Wilderness Stock Sites

Due to rapidly changing conditions associated with the mountain pine beetle infestation and resulting dead trees that pose potential hazards, our requirements and regulations associated with wilderness campsites and camping are also changing rapidly. Contact the Wilderness Office (970-586-1242) for current conditions, regulations and requirements.

Wilderness Stock Site Regulations (HORSES, MULES, BURROS, LLAMAS):

  • Camp safely away from standing dead trees as near as is safely possible to the silver metal arrowhead that marks the site.
  • Camp must be established in "stock sites" only.
  • Party size is limited to 6 people and 8 stock at individual stock sites.
  • Party size is limited to 12 people and 16 stock at group stock sites.
  • Use stoves only. Fires prohibited, unless staying in a wood fire site with visible metal fire ring (using dead and down wood only).
  • Grazing is prohibited. Carry complete feed (certified weed free).
  • Hitchracks are provided at all stock sites (posts at llama-only sites) and stock must be securely tied to the hitchrack/posts overnight. No public corrals are provided. Highlining, hobbling, loose herding, temporary corrals and other means of confinement are not allowed.
  • Stock users are expected to clean up after their stock, including packing out any uneaten feed, spreading manure and filling in any holes caused by pawing.

Some trails are closed to stock use. For more information read the Horses and Pack Animals Brochure.

HWB in Privy Column indicates that campers are strongly encouraged to carry out human waste in specially provided biodegradable disposable bags (Human Waste Bags) when using the site.

Site Code

Name of Camp Area and Trailhead

20 Year Average Snow Free Date

Individual Site, 6 people 8 stock

Group Site, 12 people 16 stock

Distance from Trailhead in Miles

Site Elevation in Feet

Privy

East Side of the Park

011

Lost Meadow
Dunraven Trailhead

UNAVAILABLE

016

Big Horn Mountain
Lawn Lake, Lumpy Ridge or Cow Creek Trailheads

6/25

1

7.1

10,320

Yes

023

Lawn Lake
Lawn Lake, Lumpy Ridge or Cow Creek Trailheads

6/26

1

6.2

10,990

Yes

025

Ute Meadow
Upper Beaver Meadows Trailhead

6/10

1(llamas only, limit 5)

2.7

9,450

No

052

Aspen Knoll
Wild Basin Trailhead

5/26

1(llamas only, limit 5)

2.3

9,400

No

055

Thunder Lake
Wild Basin Trailhead

7/5

1

6.8

10,570

Yes

058

Finch Lake
Finch Lake or Wild Basin Trailheads

6/11

1

4.6

9,910

Yes

West Side of the Park

074

North Inlet
North Inlet Trailhead

6/19

1

6.5

9,290

No

091

Tonahutu
Tonahutu or Green Mountain Trailhead

UNAVAILABLE

093

Haynach
Tonahutu or Green Mountain Trailhead

7/7

1(llamas only, limit 5)

7.2

10,760

No

109

Ditch Camp
Colorado River Trailhead

6/26

1

4.6

10,160

HWB

115

Hague Creek
Corral Creek Trailhead

UNAVAILABLE

119

Koenig
Corral Creek Trailhead

7/11

1

5.2

10,680

No


Last updated: August 2, 2023

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

1000 US Hwy 36
Estes Park, CO 80517

Phone:

970 586-1206
The Information Office is open year-round: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. daily in summer; 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Mondays - Fridays and 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Saturdays - Sundays in winter. Recorded Trail Ridge Road status: (970) 586-1222.

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