Wilderness Areas
The Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands is home to nine congressionally designated Wilderness areas with over 385,000 acres of untrammeled opportunities for challenge, solitude, tranquility and personal growth. Wilderness areas provide critical habitat for a multitude of species and help to protect important natural resources, such as clean water.
There are regulations in place for each Wilderness (e.g., group size, number of stock animals, type of stock feed, campfires, camping locations, and dogs) to minimize human impacts to these unique and special areas. Some Wildernesses require visitors to obtain self-issued permits that are available at each trailhead at no cost. Permits are required to measure the number of visitors using an area and educate visitors about the benefits of minimizing our collective impacts.
Many of the forest's popular climbing peaks over 14,000' (Fourteeners) are within designated wilderness where regulations apply. Please always use Leave No Trace techniques to help keep these areas wild, clean, and pristine! Read the special considerations for Bear Country.
Maps are available.
Wilderness areas
At a Glance
Permit Info: | Three Wilderness areas - Holy Cross, Lost Creek, and Mount Evans - require visitors to obtain self-issued permits. Permits are available at each trailhead at no cost. |
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Restrictions: | Wilderness regulations apply |
Closest Towns: | Denver, Colorado |
Water: | Treat all non-potable water before consuming. |
Operated By: | Forest Service |
Information Center: | Pike and San Isabel National Forests Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands district offices. |
General Information
Directions:Colorado’s Fourteeners
For more information about climbing Colorado’s peaks please visit the Rocky Mountain Region 14ers page.
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.
Wilderness.net
Go to Wilderness.net for additional maps and information about Wilderness.
Activities
Day Hiking
Areas for Day Hiking at Wilderness Areas
- Buffalo Peaks Wilderness
- Collegiate Peaks Wilderness
- Greenhorn Mountains Wilderness
- Holy Cross Wilderness
- Lost Creek Wilderness
- Ben Tyler Trail #606
- Brookside-McCurdy Trail #607
- Craig Park Trail #608
- Goose Creek Trail #612
- Hankins Pass Trail #630
- Lake Park Trail #639
- Lizard Rock Trail #658
- Payne Gulch Trail #637
- Rolling Creek Trail #663
- Ute Creek Trail #629
- Wigwam Trail #609
- Mount Evans Wilderness
- Abyss Lake Trail #602
- Deer Creek Trailhead
- Meridian Trailhead
- Mount Bierstadt Trail #711
- Rosalie Trail #603
- Tanglewood Trail #636
- Threemile Trail #635
- Mount Massive Wilderness
- Sangre de Cristo Wilderness
- Spanish Peaks Wilderness
Backpacking
Areas for Backpacking at Wilderness Areas
- Buffalo Peaks Wilderness
- Collegiate Peaks Wilderness
- Greenhorn Mountains Wilderness
- Holy Cross Wilderness
- Lost Creek Wilderness
- Ben Tyler Trail #606
- Brookside-McCurdy Trail #607
- Craig Park Trail #608
- Goose Creek Trail #612
- Hankins Pass Trail #630
- Lake Park Trail #639
- Lizard Rock Trail #658
- Payne Gulch Trail #637
- Rolling Creek Trail #663
- Ute Creek Trail #629
- Wigwam Trail #609
- Mount Evans Wilderness
- Abyss Lake Trail #602
- Deer Creek Trailhead
- Meridian Trailhead
- Rosalie Trail #603
- Tanglewood Trail #636
- Threemile Trail #635
- Mount Massive Wilderness
- Sangre de Cristo Wilderness
- Spanish Peaks Wilderness
Horse Riding
Areas for Horse Riding at Wilderness Areas
- Buffalo Peaks Wilderness
- Collegiate Peaks Wilderness
- Greenhorn Mountains Wilderness
- Holy Cross Wilderness
- Lost Creek Wilderness
- Ben Tyler Trail #606
- Brookside-McCurdy Trail #607
- Craig Park Trail #608
- Goose Creek Trail #612
- Hankins Pass Trail #630
- Lake Park Trail #639
- Payne Gulch Trail #637
- Wigwam Trail #609
- Mount Evans Wilderness
- Abyss Lake Trail #602
- Deer Creek Trailhead
- Meridian Trailhead
- Rosalie Trail #603
- Tanglewood Trail #636
- Threemile Trail #635
- Mount Massive Wilderness
- Sangre de Cristo Wilderness
- Spanish Peaks Wilderness
Viewing Wildlife
Viewing Plants
Viewing Scenery
XC Skiing/Snowshoeing
Areas for XC Skiing/Snowshoeing at Wilderness Areas