Idaho Springs, Colorado
Looking for the best backpacking in Idaho Springs? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Idaho Springs. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Backpacking Spots in and near Idaho Springs
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Allenspark, Colorado
Ouzel & Ogallala Peaks
17.18 mi / 4403 ft gainBegin at the Wild Basin Trailhead in southeastern Rocky Mountain National Park near the town of Allenspark. Plan to start before sunrise if attempting this trek as a day trip in order to avoid afternoon thunderstorms above the treeline. This trip can easily be made into a backpacking experience b...Read more -
Silverthorne, Colorado
Lily Pad Lake
4.73.27 mi / 531 ft gainLily Pad Lake is a well known destination just outside of Silverthorne and in the Eagle's Nest Wilderness. The trail may be heavily trafficked on the weekends, but solitude can still be found in the early mornings or during the weekdays. The trail starts at the Lily Pad Lake Trailhead, just to t...Read more -
Allenspark, Colorado
Sandbeach Lake Trail
4.08.56 mi / 2057 ft gainSandbeach Lake is best known for (as you can probably guess) its wide sandy shore. At nearly 50 feet deep, it is one of Rocky Mountain National Parks deepest lakes. If you are looking to fish at the lake, make sure to bring barbless flies and lures. There are six official campsites (1.8 miles Hol...Read more -
Breckenridge, Colorado
Ski or Snowshoe to Section House Hut
5.06.25 mi / 1200 ft gainThere are a couple routes to Section Hut on Boreas Pass, but the best adds trekking through the forest on Baker's Tank trail. Starting at 10,350' at the TH, look for a trail in the woods that starts climbing relatively quickly. Follow this for about 2.5 miles to the junction with the road and B...Read more -
Breckenridge, Colorado
Camp at Boreas Pass
9 mi / 1500 ft gainBoreas pass is a high mountain pass in the Rocky Mountains that sits on the Continental Divide at 11,481'. Forest Service Road 33 goes over the pass and has numerous campsites all along its length, with several near the summit that feature breathtaking views of the Tenmile Range and the Breckenri...Read more -
Silverthorne, Colorado
Backpack to Upper Slate Lake
5.028 mi / 1386 ft gainStarting from the Rock Creek Trailhead parking lot, it is an up and down trek to Upper Slate Lake. The trail map states 10 miles each way, but accounting for switchbacks it ends up being closer to 14 long, hard miles.You will be among aspens and pines for the first half as you have a few moderate...Read more -
Lyons, Colorado
Camp at Coulson Gulch
4.09 miCoulson Gulch is a lightly used area of the Roosevelt National Forest which makes it perfect for a weekend getaway without the crowds. This is a great place to camp out under the stars!To get to Coulson Gulch From Lyons, head west on U.S. Highway 36 for about 9 miles. Turn southwest onto Larimer ...Read more -
Breckenridge, Colorado
Backpack & Fish The Mohawk Lakes
4.06.8 mi / 1940 ft gainThe trailhead is located a few miles out side of Breckenridge Colorado. The trail starts at 10,390' and the first two miles are spent walking through a mix of fir, aspen, and spruce trees until the trail goes parallel to Spruce Creek Road and eventually crosses it and continues over a small dam (...Read more -
Breckenridge, Colorado
Lower Crystal Lake via Crystal Creek Road
5.04.52 mi / 1624 ft gainTo get to the Crystal Lakes start at the Spruce Creek Trailhead. You can hike or drive to the Lower Crystal Lake along Crystal Creek Road. If you choose to drive, you will need a high clearance 4x4 vehicle as you follow along Crystal Creek Road. The road is steep, but when they get to the top it ...Read more -
Breckenridge, Colorado
Hike to & Stay at Francie's Cabin
5.01.09 mi / 1000 ft gainLocated at 11,360' and owned by the 10th Mountain Division Hut Association, Francies Cabin was built in memory of Frances Lockwood Bailey in 1994 and is located just a short distance (5 mile drive, 1.05 mile hike) from town of Breckenridge, Colorado. It has a summer and winter capacity of 20 peop...Read more -
1398 Longs Peak Road, Colorado
Storm Peak and Mount Lady Washington
4.512.57 mi / 5312 ft gainThis adventure began at the Longs Peak trailhead in southeastern Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. I followed the Longs Peak trail for 6 miles to the Boulderfield backcountry camping area. This is a fairly steep on-trail climb of 3,360 feet. After setting up camp at 12,760 feet, my partner...Read more -
Estes Park, Colorado
Boulderfield Campground via Longs Peak Trail
11.39 mi / 3337 ft gainBoulder Field is a high alpine backcountry site on Longs Peak, and is a popular camp for backpackers attempting to summit Longs Peak via the Keyhole route. At an impressive elevation of 12,760 feet, Boulder Field is a vast wasteland of rocks that sits 500 feet below the famous Keyhole feature, an...Read more -
Frisco, Colorado
Ski to Janet's Cabin
6 mi / 1900 ft gainJanet's Cabin is located on the eastern slope of the Continental Divide at 11,610 ft, near Copper Mountain ski resort. This hut is one of the rare huts with not only a sauna but indoor bathrooms (composting pits)! The cabin was built in 1990 and due to the location helicopters were required to b...Read more -
Frisco, Colorado
Backpack to the Gore Range's Wheeler and Lost Lakes
4.510 mi / 2200 ft gainThe range offers many remote lakes and peaks which hikers can access from various points of entry. Wheeler and Lost Lakes lie within the boundaries of the Eagle's Nest Wilderness Area.The Gore Trail begins on the north side of the CO-91 pedestrian bridge over I-70. You will follow the trail up al...Read more -
Allenspark, Colorado
Hike to Verna, Spirit, Fourth, and Fifth Lakes
19 mi / 2460 ft gainThis summer backpacking trip provides plenty of opportunities for exploration and endless moments to take in awe-inspiring scenery. On our visit, after setting up camp at the Lake Verna backcountry site, I quickly made my way to the next lake (Spirit Lake) to photograph the sunset. The symmetry a...Read more -
Allenspark, Colorado
Hike to Spirit Lake
15.8 mi / 2000 ft gainOne can reach spirit lake as a day hike, however it is most often visited as part of backpacking trip. Either way the route is the same and it starts at the East Inlet trail. To park you are supposed to pay or show your park/national lands pass. From the East Inlet trailhead you will soon pass Ad...Read more