Winter Park, Colorado
Looking for the best backpacking in Winter Park? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Winter Park. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Backpacking Spots in and near Winter Park
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Grand Lake, Colorado
Hike to Big Meadows and Granite Falls
5.010.3 miThe Green Mountain Trail is part of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT) which is a foot path from Mexico to Canada. Big Meadows is a great place to view elk, moose, and deer. Other animals you can see in the area are abert squirrels, river otters, weasels, and black bear.Big Meadow...Read more -
Larimer County, Colorado
Sky Pond via Glacier Gorge Trailhead
4.78.43 mi / 1765 ft gainStart at the Glacier Gorge trailhead on Bear Lake Road. Parking is limited so it is advised to get there very early. It's a longer hike so plan on taking a full day to complete or stay overnight to enjoy more of the scenery. Within the first mile on the Glacier Gorge Trail you will pass by Alber...Read more -
Estes Park, Colorado
Green Lake via Glacier Gorge Trail
5.011.38 mi / 2352 ft gainBegin at the popular Glacier Gorge trailhead along Bear Lake Road in Rocky Mountain National Park. Arrive VERY early for parking as the lot typically fills by 7:30 am. For the best photography options - choose to either backpack into the Glacier Gorge campsite (reservations must be made early in ...Read more -
Larimer County, Colorado
Nymph, Dream, Emerald, and Haiyaha Lakes
5.04.51 mi / 1125 ft gainFrom the Bear Lake Trailhead, the path to Nymph Lake is a moderate paved trail. At the lake there are several places to sit and take in the scenery. This is also where you'll find the most people. From here, continue up the trail towards Dream Lake. On the way, the trail forks. The left will take...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
Section House
5.012.23 mi / 1801 ft gainThere are a couple routes to Section House 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...Read more -
Estes Park, Colorado
Odessa Lake via Fern Lake Trailhead
4.09.65 mi / 2008 ft gainOdessa Lake seems to be one of the true hidden gems of Rocky Mountain National Park. Don't get me wrong, you will likely see some folks there, but it is a far cry from the other crowded Bear Lake trailhead lakes. There are two ways to reach Odessa; one, from the Bear Lake Trailhead, and the oth...Read more -
Estes Park, Colorado
Cub Lake
5.05.27 mi / 771 ft gainRocky Mountain National Park showcases 355 miles of hiking trails, 6 campgrounds, and hundreds of backcountry camp sites. Cub Lake is an excellent trail for viewing wildlife. There are small ponds that you will pass on this trail that are great locations for spotting elk, mule deer, and moose. ...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 -
Frisco, Colorado
Backpack the Colorado Trail: Copper Mountain to Hagerman Pass
39 miThe Colorado Trail (CT) runs for 483 miles from Denver to Durango, crossing through eight mountain ranges and passing through six wilderness areas. There are great resources on completing a thru-hike of the CT; this post is about Segments 8-9 of the CT from Copper Mountain to Tennessee Pass.These...Read more -
Frisco, Colorado
Janet's Cabin
11.7 mi / 1968.07 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 -
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
Francie's Cabin
5.02.77 mi / 1001 ft gainFrancie's Cabin offers great views of the 10 Mile Range and easy access to the Crystal Lakes and Mohawk Lake's Basin, complete with a sauna. Located 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 lo...Read more -
Breckenridge, Colorado
Boreas Pass Road
5.09 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 -
Breckenridge, Colorado
Lower Mohawk Lake via Spruce Creek
4.05.74 mi / 1539.04 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 -
Estes Park, Colorado
Hike Deer Mountain
5.06.03 mi / 1243 ft gainBeginning in Rocky Mountain National Park near the Deer Ridge Junction (where US 34 & US 36 meet), park your car in one of the 20 spots on either side of the road. Start at the trailhead booth and head north, keeping to the right-side trail at the first intersection about a tenth of a mile fr...Read more