Colorado

The James Peak area became part of the National Wilderness Preservation System in 2002. James Peak (13,294 feet) was named for Edwin James, an American physician and botanist who traveled to Colorado on the 1819 U.S. Army expedition led by Major Stephen Long. James was the first botanist to describe many of the plants of the Rocky Mountains.

Bordered by Indian Peaks Wilderness to the north, the 17,015-acre James Peak Wilderness is located within Boulder, Gilpin and Clear Creek counties. Adjacent to the Continental Divide on the eastern slope, James Peak Wilderness includes several peaks over 13,000 feet and more than a dozen alpine lakes.

The area's elevation ranges from 9,200 to 13,294 feet, which includes upper montane, sub-alpine, and alpine ecosystems of the Rocky Mountains. Always use Leave No Trace techniques to help keep this area wild, clean, and pristine.

James Peak Wilderness Rogers Peak Lake

Rogers Peak Lake in the James Peak Wilderness © Outdoor Trail Maps LLC

When Open? Area Acres Operated By
Year-round; 24 hours a day 17,015 acres US Forest Service:
Boulder Ranger District
Clear Creek Ranger District
Sulphur Ranger District
Dogs Allowed? Miles of Trail Max/Min Elev (ft)
Dogs allowed on leash 102 9,130ft - 13,380ft
Location overview for Indian Peaks Wilderness / James Peak Wilderness Map

James Peak Wilderness Trail and Map Finder

Area Hiking Trails:
1 - Arapaho Lakes Trail
2 - Colorado Mines Peak Trail
3 - Columbine Drive Connector Trail - PRIMITIVE
4 - Corona Lake Trail #8
5 - Crater Lakes Trail #819
Area Hiking Trails:
1 - Arapaho Lakes Trail
2 - Colorado Mines Peak Trail
3 - Columbine Drive Connector Trail - PRIMITIVE
4 - Corona Lake Trail #8
5 - Crater Lakes Trail #819
6 - Forest Lakes Spur Trail
7 - Forest Lakes Trail #809
8 - Heart Lake Trail
9 - James Peak Lake Trail #804
10 - James Peak Summit Spur Trail
11 - Jenny Creek Trail #808.1
12 - Jim Creek Trail #94
13 - Lake Lomond Trail
14 - Moffat Trail #71
15 - Needle Eye Tunnel Trail
16 - Old Rail Trestles Trail
17 - Reynolds and Steuart Lake Trail
18 - Riflesight Trail #76
19 - Rogers Pass Trail #93
20 - Rogers Peak Lake Trail
21 - Saint Marys Glacier Area Trails 1
22 - Saint Marys Glacier Area Trails 2 - PRIMITIVE
23 - Saint Marys Glacier Trail
24 - South Boulder Creek Trail #900
25 - Spur Trail
26 - Trail #353.4A
27 - Trail #353.4B
28 - Trail #501
29 - Upper Crater Lakes Trail
30 - Ute Trail #803
31 - Ute-CDT Cutoff Trail
Area Trailheads:
1 - Berthoud Pass Trailhead
2 - CDNST - Rollins Pass to Rogers Pass
3 - Corona Lake Trail #8
4 - Forest Lakes Trail #809
5 - Jenny Creek Trail #808.1
Area Trailheads:
1 - Berthoud Pass Trailhead
2 - CDNST - Rollins Pass to Rogers Pass
3 - Corona Lake Trail #8
4 - Forest Lakes Trail #809
5 - Jenny Creek Trail #808.1
6 - Jenny Creek Trail #808.1
7 - Jim Creek Trail #94
8 - Jim Creek Trail #94
9 - Lake Lomond Trail
10 - Moffat Trail #71
11 - Riflesight Trail #76
12 - Riflesight Trail #76
13 - Rogers Pass Trail #93
14 - South Boulder Creek Trail #900
15 - Ute Trail #803
Area Campgrounds:
1 - Midland Group Campground
2 - Mizpah Campground
3 - Robbers Roost Campground