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Dillon, Colorado

Looking for the best backpacking in Dillon? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Dillon. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Backpacking Spots in and near Dillon

  • Leadville, Colorado

    Overnight at the Emma and Marceline Yurts, Leadville

    11 mi / 1200 ft gain
    Drive past the main downtown of Leadville and then head into the mountains south of town, following Mt. Sherman Road to the Yurt parking along a ridge before you come to the Black Cloud Mine. There are signs that say "Yurt Parking". Follow the road a little further down to a jeep road just before...
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  • Leadville, Colorado

    Ski Hut-to-Hut from Uncle Bud's to Skinner Hut

    5.0
    24.5 mi / 4700 ft gain
    The trek starts just outside of Leadville near Turquoise Lake at 9800 ft. The first day you'll travel 6.5 miles and gain 1700 ft. to Uncle Bud's Hut, which sits around 11,400 ft. The second day you'll ski 7.1 miles to Skinner Hut and gain 2100 ft, mostly in the last 3 miles after having dropped...
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  • Bailey, Colorado

    Payne Creek Trail via Brookside McCurdy Trailhead

    4.5
    17.98 mi / 3773 ft gain
    Day 1: Park at the Payne Creek/Brookside Trailhead (8,040 ft.) right outside Bailey. You'll go on the trail for about a mile before the trail parts to Craig Meadows or Craig Park. If you start this in the nighttime, it's best to camp before you part ways on the trail as it's a little more spaciou...
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  • Nederland, Colorado

    Hiking the Indian Peaks Wilderness' Lost Lake

    4.3
    4.5 mi / 1000 ft gain
    Lost Lake of the Indian Peaks Wilderness area is a scenic short hike (about 3 hours) with a lot to see. The trailhead is tucked at the end of a road that passes through Eldora, a charming village of cabins and old abandoned buildings. You will pass by the lost "town" of Hessie on foot, which is w...
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  • Nederland, Colorado

    Hike to Columbine Lake

    5.0
    7 mi / 1200 ft gain
    The hike is about seven miles, give or take, however it feels longer. The elevation gain is little over 1000 feet. The drive here is about 45 minutes from both Granby and Winter Park, and is definitely worth it.  You follow a trail dusted with wildflowers for the majority of the hike, and occasio...
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  • Nederland, Colorado

    King Lake via Hessie Trailhead

    5.0
    11.32 mi / 2375 ft gain
    The normal route from the east side is via the Hessie trailhead outside Nederland Colorado. From the west it is most often accessed via the short trail from Rollins pass, which is open in the summer. As noted above, it is also a lake and area ripe for creating your own adventure. The description ...
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  • Nederland, Colorado

    Hike to the Lost Lakes via the Hessie Trail

    4 mi / 1000 ft gain
    Accessed by Hessie Trailhead, Lost Lake is a relatively moderate 4 mile round-trip hike with about 1,000 feet of elevation. The core of the hike is uphill and on a gravel path, 2/3rds of the hike runs parallel to a rushing waterfall.  After parking your car, head towards the Hessie Trailhead. Yo...
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  • Nederland, Colorado

    Backpack to Caribou Lake

    4.0
    8.2 mi
    This is one of the most beautiful hikes I have ever done in Colorado. It is a great trip for photographers, fisherman or anyone who enjoys mountain views, forests filled with wildlife and peaceful meadows. Distances: Arapaho Pass: 3.2 miles, Caribou Lake: 4.2 miles, Caribou Pass: 6.4 miles, Meado...
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  • Basalt, Colorado

    Backpack & Fish at Lake Charles

    11 mi / 1700 ft gain
    I decided to make an Outbound listing for this because the AllTrails listing is incredibly inaccurate. Hopefully you're reading this one!  Your adventure starts at the trailhead of Fulford Cave / Fulford Cave Campground in Yeoman Park. Yeoman Park is just past Sylvan Lake State Park and is consid...
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  • Granby, Colorado

    Mirror and Crater Lakes via Cascade Creek Trail

    4.6
    14.94 mi / 2421 ft gain
    Start at the Monarch Lake trailhead (where there is a $5 parking fee unless you have one of the national lands passes) and follow the cascade creek trail around the north side of the lake. After about 1.5 miles the trail splits with the Arapaho pass trail, follow the cascade trail to the left as ...
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  • Meredith, Colorado

    Ski Betty Bear to Skinner Hut

    20.2 mi / 3650 ft gain
    Betty Bear and Skinner Huts reside deep in the Colorado backcountry surrounded by thick forests and snowy peaks. Both of these huts offer an opportunity for off-grid leisure and crowd-free skiing. The huts come stocked with padded mattresses, wood stoves & fuel, propane burners, all cookware ...
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  • Jefferson, Colorado

    Backpack Lost Creek

    4.0
    5 mi
    I included a trail map of where I camped. There are many sites all throughout this area. From the Lost Park Campground Parking lot follow the Lost Creek for 2.4 miles. At the 1 mile mark was the best place that we found to cross the creek (there are two logs that make a bridge across the creek). ...
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  • Leadville, Colorado

    Colorado Trail: Mount Elbert Trailhead to Twin Lakes

    8.49 mi / 1099 ft gain
    Colorado Trail: Mount Elbert Trailhead to Twin Lakes is a point-to-point trail that takes you by a lake located near Leadville, Colorado.
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  • Buena Vista, Colorado

    Backpack the Buffalo Peaks Wilderness Loop

    5.0
    11.7 mi / 2000 ft gain
    Starting at the Rich Creek Campground this wonderful moderate hike forms a loop by connecting the Rich Creek Trail and the Tumble Creek trail. in the Buffalo Peaks wilderness. Flanked by the Collegiate Peaks, in Spring and Summer the area is awash with rushing creeks, lush wet lowlands & deep...
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  • Ward, Colorado

    Pawnee & Buchanan Pass Loop

    5.0
    26.98 mi / 6978 ft gain
    Before you start your trip, get a camping permit from the Boulder Ranger Station. Plan to spend your first night in the Crater Lake BZ (Backcountry Zone), and your second in Buchanan BZ. If you're feeling particularly sedate, you can easily spend a third night in Coney Creek. Start early in the ...
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  • Ward, Colorado

    Winter Camp at Lefthand Reservoir

    3 mi / 250 ft gain
    The Brainard Lake Recreation Area is a winter adventurers playground with numerous snowshoe and cross country ski options to be explored. This area is popular as it offers dramatic mountain peaks, a trail for everyone (no motorized vehicles off of pavement), and close proximity to the Denver and ...
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