top of page
Image by Mike Scheid

Colorado

29

Image by Ashley Knedler

Where will you

Explore?

Weekend Getaways

Gritty Expeditions

Backpacking in Colorado

Get Rocky Mountain high in elevation when you set your sight west to Colorado. Stand at the top of the earth on Mt. Elbert, Colorado’s highest 14er or sand board your way through Great Sand Dunes National Park. From ancient ruins to panoramic vistas, backcountry camping in Colorado is every outdoor enthusiasts dream. Find your trail for 2 day backpacking trips in Colorado or gritty expeditions and experience the landscape first hand.

*Our information may not always be current and should be used for trip planning / selection purposes only. Always call ahead for the most current information before setting out on your trip.

Weekend Getaway

Weekend Getaways

Golden Gate Canyon State Park.jpg

Golden Gate Canyon State Park

Number of Miles of Trail: 32

Group Size Limit: 6

Best For: 1-3 nights

Permit/Reservation: Required 

Lory State Park.jpg

Lory State Park

Number of Miles of Trail: 26

Group Size Limit: 6

Best For: 1-3 nights

Permit/Reservation: Required 

Gritty Expeditions

Anchor 1
Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Paw

Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests & Pawnee National Grassland

Number of Miles of Trail: 450+

Group Size Limit: 12

Best For: 1-13 nights (hard limit, within 20 mile radius) 

Permit/Reservation: Required 

Collegiate Peaks Wilderness .jpg

Collegiate Peaks Wilderness 

Number of Miles of Trail: 196*

Group Size Limit: 15

Best For: 1-27 nights (hard limit)

Permit/Reservation: Not required 

*Estimate

Comanche Peak Wilderness.jpg

Comanche Peak Wilderness

Number of Miles of Trail: 121

Group Size Limit: 12

Best For: 1-13 nights (hard limit, within 20 mile radius)

Permit/Reservation: Not required 

Eagles Nest Wilderness.jpg

Eagles Nest Wilderness

Number of Miles of Trail: 180

Group Size Limit: 15

Best For: 1-13 nights (hard limit)

Permit/Reservation: Required 

Flat Tops Wilderness .jpg

Flat Tops Wilderness 

Number of Miles of Trail: 160

Group Size Limit: 15

Best For: 1-13 nights (hard limit)

Permit/Reservation: Not required 

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Prese

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

Number of Miles of Trail: Few; mostly off-trail hiking

Group Size Limit: 6 in the park, 15 in the preserve

Best For: 1-14 nights (hard limit)

Permit/Reservation: Required 

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison Nat

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, & Gunnison National Forests

Number of Miles of Trail: 3,500

Group Size Limit: 15

Best For: 1-27 nights (hard limit)

Permit/Reservation: Not required 

Holy Cross Wilderness.jpg

Holy Cross Wilderness

Number of Miles of Trail: 150

Group Size Limit: 15

Best For: 1-20 nights

Permit/Reservation: Required 

Image by Andrew Robert Lauko

Hunter-Frying Pan Wilderness 

Number of Miles of Trail: 65

Group Size Limit: 15

Best For: 1-13 nights (hard limit)

Permit/Reservation: Not required 

Indian Peaks Wilderness .jpg

Indian Peaks Wilderness 

Number of Miles of Trail: 133

Group Size Limit: 12

Best For: 1-13 nights (hard limit, within 20 mile radius)

Permit/Reservation: Required 

La Garita Wilderness.jpg

La Garita Wilderness

Number of Miles of Trail: 175

Group Size Limit: 15

Best For: 1- 27 nights (hard limit)

Permit/Reservation: Not required 

Lost Creek Wilderness.jpg

Lost Creek Wilderness

Number of Miles of Trail: 105

Group Size Limit: 15

Best For: 1-14 nights

Permit/Reservation: Required 

Medicine Bow – Routt National Forest & T

Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests & Thunder Basin National Grassland

Number of Miles of Trail: 1,000

Group Size Limit: 25

Best For: 1-∞ nights

Permit/Reservation: Not required 

Mount Evans Wilderness.jpg

Mount Evans Wilderness

Number of Miles of Trail: 84

Group Size Limit: 15

Best For: 1-13 nights (hard limit, within 20 mile radius)

Permit/Reservation: Required 

Pike and San Isabel National Forests Cim

Pike & San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron & Comanche National Grasslands

Number of Miles of Trail: 200+*

Group Size Limit: 15

Best For: 1-27 nights (hard limit)

Permit/Reservation: Not required

*Estimate 

Raggeds Wilderness.jpg

Raggeds Wilderness

Number of Miles of Trail: 90

Group Size Limit: 15

Best For: 1-12 nights

Permit/Reservation: Not required 

Rawah Wilderness.jpg

Rawah Wilderness

Number of Miles of Trail: 85

Group Size Limit: 12

Best For: 1-13 nights (hard limit, within 20 mile radius)

Permit/Reservation: Not required 

Rio Grande National Forest.jpg

Rio Grande National Forest

Number of Miles of Trail: 1,300+

Group Size Limit: 15

Best For: 1-14 nights (hard limit)

Permit/Reservation: Not required 

Rocky Mountain National Park.jpg

Rocky Mountain National Park

Number of Miles of Trail: 355

Group Size Limit: 7 cross country, 12 on trail 

Best For: 1-14 nights (hard limit)

Permit/Reservation: Required 

Sangre de Cristo Wilderness .jpg

Sangre de Cristo Wilderness 

Number of Miles of Trail: 180

Group Size Limit: 15

Best For: 1-27 nights (hard limit)

Permit/Reservation: Not required 

San Juan National Forest.jpg

San Juan National Forest

Number of Miles of Trail: 1,800+

Group Size Limit: 15

Best For: 1-27 nights (hard limit)

Permit/Reservation: Not required 

South San Juan Wilderness.jpg

South San Juan Wilderness

Number of Miles of Trail: 180

Group Size Limit: 15

Best For: 1-25 nights

Permit/Reservation: Not required 

Image by Holly Mandarich

State Forest State Park

Number of Miles of Trail: 94

Group Size Limit: N/A

Best For: 1-13 nights

Permit/Reservation: Not required 

Uncompahgre Wilderness.jpg

Uncompahgre Wilderness

Number of Miles of Trail: 110 

Group Size Limit: 15

Best For: 1-15 nights

Permit/Reservation: Not required 

Weminuche Wilderness.jpg

Weminuche Wilderness

Number of Miles of Trail: 200*

Group Size Limit: 15

Best For: 1-27 nights (hard limit)

Permit/Reservation: Not required

*Estimate 

Elk Herd Grazing

West Elk Wilderness 

Number of Miles of Trail: 200

Group Size Limit: 15

Best For: 1-27 nights (hard limit)

Permit/Reservation: Not required 

White River National Forest.jpg

White River National Forest

Number of Miles of Trail: 2500+

Group Size Limit: 15

Best For: 1-27 nights (hard limit)

Permit/Reservation: Not required 

Looking for more backpacking trails near Colorado? Explore Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Utah state pages for more close trips!

Don't see your favorite place? Found an error on the site? Let us know and help backpackers everywhere!

​

bottom of page