Official websites use .gov
A .gov
website belongs to an official government organization in the
United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock
(
) or https:// means you've safely
connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only
on official, secure websites.
Flat Tops Area
The Flat Tops area is managed by the Yampa Ranger District and offers many recreation opportunities for all seasons. The Bear River corridor, Chapman and Sheriff Reservoirs, and Dunckley Pass are popular locations. The Scenic Byway "Flat Tops Trail" runs from Yampa to Meeker on County Road 8, and is popular for big game hunting, picnics, scenic driving, admiring the fall colors, camping, fishing, snowmobiling, hiking, horseback riding and more.
Flat Tops Wilderness spans the Routt National Forest and White River National Forest. Elevations range from 7,640 to 12,354 feet. This is the third largest Wilderness in Colorado.
The United States Congress designated the Flat Tops Wilderness in 1975, and it now has a total of 235,214 acres. Arthur Carhart's 1919 visit to Trapper's Lake in the Flat Tops prompted him to be the first U.S. Forest Service official to initiate a plea for Wilderness preservation.
At a Glance
| Operational Hours: | Accessible mid June through early November (dependent on weather and snowfall.) Winter months require a snowmobile to access. |
|---|---|
| Restrictions: | Please review wilderness regulations for Flat Tops Wilderness. |
| Information Center: | Yampa Ranger District 970-638-4516 300 Roselawn St Yampa, CO 80483 |
Activities
Mountain Biking
Areas for Mountain Biking at Flat Tops Area
- Baldy Trail #1200
- Bunker Basin Trail #1109
- Cyclone Park Trail #1038
- Cyclone Trail #1112
- Gill Reservoir Trail #1104
- Old West Fish Creek Trail #1111
- Yampa Ranger District Office
Road Cycling
Areas for Road Cycling at Flat Tops Area
Campground Camping
Areas for Campground Camping at Flat Tops Area
- Bear Lake Campground
- Bear River Developed Camp Sites
- Chapman Reservoir Campground
- Cold Springs Campground
- Horseshoe Campground
- Sheriff Reservoir Campground
- Vaughan Lake Campground
- Yampa Ranger District Office
Group Camping
Areas for Group Camping at Flat Tops Area
Dispersed Camping
Areas for Dispersed Camping at Flat Tops Area
Rock Climbing
Lake and Pond Fishing
Areas for Lake and Pond Fishing at Flat Tops Area
- Allen Basin Reservoir & ATV Trail #1181
- Bear Lake Campground
- Bear Lake Fishing Pier
- Bear Lake Picnic Site
- Bear River Developed Camp Sites
- Chapman Reservoir Campground
- Crosho Lake Recreation Area
- East Fork Trail #1119
- Gardner Park Interpretive Trail
- Gill Reservoir Trail #1104
- Mandall Lakes Trail #1121
- Sheriff Reservoir Campground
- Sheriff Reservoir Dam & Trailhead
- Stillwater Trailhead
- Ute-Heart Lake Trail #1110
- Vaughan Lake Campground
- West Lost Lakes #1103
- Yamcolo Reservoir Camping, Fishing and Boat Launch
- Yampa Ranger District Office
River and Stream Fishing
Areas for River and Stream Fishing at Flat Tops Area
Day Hiking
Areas for Day Hiking at Flat Tops Area
- Allen Basin Reservoir & ATV Trail #1181
- Baldy Trail #1200
- Bear Lake Campground
- Bear River Trail #1120
- Black Mountain Creek Trail #1117
- Bunker Basin Trail #1109
- Corral Creek Trail #1114
- Cyclone Park Trail #1038
- Cyclone Trail #1112
- Devil's Causeway
- East Fork Trail #1119
- Elk Draw Trail #1209
- Gill Reservoir Trail #1104
- Indian Run Trail #1210
- Lost Lakes Trail #1116
- Mandall Lakes Trail #1121
- Middle Pine Trail #1196.1A
- North Derby Trail (Hooper Keener Lakes)#1122
- North Dunckley Trail #1139
- Old West Fish Creek Trail #1111
- Salt Park Trail #1114.1A
- Sand Creek Trail #1123
- Sawtooth Trail #1165
- Sheriff Reservoir Dam & Trailhead
- Smith Lake Trail #1194
- Stillwater Trailhead
- Transfer Trail #1172
- Ute-Heart Lake Trail #1110
- West Fish Creek Trail #1098
- West Lost Lakes #1103
- Windy Point Trail #1195
- Yampa Ranger District Office
Backpacking
Areas for Backpacking at Flat Tops Area
- Baldy Trail #1200
- Bear Lake Campground
- Bear River Trail #1120
- Black Mountain Creek Trail #1117
- Crosho Lake Recreation Area
- Cyclone Trail #1112
- Devil's Causeway
- East Fork Trail #1119
- Elk Draw Trail #1209
- Indian Run Trail #1210
- Lost Lakes Trail #1116
- Mandall Lakes Trail #1121
- North Derby Trail (Hooper Keener Lakes)#1122
- Sand Creek Trail #1123
- Sawtooth Trail #1165
- West Lost Lakes #1103
- Windy Point Trail #1195
- Yampa Ranger District Office
Horse Camping
Areas for Horse Camping at Flat Tops Area
Horse Riding
Areas for Horse Riding at Flat Tops Area
- Allen Basin Reservoir & ATV Trail #1181
- Baldy Trail #1200
- Bear River Trail #1120
- Black Mountain Creek Trail #1117
- Bunker Basin Trail #1109
- Corral Creek Trail #1114
- Cyclone Trail #1112
- East Fork Trail #1119
- Elk Draw Trail #1209
- Indian Run Trail #1210
- Lost Lakes Trail #1116
- Mandall Lakes Trail #1121
- Middle Pine Trail #1196.1A
- North Derby Trail (Hooper Keener Lakes)#1122
- North Dunckley Trail #1139
- Old West Fish Creek Trail #1111
- Salt Park Trail #1114.1A
- Sand Creek Trail #1123
- Sawtooth Trail #1165
- Sheriff Reservoir Dam & Trailhead
- Stillwater Trailhead
- Transfer Trail #1172
- Ute-Heart Lake Trail #1110
- West Fish Creek Trail #1098
- West Lost Lakes #1103
- Windy Point Trail #1195
- Yampa Ranger District Office
Big Game Hunting
Areas for Big Game Hunting at Flat Tops Area
Small Game Hunting
Areas for Small Game Hunting at Flat Tops Area
Game Bird/Waterfowl
Areas for Game Bird/Waterfowl at Flat Tops Area
Viewing Wildlife
Areas for Viewing Wildlife at Flat Tops Area
Viewing Plants
Areas for Viewing Plants at Flat Tops Area
Viewing Scenery
Areas for Viewing Scenery at Flat Tops Area
OHV Road Riding
Areas for OHV Road Riding at Flat Tops Area
OHV Trail Riding
Areas for OHV Trail Riding at Flat Tops Area
Interpretive Areas
Areas for Interpretive Areas at Flat Tops Area
Picnicking
Areas for Picnicking at Flat Tops Area
Scenic Driving
Areas for Scenic Driving at Flat Tops Area
Boating - Non-Motorized
Areas for Boating - Non-Motorized at Flat Tops Area
XC Skiing/Snowshoeing
Areas for XC Skiing/Snowshoeing at Flat Tops Area
Snowmobiling
Areas for Snowmobiling at Flat Tops Area