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Mount Zirkel Wilderness
The United States Congress designated the Mount Zirkel Wilderness in 1964 as one of the original areas protected under the Wilderness Act. It has a total of 159,935 acres. All of this wilderness is located in northwestern Colorado and is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
This Wilderness area is home to the headwaters of the Elk, Encampment and North Platte Rivers, as well as some 70 lakes, high mountain peaks (including the 12,180 foot-tall Mount Zirkel for which it is named) and a portion of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. It straddles the Continental Divide and encompasses the rugged Sawtooth Range, as well as portions of the Park and Sierra Madre ranges.
Dispersed camping opportunities are widespread or many developed campgrounds are nearby, such as Big Creek Lakes, Seedhouse, Summit Lake and Teal Lake Campgrounds.
- Wilderness.net page for Mount Zirkel Wilderness
Trails/Trailheads that access Mount Zirkel Wilderness include:
- Beaver Creek Trailhead
- Buffalo Pass Trailhead
- Buffalo Ridge Trailhead
- Encampment Trailhead
- Mad Creek Trailhead
- Newcomb Creek Trailhead
- North Lake Trailhead
- Seven Lakes Trailhead
- Slavonia Trailhead
The Mount Zirkel Wilderness Area is co-managed by the Hahns Peak/Bears Ears and Parks Ranger Districts of the Routt National Forest. Select 'Hiking' and 'Camping' on the Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District and/or Parks Ranger District Recreation pages for a complete list of campgrounds and trails.
At a Glance
| Current Conditions: | 07/10/21 Some areas closed due to Morgan Creek Fire, view closure: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd930558.pdf |
|---|---|
| Operational Hours: | Open year round. |
| Fees: | Fees vary among sites. |
| Restrictions: | Please see Wilderness restrictions. |
| Closest Towns: | Walden, CO; Craig, CO; Steamboat Springs, CO |
| Water: | Treat all non-potable water before consuming. |
| Information Center: | Parks Ranger District (East Side) 970-723-2700 100 Main St Walden, CO 80480 Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District (West Side) 970-870-2299 925 Weiss Dr Steamboat Springs, CO |
General Information
General Notes:Topo maps
Forest Service Topography Maps: These maps overlay Forest Service assets, such as roads, trails, and campgrounds, on USGS's topographic maps. They are available for download by quadrangle.
Buy maps online
National Forest Store: Offers a full, nationwide selection of National Forest, Ranger District, Wilderness, and Specialty Maps for purchase online or by phone, fax, and mail.
Colorado’s Fourteeners
Find more information about climbing Colorado’s peaks at the Rocky Mountain Region 14ers page.
Wilderness.net
Go to Wilderness.net for additional maps and information about Wilderness.
Activities
Dispersed Camping
Recreation areas with activity Dispersed Camping:Mt. Zirkel Wilderness: MAP - camping guidelines, Slavonia area
Lake and Pond Fishing
Recreation areas with activity Lake and Pond Fishing:River and Stream Fishing
Recreation areas with activity River and Stream Fishing:Day Hiking
Recreation areas with activity Day Hiking:Backpacking
Recreation areas with activity Backpacking:Big Game Hunting
Recreation areas with activity Big Game Hunting:Small Game Hunting
Recreation areas with activity Small Game Hunting:Viewing Scenery
Recreation areas with activity Viewing Scenery:XC Skiing/Snowshoeing
Recreation areas with activity XC Skiing/Snowshoeing:
Caring for the Land
