Lakes Area Milner Pass Trailhead 10,760 024 Little Rock Lake 1 6.0 10,280
Bear Lake Area Bear Lake Trailhead 9,475 Glacier Gorge Trailhead 9,240 Fern/Cub Lake Trailheads 8,150 025 Ute Meadow (llama) 1 2.7 9,450 026 Arch Rock 1 1.6 8,240 027 Old Forest Inn 2 1.7 8,400 028 Fern Lake 4 1 3.8 9,530 029 Spruce Lake 2 4.6 9,670 030 Odessa Lake 2 4.1 10,020 031 Sourdough 1 2.5 10,600 032 Cub Creek 1 2.2 8,600 033 Mill Creek Basin 1 1.8 9,000 034 Upper Mill Creek 1 1.7 9,200 035 Wind River Bluff 1 1.0 8,800 036 Over the Hill 1 1.3 8,870 037 Upper Wind River 1 1.6 8,940 038 Boulder Brook ` 2 1 3.9 10,200 039 Glacier Gorge 1 3.8 10,000 040 Andrews Creek 1 3.6 10,560 A1 Sprague Lake Camp (WF) 1 0.5 8,730
Longs Peak Area Longs Peak Trailhead 9,404 041 Moore Park 2 1.7 9,760 042 Goblins Forest 6 1.2 10,120 043 Battle Mountain Group 1 2.8 11,000 044 Boulderfield (by tent) 9 6.0 12,760
Wild Basin Area Wild Basin/Finch Lake Trailheads 8,500 Sandbeach Lake Trailhead 8,310 045 Hole-in-the-Wall 1 1.9 9,240 046 Campers Creek 1 2.3 9,600 047 Beaver Mill 1 3.0 9,640 048 Hunters Creek 1 3.3 9,760 049 Sandbeach Lake 4 1 4.2 10,280 050 Pine Ridge 2 1.4 8,880 051 Tahosa 1 1.7 9,040 052 Aspen Knoll (llama) 1 2.3 9,400 053 Siskin 1 3.7 9,600 054 North St. Vrain 2 3.5 9,560 055 Thunder Lake (1 indiv/stock) 4 1 6.8 10,570 056 Ouzel Lake 1 4.9 10,020 057 Upper Ouzel Creek 1 5.6 10,600 058 Finch Lake (group/stock) 2 1 4.6 9,910 059 Pear Creek 3 6.4 10,550 060 Pear Lake 1 6.6 10,580
Rocky Mountain National Park
East SideCode Name Number parties1A South Cache La Poudre 1 1B Mount Dickinson 2 2B Cow Creek 2 2C Chiquita Creek 12D Upper Forest Canyon 3 3D Lower Forest Canyon 44D Hayden Gorge 11G Hunters Creek 12G Cony Creek 1
Backcountry Designated Campsites
Cross-country Areas
Echo Creek
Columbine Creek
3N
1P
NorthTelephoneBoat launch
Overlook
Self-guidingnature trail
Accessible
Livery
Picnic area
0 1 2
0 1 2 3 Miles
3 Kilometers
Generalized landcover inRocky Mountain National Park
Distanceindicator
Glacier
Alpine tundra
Forest or meadow
34
34
34
49
491
491
492
7
7
7
7
34
34
36
36
36
34
66
72
40 119
14
00
Corral
Will
ow
Cree
k
Chapin
Timber
Colorado River
Gor
ge
Big
Thompson
River
Lakes
GRAND
DITCH
Creek
Beav
er
Creek
Creek
Cree
k
North
Inlet
Tona
hutu
Colo
ra
do Supply Creek
Willow
Willow
Creek
Creek Pump Canal
Rive
r
Ona
hu
Cache l
a Poudre R
iver
Creek
Creek
SnowLake
LakeAgnes
Lake ofthe Clouds
ParikaLake
PoudreLake
Timber Lake
ForestLake
DoughnutLake
InkwellLake
AzureLake
JulianLake
BowenLake
BlueLake
HaynachLake
HaydenLake
LonesomeLake
RainbowLake
PtarmiganLake
BenchLake
GraniteFalls
CascadeFalls
HighestLake
Arrowhead Lake
GRAND
DITCH
MirrorLake
CrystalLake
LawnLake
SpectacleLakes
Ypsilon Lake
ChasmFalls
ChiquitaLake
Marys Lake
LilyLake
LakeLouise
LakeHusted Lost
Lake
LostFallsLake
Dunraven
Hague
Fork Thompson North
River
Big
West
Creek
Rive
r
Roarin
g
Creek
Cache la Poudre River
Bridal Veil Falls
CubLake
FernFalls
ThePool
SpruceLake
MargueriteFalls
GraceFalls
Fern Lake
OdessaLake
LakeHelene
EmeraldLake
Nymph Lake
TheLoch
SkyPond
Pettingell Lake
LakeNokoni
AdamsFalls
Falls
Lake Nanita
LakeVerna
StrawberryLake
AdamsLake
LonePineLake
WillowCreekReservoir
SpiritLake
FourthLake
FifthLake
Lake OfGlass
BlackLake
Peacock PoolChasm Lake
Columbine Falls
Copeland Lake
FrozenLake
Lion LakeNo 1
Lion LakeNo 2
Snowbank Lake
SandbeachLake
ThunderLake
PearLakeCony
Lake
FinchLake
BluebirdLake
OuzelLake
CalypsoCascades
OuzelFalls
CopelandFalls
BierstadtLake
DreamLake
AlbertaFalls
TimberlineFalls
RibbonFalls
TrioFalls
MillsLake
LakeHaiyaha
WestCreek
Falls
GemLake
Dry
Gul
ch
Fish
C
reek
Cow
Fall
River
Big
River
Thom
pson
Creek
Gla
cie
r Cre
ek
North St Vrain
Creek
Cony
Creek
Ouzel
Creek
Middle
Hutcheson
Colorado
Rive
r
Colorado River
Lakes
Roaring
Arapaho
Rain
bow
Bay
Bay
Columbine
East
Inlet
Creek
Fo
rk
St Vrain
Creek
Mill
Boul
der
Broo
k
Creek
Michigan Lakes
L A K E G R A N B Y
LONG DRAW RESERVOIR
Monarch Lake
GRAND LAKE8367ft2550m
LAKE ESTES
SHADOW MOUNTAIN
LAKE
RoweGlacier
TyndallGlacier
SpragueGlacier
AndrewsGlacier
Mills Glacier
TaylorGlacier
MoomawGlacier
St Vrain Glaciers
Alva B. Adams Tunnel
(water diversion str
ucture)
Rams Horn
Tunnel
Pros
pect
Mtn
Tun
nel
ARAPAHO NATIONAL RECREATION AREA
2mi3km
3mi5km
6mi9km
1mi2km
3mi5km
2mi3km
9mi 14km
19mi31km
12mi19km
8mi13km
2mi3km
4mi6km
5mi 8km
5mi8km
Road closed from here west to Colorado River Trailhead
mid-October to Memorial Day
One-way up only; closed in winter
Road closed from hereeast to Many Parks Curve
mid-October to JuneNE
VE
R
S
UM
ME
R
M
OU
NT
AI N
S
SHIP
LER
PARK
BOX CANYON
YELL
OWST
ONE
LITTL
E
SKELETON GULCH
BAKER GULCH
MU
M
MY
R A N G E
B L A C K
C A N Y O N
LON
G M
EAD
OW
S
BIG
M
EAD
OW
S
BLUE RID
GE
KA
WU
NE
EC
HE
VA
L L E Y
GLA
CIER
GO
RG
E
TAH
OSA
VA
LLEY BO
ULD
ER
F IEL
D
L U M P Y R I D G E HORSESHOE
PARK F OR E S T
C A N Y ON
TR
AI L R
I DG
E
HIDDEN VALLEY
CANYON
BIGHORN FLATS
SPRUCE
MORAINE PARK
PARADISE PARK
TA
BL
E M
OU
NT
AI N
GR
EE
N R
I DG
E
Mummy Pass Trail
North Fork
North
Boundary
Lawn
Lake
Tra
il
Fern
Lake Trail
Ute Trail
North Longs
Peak
Trail
Trail
Storm
Pass
East
Bluebird
Thunder Lake Trail
Lake
Lon
gs
P
eak
Trail
Trail
Trail
Timber Lake Trail
Ona
hu
Creek
Green
Tonahutu
Trail
Trail
North
Inlet Trail
East
Inlet Trail
Trail
Creek
Mountain
Shadow
Divide
Continental
National
Scenic
Trail
Divide Continental Natio
nal
Scenic
Trail
Mtn Trail
Colo
rado
Ri
ver
Ute Trail
Trai
l
Red Mtn
Trail
Flattop Mtn Trail
Continental DivideNational Scenic Trail
Divide
Continental N
ational Scenic Trail
Tonahutu SpurTrail
Trail
Knight
Ridge
Trail
Poudre R
iver
Tra
il
Devils
Marys Lake Rd
Bear Lake Rd
Gul
ch
Road
Old Fall River Road
Trail
Ridge Road
Trail Ridge Road
By-Pass
MacGregorAvenue
Beaver MeadowsVisitor Center
Moraine ParkVisitor Center
AlpineVisitor Center
Fall RiverVisitor Center
KawuneecheVisitor Center
ToFort Collins
To
ToWalden
ToGranby and To
and Nederland
Cameron Pass
ThunderPass
Site ofLulu City
HolzwarthHistoricSite
Site ofEugenia Mine
La Poudre Pass Trailhead
ThunderMountain12070 ft3679 m
Mummy Pass11440 ft3487 m
Stormy Peaks12135ft3699m
Signal Mountain11262 ft3433 m
Stormy PeaksPass
Flatiron Mountain12335 ft3760 m
Fairchild Mountain13502 ft4115 m
Mount Chiquita13069 ft3983 m
Mount Chapin12454 ft3796 m
SpecimenMountain12489 ft3807 m
JackstrawMountain11704 ft3567 m
Terra Tomah Mountain12718 ft3876 m
Stones Peak12922 ft3939 m
Mount Julian12928 ft3940 m
Thatchtop12668 ft3861 m
Powell Peak13208 ft4026 m
McHenrysPeak13327ft4062m
Storm Peak13326 ft4062 m
Granite Pass
Longs Peak14259 ft4346 m
Chiefs HeadPeak13579 ft4139 m
Copeland Mountain13176 ft4016 m
Ogalalla Peak13138ft4004m
Watanga Mountain12375 ft3772 m
Mount Adams12121 ft3694 m
Twin Peaks11957 ft3644 m
Mount Acoma10508 ft3203 m
MeadowMountain
11632 ft3545 m
St Vrain Mountain12162 ft3707 m
MountLadyWashington
Flattop Mtn12324 ft3756 m
Taylor Peak13153 ft4009 m
Ptarmigan Mountain12324 ft3756 m
Andrews Peak12565 ft3830 m
Mount Craig12007 ft3660 m
Mount Bryant11034 ft3363 m
Shadow Mountain10155 ft3095 m
Lookouttower
Isolation Peak13118 ft3998 m
Ouzel Peak12716 ft3876 m
Mount Alice13310 ft4057 m Pilot
Mountain
TanimaPeak
Boulder-GrandPass
Hallett Peak12713 ft3875 m
OtisPeak
Mount Ida12880 ft3926 m
Nakai Peak12216 ft3723 m
Mount Patterson11424 ft3482 m
Snowdrift Peak12274 ft3741 m
Green Mtn10313 ft3143 m
Apiatan Mountain10319 ft3145 m
Mount Cumulus12725 ft3879 m
Mount Nimbus12706 ft3873 m
Mount Stratus12480 ft3804 m
Baker Mountain12397 ft3779 m
Howard Mountain12810 ft3904 m
Red Mountain11605ft3537m
BowenMountain12524 ft3817 m
Mineral Point11488 ft3502 m
Sundance Mountain12466 ft3800 m
Highest pointon road12183 ft3713 m
Iceberg Pass
StormPass
Meeker Park
Allenspark
PeacefulValley
Ypsilon Mountain13514 ft4119 m
Desolation Peaks12949 ft3947m
Hagues Peak13560 ft4133 m
Mummy Mountain13425ft4092m
Dark Mountain10859 ft3310 m
The Needles10068 ft3069 m
The TwinOwls
Bighorn Mountain11463 ft3494 m
ProspectMountain
8900 ft2713 m
GianttrackMountain
9091 ft2771 m
LilyMtn
9786 ft2983 m
Estes Cone1100 6ft3355 m
Mount Meeker13911 ft4240 m
Pagoda Mountain13497 ft4114 m
Mount Orton11724 ft3573 m
Rams HornMountain9553 ft2912 m
Twin Sisters Peaks11428 ft3483 m
Deer Mtn10013 ft3052 m
ToLoveland
ToLyons and
Boulder
ToLyons and
Boulder
Dunraven / North Fork Trailhead
Cow Creek Trailhead
Lumpy Ridge Trailhead
Lawn Lake Trailhead
Deer MtnTrailhead
Upper BeaverMeadows Trailhead
Hollowell Park Trailhead
Chapin CreekTrailhead
Cub Lake Trailhead
BierstadtLake
TrailheadStorm
PassTrailhead
GlacierGorge
Trailhead
GlacierBasin
Wild BasinTrailhead
Olive Ridge
Camp Dick
PeacefulValley
Bear LakeTrailhead
Lily Lake Trailhead
Park & Ride
YMCAConference
Center
Fern LakeTrailhead
Longs PeakTrailhead
SandbeachLakeTrailhead
Wild BasinEntrance Station
FinchLakeTrailhead
LongsPeakTents only
Tundra CommunitiesTrailhead
Coyote Valley Trailhead
Timber Lake Trailhead
Bowen/Baker Trailhead
HarbisonMeadows
Beaver Ponds
Onahu Trailhead
Green MountainTrailhead
GrandLakeEntranceStation
East InletTrailhead
Tonahutu/North InletTrailheads
East ShoreTrailhead
Pine Beach
ShadowMountain
Cutthroat Bay(group campground)
Stillwater
Sunset Point
Quinette Point
RainbowBay
Arapaho Bay-Roaring Fork LoopKnight Ridge Trailhead
Willow Creek
Arapaho Bay-Big Rock Loop
Arapaho Bay-Moraine Loop
GranbyDam
GreenRidge
West Portal
SummerlandPark
GRANDLAKE
ColoradoRiver
Trailhead
Many Parks Curve
Moraine Park
Rock Cut
ForestCanyon
Lava Cliffs
Fall River Pass
Alpine Ridge Trail
Milner Pass 10758 ft 3279m
MedicineBowCurve
GoreRange
Lake Irene
Farview Curve
TimberCreek
SheepMountain
GlenHaven
Rowe Peak
Comanche Peak 12702 ft 3872 m
Mount Richthofen12940 ft3944 m
Tepee Mountain12568 ft3831 m
Lead Mountain12537 ft3821 m
Mount Cirrus12797 ft3901 m
Long Draw Road
BOWEN GULCH
ESTES PARKBeaverMeadowsEntranceStation
Aspenglen
Sheep Lakes
Endovalley
AlluvialFan
RainbowCurve
BeaverPonds West
Horseshoe Park
HOLLOWELLPARK
Deer RidgeJunction
PIERSONPARK
East Portal Trailhead
Continental
Cont
inen
tal
Divide
Cont
inen
ta
l Divide
Div
ide
NPS/USFS
Corral CreekTrailhead
Long Draw
C O N S E R V A T I O N
E A S E M E N T
ShadowMountain
Dam
8720 ft / 2658 mOpen all year
Seasonal
Open all yearPark Headquarters7840 ft / 2390 m
Fall RiverEntrance Station
8240 ft / 2511 m
SeasonalSnack bar
11796 ft3595 m
Twin Sisters Trailhead
LilyMountainTrailhead
W I L D E R N E S S
W I L D E R N E S S
WILDERNESSWILDERNESS
(SCENIC
AND W
ILD
RIV
ER)
W I L D E R N E S S
AllensparkTrailhead
Sprague Lake Trailhead
Closed
50
45
81
59 Pear Creek
6058
56
57Upper Ouzel Creek
Finch Lake (group/stock)Pear Lake
Ouzel Lake
52 51
49
55
54
464748
Pine Ridge
Tahosa
Aspen Knoll (llama)
53Siskin North St. Vrain
Thunder Lake (1 indiv/stock) Sandbeach Lake
Hunters CreekBeaver Mill
Campers Creek
Hole-in-the-Wall
6867
66
65
64
63
61
Slickrock
Gray Jay Group
Cat’s Lair
East Meadow Lake Verna
Upper East Inlet
Solitaire
8079
7877
69
71
76
74
72
44
43
42
41
40
39
38
37
36 35
A1
Summerland Park
Cascade Falls Big Pool
North Inlet Group (stock)
Ptarmigan
Porcupine (WF)
North Inlet Junction
North Inlet Falls Pine Marten
July
Boulderfield
Battle Mountain Group
Goblins Forest
Moore Park
Sprague Lake Camp
Andrews Creek
Glacier Gorge
Boulder Brook
Upper Wind River
Over The Hill
Wind River Bluff
25
27
23
97
3431
32
3330
28
29
22
21
18
19
15
16
17
13
14
114
117
115
113
119 118
120
8 7
9
10
1211
6 54
3
2
1
105
102
107 106
108
110 109
111
112
100 10199
82
88
92
91
8485
86 8789
93
94
9095
96
98
Boundary Creek (WF)
Kettle Tarn Closed
Silvanmere (WF)
Halfway (WF)
Aspen Meadow Group (WF)
Happily Lost (WF)Lost Falls (WF)
Sugarloaf
Stormy Peaks South
Stormy Peaks
Lost Meadow (group/stock)
Lost Lake
Lawn Lake (1 indiv/stock)
Tileston Meadows
Lower Tileston
Bighorn Mt. (group/stock)
Golden Banner
CutbankUpper Chipmunk
McGregor Mt.
Rabbit Ears
Peregrine
Ute Meadow (llama)
Old Forest InnCub Creek
Fern Lake
Spruce Lake
Odessa Lake
Sourdough
Mill Creek Basin
Upper Mill Creek
Green Mountain
South MeadowsBig Meadows Group
Sunset
Sunrise
Lower Granite Falls
Granite Falls
Tonahutu Meadows
Tonahutu Group (stock) (WF)
Renegade
Haynach (1 llama)
Timberline Group
Onahu Creek
Upper OnahuOnahu Bridge
Timber Creek
Jackstraw
Rockslide
Snowbird
Valley View
Red Gulch Group
Hitchens Gulch DCZDutch Town
Stage Road Closed
Ditch Camp (group/stock)Skeleton Gulch
Box Canyon
La Poudre Pass
Chapin Creek GroupCache
Hague Creek (group/stock)
Flatiron
Mummy Pass Creek (WF)
Koenig (stock)Mirror Lake
1P Columbine Creek
3N Echo Creek
EASTWEST
1k Onahu Creek
1L Nakai Peak
2L Mt. Patterson
1M North Inlet
1N Mt. Enentah
4M
Ptarmigan Mountain
3MUpper North Inlet
1GHunters Creek
2GCony Creek
2DUpper Forest Canyon
3DLower Forest Canyon4D Hayden Gorge
24Little Rock Lake
2J Mosquito Creek
2C Chiquita Creek
2B Cow Creek
1B Mt. Dickinson
3H Cache La Poudre
2H Hague Creek
1H Cascade Creek
1A South Cache La Poudre
Ranger station
Restrooms
Emergency telephone
Campground
Paved Road
Unpaved road
Trailhead
00Backcountry DesignatedCampsites
CrosscountryAreas
‘
83Paintbrush
Closed
Closed
73
Grouseberry
70
Granite Falls
Twinberry
62Lower East Inlet
26 Arch Rock
C - BC Camping Guide - 8/2014 Web Version (15000 K 6/2012)
At CampWhen you arrive at your destination, you will see trail signs that show where to find campsites. Pitch your tent in designated areas. Never dig or trench around a tent.
There are no grizzly bears in Rocky Mountain National Park, but black bears do live here. Help park rangers keep bears and other animals (including mice, marmots, martens, porcupines, elk and deer) from becoming a problem, by carefully securing your food and garbage. A carry-in/carry-out bear resistant food storage canister is required May - October for backcountry camping below treeline and the Boulderfield on Longs Peak. All food, scented items, and trash must be kept in the canister, and placed 70 adult steps away from campsite. Keep a clean camp!
Camp safely away from standing dead trees as near as is safely possible to the silver metal arrowhead that marks the site.
Bear and mountain lion encounters can be potentially dangerous and can occur anywhere in the park. Ask for park information regarding proper wildlife interaction procedures. Keep your group close together, protect small children by picking them up, and never run.
Preparing Meals at CampCook meals with a portable stove. Do not plan to build a fire. Fires are comforting and aesthetically pleasing, but they cause considerable impact on the backcountry. Wood is better used as habitat for wild creatures than as fuel for campers whose lives do not depend upon forest resources.
Campfires have potential to get out of control if not well tended. For these reasons, fires are allowed in only a few designated campsites which have metal fire rings.
Never take food in the sleeping area. Separate where you cook and eat from where you sleep. Keep all scented items out of your tent including soap, deodorant, and toothpaste.
Seal uneaten food scraps and all garbage in airtight containers or storage bags and secure in bear canister. Carry all garbage out of the backcountry.
Drinking WaterAlways purify the drinking water you get in the backcountry by using one of the following methods:• Filter water with a water filter system that eliminates giardia. • Boil water for 1 minute and add an additional minute for each 1000 ft above sea level (example: 10,000 feet = 11 minutes).• Use water purifying tablets or drops that eliminate giardia.
70 A
dult
Step
s
70 Adult Steps
Wash WaterCarry water at least 70 adult steps (200 feet/60 meters) from a lake or stream to wash yourself or your dishes. Use biodegradable soap. When disposing of wash water, first filter out all food scraps with a small screen. Pack the food scraps into an airtight container, secure in bear canister to be carried out later. Toss out the wash water by throwing it over a wide area. • Never wash directly in a lake or stream.• Do not scatter food scraps in the water or on the ground. • Do not throw food into pit toilets.• Pack out all food scraps, trash and uneaten food.
Backcountry SanitationThere are pit toilets at many backcountry campsites. When a pit toilet is not available, do the following:• Urinate in rocky places that won’t be damaged by animals who dig for salts and minerals found in urine.• Dig a hole, 6 inches (15 centimeters) deep, for fecal waste using a small trowel or pack out waste and paper. • Be sure that you defecate at least 70 adult steps (200 feet/ 60 meters) from camp, water or trails. • Do not bury sanitary napkins, tampons, or paper wipes. Dispose of them in an airtight container and pack them out.• Wash hands with biodegradable soap. Giardia and other diseases are frequently spread by unsanitary practices.
FishingTo fish in Rocky Mountain National Park, you must have a Colorado state fishing license. You may purchase licenses at local sporting goods stores.
Check at Rocky Mountain National Park visitor centers for fishing regulations, which vary at different lakes and streams in the park. Check at a visitor center or view www.nps.gov/romo for current fishing regulations and information.
Backcountry Guide 6
Quiet backcountry campsite
Leaving the BackcountryIf you end a trip early, notify the backcountry office to cancel the permit, so other backpackers may use your site.
Please report all unusual wildlife sightings, trail conditions, or incidents to a ranger.
Pack out all your garbage and that of others less considerate.
If you see any violations of rules and regulations, please report them to a ranger as soon as possible.
You can find showers and laundry facilities in Estes Park and in Grand Lake.
These lands were set aside for you by our foreparents. It is our most sincere hope that you have an inspiring, refreshing and renewing backcountry wilderness experience in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Last Name ___________________________First Name___________________________Address_________________________________________________________________City_________________________________State_____________ Zip________________Phone_______________________________
First ChoiceNight(s) of Campsite(s)______ ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ ________________________
# In Party_________ # of Stock________
Trailhead In____________________________Trailhead Out__________________________
Vehicle License #_____________________State_______________________________
Second ChoiceNight(s) of Campsite(s)______ ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ ________________________
TRIP PLANNING WORKSHEETRocky Mountain National Park - Backcountry Office
1000 W. Hwy 36Estes Park CO 80517
(970) 586-1242 This is NOT a Permit. Send no money with this request.
Leave No TraceJoin park rangers in protecting the natural conditions of the backcountry while hiking and camping.
Ask a park ranger how you can Leave No Trace on your backcountry visit or contact: Leave No Trace Inc. P.O. Box 997 Boulder, CO 80306 or www.lnt.org.
Plan ahead and prepare
Travel and camp on durable surfaces
Dispose of waste properly
Leave what you find
Minimize campfire impacts
Respect wildlife
Be considerate of other visitors
Please complete fully and mail to the address above.
Cut here
Backcountry Guide 7
If the site(s) you request on the date(s) you request are already taken, we will assign alternate sites as close to your requested sites as possible.
“Something will have gone out of us as a people if we ever let the remaining wilderness be destroyed; if we permit the last virgin forests to be turned into comic books; if we drive the few remaining wild species into zoos or extinction; if we pollute the last clear air and dirty the last clear streams and push our paved roads through the last of silences.” -Wallace Stegner
Backcountry Guide 8
It is the hope of the Park Rangers of Rocky Mountain National Park that you have the trip of a lifetime while you are here. Safety is the foundation of having the trip of a lifetime. It is our desire that you leave with wonderful memories rather than a tragic story. Any planning that you can do to prevent an injury, accident or the separation of members of your party while in the wilderness is
wise and will help make for a successful vacation. Risks in the backcountry are remote risks.
Please take extra time to come out of the wilderness safely.