Colorado

Established in 1993, Byers Peak Wilderness was named after William N. Byers, founder of Colorado’s first newspaper the Rocky Mountain News. Byers Peak Wilderness encompasses 8,801 acres in the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests in Grand County containing a variety of eco-zones from low-lying lodgepole pine forest and riparian drainages to alpine tundra fields of over 12,000 feet in elevation.

Due to its diverse range of ecological habitat, the area contains a wide variety of flora and fauna. This area is home to many species including deer, elk, bear, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, moose, and several species of trout and small rodents.

This Wilderness also contains two glacial lakes, three major creek drainages and two peaks over 12,500 feet. The highest is Byers Peak with an elevation of 12,804 feet accessible via the Byers Peak Trail.

Always use Leave No Trace techniques to help keep this area wild, clean, and pristine.

Byers Peak Wilderness
Sunrise Blush, Colorado Rocky Mountain P" (CC BY-SA 2.0) by inkknife_2000
When Open? Area Acres Operated By
Year-round; 24 hours a day 8,801 acres US Forest Service:
Sulphur Ranger District
Dogs Allowed? Miles of Trail Max/Min Elev (ft)
Dogs allowed on leash 77 9,880ft - 12,820ft
Location overview for Vasquez / Byers / Ptarmigan Peak Wilderness Map

Byers Peak Wilderness Trail and Map Finder

Area Hiking Trails:
1 - B&B Trail #17.1
2 - Bottle Pass Trail #16
3 - Bottle Peak Trail #16.1
4 - Byers Peak Trail #12
5 - Campground Access Trail
Area Hiking Trails:
1 - B&B Trail #17.1
2 - Bottle Pass Trail #16
3 - Bottle Peak Trail #16.1
4 - Byers Peak Trail #12
5 - Campground Access Trail
6 - Campground Connector Trail
7 - Darling Creek Trail #18
8 - Horseshoe Lake Trail #23
9 - Keyser Ridge Trail #19
10 - Kinney Creek Trail #22
11 - Lake Evelyn Shore Trail
12 - Lake Evelyn Trail #15
13 - Saint Louis Divide Trail #17
14 - Saint Louis Lake Trail #14
15 - Saint Louis Pass Trail #14.1 - PRIMITIVE
16 - South Fork Trail #21
17 - Uknown Name Trail 9
18 - Unknown Name Trail 10
19 - Unknown Name Trail 7
20 - Unknown Name Trail 8
Area Trailheads:
1 - Bottle Pass Trail #16
2 - Keyser Ridge Trail #19
3 - Kinney Creek Trail #22
4 - Lake Evelyn Trail #15
5 - Saint Louis Lake Trailhead
6 - Sugarloaf Trailhead
Area Campgrounds:
1 - Sugarloaf Campground