Lost Creek Wilderness - West Side

Lost Creek Wilderness offers a great variety of recreational opportunities. There are many miles of trail in or near the wilderness area, and all wilderness regulations apply. Trails in the wilderness area are for foot traffic only and not open to motorized vehicles or bicycles.

Lost Creek Wilderness is located in Pike National Forest, and the trails and campgrounds on the west side are taken care of by the South Park Ranger District.

Lost Park, Spruce Grove and Twin Eagles Campgrounds are located adjacent to Lost Creek Wilderness on the west side. Lost Park and Twin Eagles are first come, first served, and Spruce Grove can be reserved at recreation.gov.

Trails and campgrounds on the east side are managed by the South Platte Ranger District.

Current Conditions

County Road 56 has no winter maintenance and is seasonally closed from March 2 - June 16.

General Information

There is a mandatory self-issuing permit system in the Mount Evans and Lost Creek Wilderness areas to enable us to better manage visitation. The same type of system is also in place in other wilderness areas. The intent is to use the data obtained through the permit system to more accurately assess the amounts and types of existing wilderness use. This enables us to better preserve their natural condition for future generations, balanced against the pressures of growing populations and increased use. These permits have no quotas associated with them nor are there any fees required to obtain them. They are available free at each trailhead. As you enter the wilderness area, fill out the provided permit and deposit the stub in the slot in the lower front of the register box. Keep the permit in your possession and please follow the wilderness regulations found on the back.

Wilderness regulations apply. The following are prohibited in the wilderness area:

Having more than 15 persons and/or 10 saddle, pack or draft animals accompanying any one party.
Possessing dogs, unless under physical restraint of a leash, except for working stock dogs or dogs being used for legal hunting purposes.
Camping within 100 feet of lakes, streams and forest development trails.
Building, maintaining, attending or using a campfire or stove fire within 100 feet of lakes, streams and forest development trails.
Hitching, hobbling or tethering any pack or saddle animal within 100 feet of lakes, streams and forest development trails.
Possessing, storing or transporting unprocessed plant material such as hay, straw or other unprocessed livestock feed for bedding, feeding or other uses.
Possessing or using a bicycle, wagon, cart or other vehicle. Wheelchairs designed solely for and used by mobility-impaired persons for locomotion and which are suitable for indoor pedestrian use are exempt from this regulation.
Short-cutting a switchback on a forest development trail.

No fee; however, campground fees apply when staying at nearby developed sites.

Getting There

Directions

Access to Lost Creek Wilderness can be made a number of ways. It is recommended that you have a Pike National Forest Map, USGS and/or National Geographic Trails Illustrated topographical map for detailed information about getting into, being in and getting out of the wilderness area.