Backpacking permits for the popular Indian Peaks Wilderness, which are required for overnight camping from June 1 to Sept. 15, went on sale Tuesday.
The spectacular Indian Peaks Wilderness, administered by the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests, is located along the Continental Divide south of Rocky Mountain National Park and north of Nederland. It includes a string of 13,000-foot peaks, six passes over the divide, 50 lakes, and 28 trails covering 133 miles. Some of the peaks overlook the picturesque Brainard Lake Recreation area.
Backcountry permits cost $5 and are available through recreation.gov.
In the most popular zones — Crater Lake, Jasper Lake, Diamond Lake and Caribou Lake — camping is allowed in designated areas only. There is a helpful map on the forest service website. There also is a helpful eight-minute video on the recreation.gov site, explaining how to obtain permits.
Overnight parking reservations for visitors planning to access the wilderness via Brainard Lake trailheads are now available. ($16) through recreation.gov.
Thorough planning for backcountry trips and knowing the rules is important:.
- Campfires are prohibited at all times on the east side of the divide. West of the divide, campfire restrictions apply when in effect due to fire danger.
- Visitors are encouraged to pack food in bear-safe storage containers, or hang their food out of the reach of hungry bears.
- Visitors should be equipped to pack out trash and be familiar with Leave No Trace principles.
- Dogs must be leashed.
Day use reservations for Brainard Lake will be available on a rolling basis beginning in mid-May. The Brainard Lake entry station will open June 14 if conditions allow. Upper trailheads and parking areas should open in July.
And here’s a reminder: The road to the summit of Mount Blue Sky, typically managed by CDOT and the Arapaho National Forest with a reservation system, will remain closed this summer for repairs.