Indian Peaks Wilderness Overnight Permits – Full Season in Advance
Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee Ng
There are three types of permits available for visiting the Indian Peaks Wilderness of Colorado:
- Indian Peaks Wilderness Overnight Permits - Full Season in Advance (available on this page)
- These permits become available for reservation on March 16, 2021
- Indian Peaks Wilderness Overnight Permits - 3 Days in Advance
- These permits become available 3 days prior to the start of trip, starting on May 30, 2021
- Indian Peaks Wilderness Large Group (8-12 people) Day Use Permits
- These permits become available for reservation on March 16, 2021
Indian Peaks Wilderness is a popular destination for recreation opportunities in Colorado’s Front Range. The area’s proximity to the Denver Metro area makes it one of the most visited wilderness areas in the country. The Indian Peaks Wilderness was designated as a protected wilderness area in 1978 by an act of Congress. It encompasses 73,391 acres with over 50 lakes, 28 trails covering 133 miles, and six passes across the Continental Divide. Elevations in this wilderness area vary from 8,400 to over 13,500 feet, from montane to sub-alpine and alpine life zones. It is bordered by the James Peak Wilderness to the south and Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) to the north. To preserve the area’s wilderness character, a permit system has been in place for overnight camping since 1985.
To minimize resource damage and optimize the visitor experience, Indian Peaks Wilderness is divided into 17 Backcountry Zones. Each of these zones has a designated quota per day to limit the number of visitors and their ecological impact on the wilderness.
Note: If you plan to park at the Brainard Lake Recreation Area you will need to click here to purchase a timed ticket entry. The timed-entry window set aside for permit is holders is 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. however, you can arrive as early as 5 a.m. Additionally, we are requiring that you make it back to you car by 11 a.m. This will ensure that other permit holders will have a spot for their own trip as well. If you anticipate that you will not make it back by 11 a.m., please reserve an additional night when making your reservation.
Notifications and Alerts
The following trails on the WEST SIDE of the Continental Divide have sections that are impassable due to a severe wind event last September that has resulted in hundreds of downed trees across the trail:
- Devil's Thumb Trail from the Devil's Thumb Park Trailhead to Devil's Thumb Pass.
- Arapaho Pass Trail (east from Monarch Lake trailhead.) Note: The Arapaho Pass trail from the Fourth of July trailhead to Caribou Lake is not impacted.
- Buchanan Pass Trail from the Cascade Creek trail junction to Buchanan Pass.
Snow levels can impact trails at high elevation up until mid-July. Significant levels of snow, ice, and steep cornices often make Buchanan Pass and and Devil's Thumb Pass impassable into-mid July
Permit & Season Information
This permit allows the permit holder and their group (max. 12 people) to overnight camp in one of the selected Backcountry Zones within the Indian Peaks Wilderness.
- From June 1 – September 15 this permit is required to be able to overnight camp in the Indian Peaks Wilderness.
- Large groups (8-12 people) are required to have a permit year-round, for both day trips and overnight camping. These permits are limited to one large group per day/night, per zone.
- Where allowed, pack animals contribute to the total group size (i.e., 3 people and 4 horses would be a group size of 7).
- 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.
About 75% of the quota for each Backcountry Zone is released for reservations for the entire season on this page. The remaining 25% is released three days before a trip could begin on the 3-Days in Advance page.
Need to Know
Regulations –These regulations exist to protect and preserve the Indian Peaks for present and future generations. The following are subject to $5000 in fines and/or 6 months imprisonment:
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.
Pets
- Pets must always be on a hand-held leash at all times.
Group Size
- Group size is limited to no more than 12 people or 12 people and pack stock combined, year-round.
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 30.
- The following backcountry zones allow camping only in designated campsites: Diamond Lake , Jasper Lake , Crater Lake , Caribou Lake .
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
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
Reservation Fee: A $6.00 non-refundable reservation fee is required for each overnight permit/large group permit reserved.
Recreation Fee: A $5.00 Indian Peaks Wilderness recreation fee is required for each overnight permit/large group permit reserved.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation Policy:
- The permit holder may cancel their permit at any point prior to 7 days before their trip – no refunds are provided on cancellation of a permit reservation. Quota from cancelled permits will be immediately released and available to the public upon cancellation.
- Once printed, the permit is considered issued and modifications or cancellations will no longer be 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 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 printed, the permit is considered issued and modifications or cancellations will no longer be allowed.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
Phone Number
Boulder Ranger District (east of Continental Divide): (303) 541-2500 ; Sulphur Ranger District (west of Continental Divide): (970) 887-4100
