Indian Peaks Wilderness Overnight Permits – Full Season in Advance
Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee Ng
This is the page to purchase Indian Peaks Wilderness Overnight Permits – Full Season in Advance.
Permits go on sale the first Tuesday in March. For 2026 this will be March 3rd at 8:00 a.m. Mountain Standard Time.
For the most current trail conditions please visit Indian Peaks Wilderness Alliance
This may not be the only permit you need for your trip. Overnight Permits, Day Use Permits and Timed Entry Reservations are required to visit Indian Peaks Wilderness depending on season, group size, and location. Before purchasing this permit, view all requirements at Indian Peaks Wilderness . New for 2026: This year, the current concessionaire for the Arapaho Roosevelt Pawnee, Outdoor Recreation Hospitality, will implement fees at two sites with access to the Indian Peaks Wilderness to help maintain those areas. Concessionaires help deliver quality recreation experiences by operating, maintaining and improving recreation sites, such as campgrounds, picnic areas and trailheads. In 2026, these fee sites will include Rainbow Lakes Trailhead and Middle St. Vrain Trailhead in the Boulder Ranger District. More information can be found HERE
Indian Peaks Wilderness is located along the Continental Divide between Boulder County to the east and Grand County to the west. Indian Peaks Wilderness is a popular destination for day hiking, backpacking, fishing, and viewing wildlife.
Indian Peaks Wilderness is divided into 17 backcountry zones. Each zone has a permit quota to ensure enjoyment by all visitors and to protect and preserve the wilderness environment from the adverse cumulative impacts due to repeated use.
Notifications and Alerts
Indian Peaks Wilderness backcountry camping permits will go on sale at 8 a.m. MST, Tuesday, March 3rd 2026. Please be aware when booking your trip, that many of the higher elevation areas and mountain passes of the Wilderness can remain snow covered well into July and may be impassable early in the season. Significant resource damage can occur from wayfinding around snowfields and cornices; stay on trail while traversing this fragile ecosystem. In backcountry zones with designated campsites (Diamond, Jasper, Caribou, and Crater Lake) visitors may not camp outside of designated sites, regardless of conditions. Visitors entering or exiting the Wilderness through the Brainard Lake Recreation Area will also need an overnight parking reservation for their desired trailhead. Parking reservations may be obtained here.
The following conditions were evaluated 6/8-6/11: trails are still wet and muddy with patchy snow drifts on many trails above 10,500ft. Some trails are mostly snow-free, while others still have drifts. Conditions vary with aspect and tree-cover: sunny, wind-scoured or more open locations have less snow and drier trails. Popular lake destinations above 10,500ft. still have snow covering camping areas, or have mud or standing water. Designated campsites at Jasper Lake are mostly under snow and not useable. Sites 5 and 6 at Jasper may be available. Sites 1 and 5-7 were observed at Diamond Lake and all were completely snow-covered. Site 5 could be used. Sites 2-4 were not observed but expect snow on access trails and likely in campsites. Group sites are still buried at both locations. Public observations from Caribou Lake report considerable snow remaining in the basin. Snow-covered designated sites can still be used with a tarp and some shoveling to level the snow.
As a reminder, ALL CAMPING MUST REMAIN IN COMPLIANCE WITH WILDERNESS REGULATIONS, regardless of snow conditions. In zones that have designated sites**, tents must be in an official campsite (marked by numbered, wooden signs). In zones without designated campsites, tents must be at least 100ft. from the trail and from water. **If your permit is issued to camp in a zone with designated sites and no sites are available due to snow cover, you may choose to camp on snow or leave that zone and camp in an adjacent zone where dispersed camping is permitted.
Mountain passes (Buchanan, Devils Thumb, Caribou and Pawnee Pass) are still snowy and difficult (especially Buchanan). SIGNIFICANT DOWNED TREES ARE STILL BLOCKING MANY TRAILS AND CREATING VERY DIFFICULT TRAVEL CONDITIONS. Loop hikes are strongly discouraged until passes melt out and downed trees are mitigated, especially for the Buchanan/Pawnee Pass loop. Please remember, scrambling at all costs to reach your destination causes significant trail and resource damage.
Conditions are being assessed throughout the week and are reported to Forest Service Information Services. Updates are also posted as “ALERTS” here, on the Indian Peaks permit website (Recreation.gov). We recommend that you check conditions prior to your trip. For more information, you can contact the Forest Service Visitor Information Line at (970) 295-6600 or visit the Forest Service website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/arp.
Permit & Season Information
These permits allow for advanced planning and are released for the entire season in early March. During the summer, you can also check the "3 Day in Advance" permits for additional availability.
This permit allows the permit holder and their group (max. 12 people) to overnight camp in one of the selected Backcountry Zones within Indian Peaks Wilderness. The permit holder will have the ability to print their permit through their Recreation.gov account starting 7 days prior to the permit entry date.
This may not be the only permit you need for your trip. Overnight Permits, Day Use Permits and Timed Entry Reservations are required to visit Indian Peaks Wilderness depending on season, group size, and location. Before purchasing this permit, view all requirements at Indian Peaks Wilderness .
Need to Know
Regulations –These regulations exist to protect and preserve the Indian Peaks for present and future generations. The following are subject to minimum $100 and maximum $5000 in fines and/or 6 months imprisonment:
Campfires
- Campfires are prohibited on the east side of the Continental Divide.
- Campfires are also prohibited in the following areas west of the Continental Divide: Crater Lake, Caribou Lake, Columbine Lake, Pawnee Lake, Gourd Lake, Upper Cascade Creek (above Cascade Falls)
- Where allowed, campfires must be located at least 100 feet away from lakes, streams, and trails
Pets
- Pets must always be on a hand-held leash at all times.
Camping
- A permit is required for anyone planning to stay overnight between June 1 and September 15.
- Campsites must be located at least 100 feet away from all lakes, streams, and trails.
- Four Lakes Backcountry Zone is closed to overnight camping from May 1 through November 15.
- The following backcountry zones allow camping only in designated campsites: Diamond Lake , Jasper Lake , Crater Lake , Caribou Lake .
Group Size
- Group size is limited to no more than 12 people or 12 people and pack stock combined, year-round.
Motorized/Mechanized Equipment
- Motorized equipment (including drones) and mechanized transportation (including bicycles) are prohibited within the Indian Peaks Wilderness.
- Wheeled devices (motorized or non-motorized) that are essential for the mobility of people with disabilities are allowed.
Recreation Livestock
- Hobbling, tethering, or picketing of livestock, such as horses, llamas, or other livestock is prohibited within 100 feet of lakes, streams, or trails.
- Processed weed-free feed is required for livestock and must include original and current documentation.
- Pack stock are prohibited within these backcountry zones and on these trails: Crater Lake, Four Lakes, Diamond Lake, Upper Cascade Creek (above Cascade Falls), Diamond Lake Trail
Backcountry Safety
- Be prepared for changing and severe weather conditions: Afternoon thunder and lightning storms are common in the mountains. Avoid exposed areas and tall single trees during storms. High winds can cause beetle-weakened trees to fall.
- Purify all water from lakes or streams before drinking: Giardia and other parasites are common in mountain water sources and can cause serious illness.
- To reduce the risk of altitude sickness, avoid overexertion, slow down, and stay hydrated: Descend to lower elevations if symptoms occur.
- Hypothermia can be life-threatening: Bring appropriate clothing and gear.
- Plan your route, carry maps and a compass: Always tell someone your plans.
- Carry first aid supplies.
Leave No Trace
- Plan Ahead and Prepare: Proper planning and preparation helps hikers and campers have a safe trip and minimize impacts to natural and cultural resources.
- Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces: Camp in wooded areas where trees offer shelter from wind and provide privacy, and the ground is more durable than in open meadows or alpine areas. Avoid areas with standing dead trees.
- Dispose of Waste Properly: Bury human waste in cat holes 6 to 8 inches deep and at least 200 feet from water, trails, and campsites. Carry out toilet paper, pet waste, food scraps, and all trash.
- Minimize Campfire Impacts: Lightweight camp stoves make low impact camping possible by preventing scars that remain after a campfire.
- Leave What You Find: Allow others a sense of discovery by leaving rocks, plants, archaeological artifacts and other objects as you find them. (Removal of artifacts from public lands is illegal.)
- Respect Wildlife: Observe wildlife from a distance to avoid disturbing them. Store food securely. Keep garbage and food scraps away from animals so they will not acquire bad habits. Keep pets leashed to avoid harassment or injury to wildlife.
- Respect Others: Travel and camp in small groups and help maintain the peace by camping out of sight and sound of others. Keep pets leashed and always pick up after yourself and your pet.
Fee Policy
Each Overnight Permit costs $11.00
- $6.00 non-refundable recreation.gov reservation fee
- $5.00 non-refundable Forest Service recreation fee
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation Policy:
- Permit holders may cancel their permit at any point prior to 7 days before their trip – no refunds. If you know that you will not be attending your trip please cancel your permit to make those days available for someone else.
- Once downloaded or printed, the permit is considered issued and cancellations are not allowed.
Change Policy:
- Once created, the permit holder may modify their itinerary locations, group size, entry and exit points and number of pets prior to downloading or printing the permit.
- The permit holder may not modify the permit start date. If the permit holder would like to change their start date, they will be required to cancel their existing reservation and book a new reservation.
- Once downloaded or printed, the permit is considered issued and modifications or cancellations will no longer be allowed.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
Phone Number
Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests & Pawnee National Grassland Visitor Information: 970-295-6600
