The Indian Peaks Wilderness Area is located just south of Rocky Mountain National Park. It runs approximately 18 miles north-south and 15 miles east-west at its longest and widest points, respectively. The Indian Peaks cover 76,586 acres, 35% of which are above tree line, with dozens of alpine lakes across this high expanse. See a complete list of trails here!

Little Blue Lake (11,833') is a challenging scramble above Blue Lake, with Mt Toll reflecting in the background

Monarch Lake is a primary gateway to the west slope of the Indian Peaks

The Neva Lakes (11,836'), often unlabeled on maps, are accessible from Fourth of July Trailhead and form the headwaters of North Fork Middle Boulder Creek

King Lake (11,430') fills a spectacular cirque just below the Continental Divide

Diamond Lake (10,940') is among the most popular alpine lakes in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, celebrated for its idyllic backdrop, wildflowers and camping options

Betty Lake (11,422') is located 5.5 miles from the Hessie Trailhead, and only .5 miles below Bob Lake (11,570')

Deadman Lake (11,281') is a short excursion off the Corona Lake Trail from Rollins Pass

Pumphouse Lake (11,384') is located just west of Rollins Pass on the way to Corona Lake

Lake Isabelle (10,868') is a moderate 2.1 mile hike from the Long Lake Trailhead, with more challenging extensions up to Isabelle Glacier and Pawnee Pass

Columbine Lake (11,060') is located 3.4 miles from Junco Lake Trailhead on the west side of the Indian Peaks Wilderness

Though only 2.6 miles from the Beaver Creek Trailhead, a treacherous 4x4 road keeps crowds light at Coney Lake (10,624')

Mitchell Lake (10,735') is a short hike in from the Brainard Lake Recreation Area, ideal for families and all abilities

No trail leads to the Iceberg Lakes, but they're accessible on a cross-country trek off the High Lonesome Trail from the Continental Divide

Pawnee Lake (10,877') is accessible by an exhilarating but challenging climb over Pawnee Pass, or a more steady approach from Monarch Lake (we recommend the former route!)

Heart Lake (11,310') is aptly named, and one of the most popular backcountry destinations in the Indian Peaks

Rogers Peak Lake (11,105') is located at treeline in a sprawling basin just below Heart Lake

Devils Thumb Lake (11,138') is located on the edge of a sprawling alpine basin below Devils Thumb Pass (11,775') and the Continental Divide

Lake Dorothy is the highest named lake in the Indian Peaks (12,061')

Caribou Lake (11,167'), seen here from Arapaho Pass; steep switchbacks lead down to this 'Sound of Music'-like basin

Red Deer Lake (10,372') is located in a slender, isolated valley between Sawtooth Mountain (south) and St Vrain Mountain (north)

Blue Lake (11,355') is located 2.55 miles from the Mitchell Lake Trailhead in the 4 Lakes Travel Zone

Stone Lake

Diamond Lake is arguably the most popualr lake in the IPW, but few travel to Upper Diamond Lake (11,738'), a challenging cross country route to a spectacular alpine setting under Mt Jasper

The Green Lakes, seen from Niwot Ridge; the Green Lakes are part of the Boulder Watershed and off limits to the public

Brainard Lake is the gateway to the 4 Lakes Travel Zone, which also includes Mt Audubon and Isabelle Glacier

Looking out over the Left Hand Park Reservoir from the Niwot Ridge Trail, which leads through the Niwot Ridge Alpine Tundra Biosphere Reserve

Upper Stone Lake

Heart Lake's eponymous shape is revealed when scaling an adjacent ridge

Long Lake (10,674') offers year round access, popular for fishing in the summer and skiing and snowshoeing in the winter

Looking down the Upper Coney Lake and Coney Lake valley from Paiute Peak

Jasper Lake (10,814') draws many visitors to its multiple campsites and large trout stock

Crater Lake and Mirror Lake are set .2 miles apart in a deep, capacious bowl topped by Mount Achonee (12,469') and Lone Eagle Peak (11,920')

The trail to Arapaho Lake (11,172') has recently washed out and is no longer maintained; those who venture here will enjoy exceptional fishing and solitude

Gibraltar Lakes (11,181') lie at the base of the St Vrain Glaciers near the Indian Peaks - Rocky Mountain National Park boundary

Gourd Lake (10,795') is a moderately challenging 8.3 mile trek from the Monarch Lake Trailhead on the west side of the Indian Peaks Wilderness