Colorado

Uncompahgre Wilderness covers 102,721 acres within the north-central region of the San Juan Mountains in Colorado. The Wilderness spans the Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests (99,399 acres) and lands administered by Bureau of Land Management. Elevations range from 8,400 to 14,309 feet. Points of interest include: Uncompahgre Peak (14,309’), Wetterhorn Peak (14,015’), Matterhorn Peak, Coxcomb Peak, Silver Peak, Slide Lake, and Big Blue Creek.

Uncompahgre Peak's unusual broad, flat, tilted summit falls away almost vertically on three sides for as much as 1,500 feet, a landmark visible from far away. Its fourth side lies gentle and inviting to many climbers. Most climbers approach Uncompahgre Peak on three miles of trail up the Nellie Creek. Wetterhorn Peak (14,015 feet) stands just southwest of Uncompahgre Peak. The trail up Matterhorn Creek provides access to Wetterhorn Peak after three miles of hiking.

Water off Wildhorse Peak near the southwest corner combines to create the turbulent and deep Cow Creek Canyon, which is rough and densely forested enough to prevent trails being established here. American Flats lies south of Wildhorse Peak and north of the Alpine Loop Scenic Byway.

Trails lead into the wilderness from trailheads located in the West, Middle, and East Forks of the Big Cimarron River, which flow north out of the central area of the Wilderness. The Big Blue Trail, beginning south of the campground by the same name, also is a major route into the Wilderness. Several trails near the town of Ouray lead into the wilderness from the west. Ridgway, Ouray and Lake City are the closest towns to this Wilderness.

While the lowest elevations of the Uncompahgre Wilderness may be snow free starting in June, the normal snow-free conditions are from mid-July to early September, but conditions vary from year to year. Trails to the 14,000-foot peaks are heavily used. High use of these trails creates a heavy impact on fragile landscapes. Please stay on established trails. Always use Leave No Trace techniques to help keep this area wild, clean, and pristine.

Uncompahgre Wilderness Uncompahgre Peak

Courtesy of the Bureau of Land Management

When Open? Area Acres Operated By
Year-round; 24 hours a day 99,399 acres US Forest Service:
Gunnison Ranger District

Bureau of Land Management:
Gunnison Field Office
Dogs Allowed? Miles of Trail Max/Min Elev (ft)
Dogs allowed on leash 240 8,160ft - 14,320ft
Location overview of Uncompahgre Wilderness Hiking Map

Uncompahgre Wilderness Trail and Map Finder

Area Hiking Trails:
1 - Access Trail
2 - American Flats Alt Approach Trail
3 - American Flats Trail
4 - Baldy Peak Trail
5 - Baldy Trail #6216
Area Hiking Trails:
1 - Access Trail
2 - American Flats Alt Approach Trail
3 - American Flats Trail
4 - Baldy Peak Trail
5 - Baldy Trail #6216
6 - Bear Creek National Recreation Trail #6241
7 - Bear Creek South Fork Trail #6242
8 - Big Blue Creek Trail #9232
9 - Cobbs Gulch Trail #6211
10 - Connector Trail - PRIMITIVE
11 - Courthouse Mountain Trail #144
12 - Courthouse Trail #6218
13 - Cow Creek Trail #6220
14 - Coxcomb Trail #6132
15 - Crystal Lake Access Trail
16 - Crystal Lake Trail #7235
17 - Cutler Creek Trail #6217
18 - Darley Mountain Trail
19 - Denver Pass Trail
20 - Dexter Creek Trail #6205
21 - Difficulty Creek Trail #6214
22 - East Fork Trail #6228
23 - El Paso Creek Trail #7238
24 - Fall Creek Trail #9231
25 - Hay Lake Spur Trail
26 - Horsethief Trail #6215
27 - Independence Bypass Trail #9234.1A
28 - Independence Gulch Trail #7234
29 - Larsen Lakes Cutoff #9236.3A
30 - Larsen Lakes Trail #7236
31 - Left Fork Cutler Creek Trail #6235
32 - Little Elk Trail #7244
33 - Matterhorn Cutoff Trail #9245
34 - Matterhorn Spur Trail #9242
35 - Matterhorn Trail #6135
36 - Middle Canyon Trail #6136
37 - Middle Fork Trail #6227
38 - Middle Fork West Bank Trail
39 - Motorized Trail 1
40 - Okeson Trail #6137
41 - Old Cabin Trail - PRIMITIVE
42 - Old Horsethief Trail
43 - Old Jeep Road 2 - PRIMITIVE
44 - Old Jeep Road 3 - PRIMITIVE
45 - Old Jeep Road 4 - PRIMITIVE
46 - Old Jeep Road 5 - PRIMITIVE
47 - Old Jeep Road 6 - PRIMITIVE
48 - Old Jeep Road 7 - PRIMITIVE
49 - Old Jeep Trail - PRIMITIVE
50 - Old Mine Road Trail
51 - Old Owl Creek Spur A Trail #6236.1A - MOTORIZED
52 - Old Owl Creek Spur B Trail #6236.1B - MOTORIZED
53 - Old Owl Creek Trail #6236 - MOTORIZED
54 - Old Road Access Trail - PRIMITIVE
55 - Old Road Trail - PRIMITIVE
56 - Old Road Trail 1
57 - Old Road Trail 2
58 - Overlook Trail
59 - Porphyry Basin Trail #6243
60 - Primitive Old Road Trail
61 - Primitive Route
62 - Ridge Stock Driveway South Alt Trail - PRIMITIVE
63 - Ridge Stock Driveway South Cutoff Trail
64 - Ridge Stock Driveway Trail #9233
65 - Ridge Stock Driveway Trail South #9233
66 - Saddle Trail #9140
67 - Sheep Mountain Trail #6253
68 - Shortcut Trail #6138
69 - Slide Lake Access Trail
70 - Spalding Park Trail #6237 - MOTORIZED
71 - Spur Trail
72 - Stealey Mountain North Trail #6219
73 - Stealey Mountain South Trail #6258
74 - Stealey Mountain Spur Trail #6219.1B - MOTORIZED
75 - Storm Gulch Trail #6212
76 - Thompson Lake Trail
77 - UNC Wilderness Trail #6126.1A
78 - Uncompahgre Peak Trail #9239
79 - Unknown Name Trail
80 - Unknown Name Trail 2
81 - Upper East Fork Trail #6142
82 - View Trail #9235.1A
83 - Well Gulch Trail #7244.1A
84 - Wetterhorn Basin Spur Trail-PRIMITIVE
85 - Wetterhorn Basin Trail #6226 - PRIMITIVE
86 - Wetterhorn Peak Trail #9256
Area Trailheads:
1 - American Flats Trail
2 - Bear Creek National Recreation Trail #6241
3 - Bear Creek South Fork Trail #6242
4 - Big Blue Creek Trail #9232
5 - Cobbs Gulch Trail #6211
Area Trailheads:
1 - American Flats Trail
2 - Bear Creek National Recreation Trail #6241
3 - Bear Creek South Fork Trail #6242
4 - Big Blue Creek Trail #9232
5 - Cobbs Gulch Trail #6211
6 - Courthouse Trail #6218
7 - Courthouse Trail #6218
8 - Cow Creek Trail #6220
9 - Crystal Lake Trail #7235
10 - Cutler Creek Trail #6217
11 - Denver Pass Trail
12 - Dexter Creek Trail #6205
13 - East Fork Trail #6228
14 - Fall Creek Trail #9231
15 - Independence Gulch Trail #7234
16 - Little Elk Trail #7244
17 - Middle Fork Trail #6227
18 - Middle Fork West Bank Trail
19 - Middle Fork West Bank Trail
20 - Old Owl Creek Spur A Trail #6236.1A
21 - Old Owl Creek Spur B Trail #6236.1B
22 - Old Owl Creek Trail #6236
23 - Old Owl Creek Trail #6236
24 - Ridge Stock Driveway Trail #9233
25 - Ridge Stock Driveway Trail South #9233
26 - Saddle Trail #9140
27 - Stealey Mountain North Trail #6219
28 - Stealey Mountain South Trail #6258
29 - Stealey Mountain Spur Trail #6219.1B
30 - Storm Gulch Trail #6212
31 - UNC Wilderness Trail #6126.1A
32 - Uncompahgre Peak Trail #9239
33 - Well Gulch Trail #7244.1A
34 - Wetterhorn Basin Trail #6226 - PRIMTIVE
Area Campgrounds:
1 - Big Blue Campground - Gunnison RD