Indian Peaks Wilderness

The Indian Peaks Wilderness lies primarily within the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest, roughly 18 miles north to south and 15 miles east to west at its widest point. Many of its peaks were named for American Indian tribes of the West. The icy remains of the last glacial period sculpted out the rugged terrain, and chill winds off perpetual snowfields have created an environment near treeline of stunted trees and alpine plants unusual for this part of the state. Elevations range from 8,300 to just over 13,500 feet. There are seven peaks over 13,000 feet, approximately 35% of the land area is above treeline, and the Wilderness holds over 50 lakes and 28 maintained trails covering about 133 miles. Management is primarily Forest Service, but a small sliver along the northernmost boundary lies within Rocky Mountain National Park. All of that sliver is above treeline where no camping is allowed, and it contains only one trail — a Forest Service trail that loops into the park for about a mile because of the terrain. This is one of the most popular and heavily used wilderness areas in the country, owing to its closeness to the Denver and Boulder metro area. Camping permits are required for all individuals in the Forest Service portion during the peak season of June 1 to September 15, and permits are required for organized groups such as scouts and hiking clubs for day use or camping at any time of year; the national park portion requires its own backcountry camping permits. Campfires are prohibited on the east side of the Continental Divide and around most lakes on the west side. Designated in 1978 and managed by the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service.