Colorado

The United States Congress designated the Eagles Nest Wilderness in 1976 and it now has a total of 133,496 acres. All of this wilderness is located in Colorado and is managed by the White River National Forest.

The rugged mountains of the Gore Range are at the heart of the Eagles Nest Wilderness and serve as a major contribution to the waters of the Colorado River. Melting snow in the spring plunges from the heights to create thundering creeks, verdant meadows and spectacular wildflowers. This is an area that is more vertical than horizontal, with jagged peaks, sharp-edged ridges, deep valleys, sparkling alpine lakes and dense forests.

The area is known for its excellent hiking and backpacking on approximately 180 miles of trails that can be accessed from the towns of Silverthorne, Frisco and Vail, Colorado.

Many of the high alpine lakes are being heavily impacted as a result of increased visitor use. Negative impacts are occurring to the natural resources including vegetation, wildlife and water.

Protect this special place for the future by always using Leave No Trace techniques and following all special Wilderness restrictions including: Camping - Wilderness appropriate campsites are previously impacted sites, at least 100 feet from trails, lakes and streams. Fires - Campstoves are recommended. Fires are prohibited within l00 feet of any stream or Forest Service Trail, within ¼ mile of any lake, or at any point above treeline. Please refrain from having campfires in areas without dead and down firewood. Human Waste and Trash - Poop and litter is piling up in popular destinations. Do your part, pack out all trash (DO NOT BURN) and consider packing out your poop to prevent sanitation issues. Dogs - Pets are required to be on a leash to protect wildlife, other visitor’s experience and your privilege to have them with you.

Eagles Nest Wilderness in the Gore Range of Colorado
The Gore Range" (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Jeffrey Beall
When Open? Area Acres Operated By
Year-round; 24 hours a day 133,496 acres US Forest Service:
Dillon Ranger District
Holy Cross Ranger District
Dogs Allowed? Miles of Trail Max/Min Elev (ft)
Dogs allowed on leash 290 7,840ft - 13,580ft
Location overview of Eagles Nest Wilderness Map

Eagles Nest Wilderness Trail and Map Finder

Area Hiking Trails:
1 - 1883 - 1886 Connect Trail #1886.1A
2 - Big Park Trail #1892.1
3 - Bighorn Trail #2013.1
4 - Booth Lake Trail #2011.1
5 - Boulder Lake East Trail #59.1
Area Hiking Trails:
1 - 1883 - 1886 Connect Trail #1886.1A
2 - Big Park Trail #1892.1
3 - Bighorn Trail #2013.1
4 - Booth Lake Trail #2011.1
5 - Boulder Lake East Trail #59.1
6 - Boulder Lake North Shore Trail
7 - Boulder Lake West Trail #59.1
8 - Brush Creek Trail #68.1
9 - Buck Creek Trail #2106.1
10 - Buffalo Cabin Area Trails 1
11 - Buffalo Cabin Area Trails 2
12 - Buffalo Cabin Connector Trail
13 - Buffalo Cabin Trail #31.1
14 - Buffalo Mountain Trail #31W.1A
15 - Buffehr Creek Trail 2111.1
16 - Cataract Loop TRail #57.1
17 - Corral Creek Spur Trail
18 - Corral Creek Spur Trail - Primitive
19 - Corral Creek Trail #41.1
20 - Deluge Lake Trail #2014.1
21 - Eaglesmere Lakes Spur Trail
22 - Eaglesmere Trail #61.1
23 - East Meadow Creek Trail #1886.1
24 - Elliot Ridge Trail #1895.1
25 - Emerald Road Access Trail
26 - Gore Creek Trail #2015.1
27 - Gore Lake Trail #2015.1A
28 - Gore Range Access Trail
29 - Gore Range Trail #60.1
30 - Gore Spur Trail
31 - Harrigan Creek Trail #9099
32 - Lily Pad Lake Spur Trail
33 - Lily Pad Trail #50.1
34 - Lost Lake Spur Trail
35 - Lost Lake Trail #1893.1
36 - Lost Lake Trail #64.1
37 - Lost Lake to Piney Trail #1984.1
38 - Lower Piney Trail #1890.1
39 - Mahan Lake - Gore Range Connector Trail
40 - Mahan Lake Trail
41 - Meadow - East Meadow Link Trail #1183.1
42 - Meadow Creek - Soda Lakes Connector Trail #1891.1A
43 - Meadow Creek Trail #1891.1
44 - Meadow Creek Trail #33.1
45 - Meadow Creek Trail #410.1
46 - Mesa Cortina Access Trail
47 - Mesa Cortina Connector Trail
48 - Mesa Cortina Trail #32.1
49 - Mount Powell Summit Trail - Primitive
50 - North Tenmile Trail #37.1
51 - North Vail Access Trail
52 - North Vail Area Trails 1
53 - North Vail Trail #1896.3
54 - North Willow Creek Access Trail
55 - North Willow Creek Connector Trail
56 - North Willow Creek Trail #9157
57 - Nottingham Ridge Spur Trail
58 - Nottingham Ridge Trail #2107.1
59 - Pebble Creek Trail #60W.1B
60 - Pine Creek Trail #1184
61 - Pitkin Trail #2012.1
62 - Red and White Mountain Trail #2233
63 - Rock Creek Park Trail #1882.1
64 - Rock Creek Trail #46.1
65 - Ryan Gulch Access Trails 1
66 - Ryan Gulch Access Trails 2
67 - Ryan Gulch Area Trails 1
68 - Ryan Gulch Area Trails 2
69 - Ryan Gulch Area Trails 3
70 - Ryan Gulch Area Trails 4
71 - Ryan Gulch Main Trail #N450.1
72 - Salmon Lake Trail #36.1A
73 - Slate Creek Trail #65
74 - Slate Lake Spur Trail
75 - Soda Lakes Trail #1889.1
76 - Son of Middle Creek Trail #2136.1
77 - Spraddle Creek Spur Trail
78 - Spraddle Creek Trail
79 - Spur Trail
80 - Surprise Lake Spur Trail
81 - Surprise Lake Trail #62.1
82 - Tipperary Lake Trail #61
83 - Trail #1881 - Motorized
84 - Trail #1884.1
85 - Trail #1884.2A
86 - Unkown Name Trail
87 - Upper Bighorn Route - Primitive
88 - Upper Boulder Lake Trail - Primitive
89 - Upper Cataract Lake Spur Trail
90 - Upper Cataract Lake Trail #63.1
91 - Upper Piney Lake Trail - Primitive
92 - Upper Piney Trail #1885.1
93 - Vail Area Trails 1
94 - Vail Area Trails 2
95 - Vail Area Trails 3
96 - Vail Area Trails 4
97 - Wheeler Lakes Spur Trail
98 - Wheeler Lakes Trail
99 - Willow Creek Access Trail #9154
100 - Willow Lakes Trail #36.1
Area Trailheads:
1 - Big Park Trail #1892.1
2 - Big Park Trailhead
3 - Bighorn Trail #2013.1
4 - Booth Lake Trail #2011.1
5 - Boulder Lake East Trail #59.1
Area Trailheads:
1 - Big Park Trail #1892.1
2 - Big Park Trailhead
3 - Bighorn Trail #2013.1
4 - Booth Lake Trail #2011.1
5 - Boulder Lake East Trail #59.1
6 - Brush Creek Trail #68.1
7 - Buck Creek Trail #2106.1
8 - Buck Creek Trail #2106.1
9 - Buffalo Cabin Connector Trail
10 - Buffalo Cabin Trail #31.1
11 - Buffehr Creek Trail 2111.1
12 - Cataract Loop TRail #57.1
13 - Corral Creek Trail #41.1
14 - Eaglesmere Trail #61.1
15 - Elliot Ridge Trail #1895.1
16 - Emerald Road Access Trail
17 - Gore Creek Trail #2015.1
18 - Gore Range Trail #60.1
19 - Gore Range Trail #60.1
20 - Harrigan Creek Trail #9099
21 - Lost Lake Trail #1893.1
22 - Lost Lake Trail #1893.1
23 - Lost Lake to Piney Trail #1984.1
24 - Lower Piney Trail #1890.1
25 - Lower Piney Trail #1890.1
26 - Mahan Lake - Gore Range Connector Trail
27 - Maryland Creek Trail #N392.1
28 - Meadow Creek Trail #33.1
29 - Meadow Creek Trail #410.1
30 - Mesa Cortina Access Trail
31 - Mesa Cortina Connector Trail
32 - North Tenmile Trail #37.1
33 - North Vail Trail #1896.3
34 - North Vail Trail #1896.3
35 - North Willow Creek Access Trail
36 - North Willow Creek Access Trail
37 - Nottingham Ridge Spur Trail
38 - Pitkin Trail #2012.1
39 - Red and White Mountain Trail #2233
40 - Red and White Mountain Trail #2233
41 - Rock Creek Park Trail #1882.1
42 - Rock Creek Park Trail #1882.1
43 - Rock Creek Trail #46.1
44 - Ryan Gulch Area Trails 3
45 - Son of Middle Creek Trail #2136.1
46 - Surprise Lake Trail #62.1
47 - Upper Piney Trail #1885.1
48 - Willow Creek Access Trail #9154
Area Campgrounds:
1 - Blue River Campground
2 - Cataract Creek Campground
3 - Cow Creek North Campground
4 - Cow Creek South Campground
5 - Elliott Creek Campground
Area Campgrounds:
1 - Blue River Campground
2 - Cataract Creek Campground
3 - Cow Creek North Campground
4 - Cow Creek South Campground
5 - Elliott Creek Campground
6 - Gore Creek Campground
7 - Heaton Bay Campground
8 - McDonald Flats Campground
9 - Prairie Point Campground
10 - Willows Campground