Hermosa Wilderness
The Hermosa Creek Watershed Protection legislation, passed by Congress and signed by President Barack Obama in December, 2014, created the Hermosa Creek Special Management Area (SMA) and the adjacent 37,236-acre Hermosa Creek Wilderness. The new Hermosa Creek Wilderness is very remote and rugged. It includes two system trails: Salt Creek and Clear Creek – which total approximately 14 miles. These trails are open only to travel by foot or horseback.
Mountain bike travel on the Colorado Trail is not affected by the new Hermosa Wilderness designation; however, mountain bikes will not be allowed on the trails that lead into Wilderness from the Colorado Trail, Hermosa Creek Trail, or other trails outside the Wilderness. Please note, in 2018, the Hermosa Creek Watershed experienced the 54,000-acre "416 Fire". As a result, there are burned area hazards in the Hermosa Creek Watershed. Entry into burned areas is at your own risk. Some trails will be impassable, and hazards such as falling trees, unstable soils, and debris flows will exist.
General Information
Please review the full list of Wilderness Regulations which include the following:
- No motorized or mechanized (bicycle) traffic is allowed within the Wilderness per the 1964 Wilderness Act.
- Stay on designated trails in the Hermosa; new routes must not be created when trails are impassable.
- Group size is limited to 15 people.
- Combination of people and stock = 25.
- Dogs under control.
- No unattended campfires.
- Camping is not allowed within 100 feet of any water source.
- Outfitter-guides who receive any form of compensation must obtain a special-use permit to operate on public land.
- Possession of motorized equipment and mechanized means of transport are not permitted.
- Please check trailhead signs or Forest Service Offices for site-specific camping, campfire, and livestock regulations.
- Do not fly drones over congressionally designated wilderness areas or primitive areas as many people seek these places for the opportunities for solitude and quiet that they provide.
- Practice leave no trace ethics.
Passes & Permits
Recommended maps for the Hermosa Wilderness are the FS Topo Maps Orphan Butte, Elk Creek La Plata, and Monument Hill
San Juan Mountains Association Map and Book Store has maps for purchase online or by phone, fax, and mail.
Go to Wilderness.net for additional maps and information about Wilderness.
Recreation Sites
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