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

At a Glance