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Estes Park, Colorado

Looking for the best backpacking in Estes Park? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Estes Park. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Backpacking Spots in and near Estes Park

  • Walden, Colorado

    Overnight at Nokhu Hut

    5.0
    3 mi / 540 ft gain
    The Nokhu Hut is part of the Never Summer Nordic Hut system, and makes for the perfect beginner Hut trip. The Hut has a stocked kitchen, wood shed, and small wood burning stove that keeps the tiny hut toasty warm.From the Hut, it is a short, easy hike to Lake Agnes - the trail often stays snowy u...
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  • Bellvue, Colorado

    Climb Greyrock Mountain

    5.0
    7.1 mi / 3000 ft gain
    The main trail begins at the Cache La Poudre river on the Poudre Canyon Highway about 30 minutes from Fort Collins. After about .75 miles the trail splits. To go left on Greyrock Meadows trail adds 2 miles to your trip and provides excellent views of Greyrock Mountain and Meadows from the south, ...
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  • Nederland, Colorado

    Hike to Columbine Lake

    5.0
    7 mi / 1200 ft gain
    The hike is about seven miles, give or take, however it feels longer. The elevation gain is little over 1000 feet. The drive here is about 45 minutes from both Granby and Winter Park, and is definitely worth it.  You follow a trail dusted with wildflowers for the majority of the hike, and occasio...
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  • Nederland, Colorado

    Backpack to Caribou Lake

    4.0
    8.2 mi
    This is one of the most beautiful hikes I have ever done in Colorado. It is a great trip for photographers, fisherman or anyone who enjoys mountain views, forests filled with wildlife and peaceful meadows. Distances: Arapaho Pass: 3.2 miles, Caribou Lake: 4.2 miles, Caribou Pass: 6.4 miles, Meado...
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  • Walden, Colorado

    Snowshoe or Ski to Lower Montgomery Pass Yurt

    5.6 mi / 853 ft gain
    The Lower Montgomery Pass Yurt is a part of the Never Summer Nordic yurt system and can be reserved through their website here. In the summer it can be accessed via a 4WD road but in the winter the road closes and you can either ski, snowshoe, or snowmobile the 2.8 miles to the yurt. The trek beg...
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  • Nederland, Colorado

    Hiking the Indian Peaks Wilderness' Lost Lake

    4.3
    4.5 mi / 1000 ft gain
    Lost Lake of the Indian Peaks Wilderness area is a scenic short hike (about 3 hours) with a lot to see. The trailhead is tucked at the end of a road that passes through Eldora, a charming village of cabins and old abandoned buildings. You will pass by the lost "town" of Hessie on foot, which is w...
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  • Nederland, Colorado

    King Lake via Hessie Trailhead

    5.0
    11.32 mi / 2375 ft gain
    The normal route from the east side is via the Hessie trailhead outside Nederland Colorado. From the west it is most often accessed via the short trail from Rollins pass, which is open in the summer. As noted above, it is also a lake and area ripe for creating your own adventure. The description ...
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  • Nederland, Colorado

    Hike to the Lost Lakes via the Hessie Trail

    4 mi / 1000 ft gain
    Accessed by Hessie Trailhead, Lost Lake is a relatively moderate 4 mile round-trip hike with about 1,000 feet of elevation. The core of the hike is uphill and on a gravel path, 2/3rds of the hike runs parallel to a rushing waterfall.  After parking your car, head towards the Hessie Trailhead. Yo...
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  • Nederland, Colorado

    Hike Rollins Pass to Devils Thumb

    2.1 mi / 622 ft gain
    Corona Lake is an easy, short hike if you're pressed for time. It's scenic, secluded, and will put you in a great spot to hike to Devils Thumb the next day. There are two ways to reach Devils Thumb. This is considered the "easier" route because of the "lack of elevation gain." The sun and wind re...
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  • Walden, Colorado

    Backpack to Kelly Lake In State Forest SP

    13.2 mi / 2624 ft gain
    Round trip will take you along 13.2 beautiful miles of Northern Colorado backcountry. Starting from the trail head which can be found within the entrance of the park (near the horse ring and car camping), you'll head into some beautiful backcountry. Before you reach the woods, a 4x4 trail will be...
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  • Nederland, Colorado

    Upper Forest Lakes Trail

    7.86 mi / 1778 ft gain
    Upper Forest Lakes Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a river located near Rollinsville, Colorado.
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  • Nederland, Colorado

    3 Crater Lakes via South Boulder Creek

    5.0
    6.92 mi / 1804 ft gain
    After turning on to Co. 16 (Tolland Rd.) from 119 at Rollinsville, drive about 8 miles down the dirt road along South Boulder Creek. The road will dead end at Moffat Tunnel where you'll find ample parking in a gravel lot with restrooms. You'll begin your hike along sweeping meadows until you ent...
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  • Nederland, Colorado

    Heart and Rogers Peak Lakes

    4.8
    8.62 mi / 2113 ft gain
    The hike begins at the East Portal Trailhead outside Rollinsville. Start hiking along the South Boulder trail to the right (north) of the very obvious Moffat Rail tunnel. The trail begins with moderate grades past the Forest Lakes cutoff just 1.25 miles from the trailhead. Continue hiking straigh...
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  • Idaho Springs, Colorado

    Camp and Fish at Loch Lomond

    5.0
    The trail to Loch Lomond is very rocky. I suggest a high clearance 4x4 vehicle (I did see a small SUV and a Subaru..Not sure how they did it!!!). There are a few campsites at the lake and several along the way. I set up camp by the lake but had to move because the wind was so intense. I recommend...
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  • Idaho Springs, Colorado

    Hiking James Peak (13,294')

    8.3 mi / 3000 ft gain
    James Peak is one of 76 13,000'+ peaks in Colorado's front range. On your way up to the peak you will pass St. Mary's Glacier. It is not an actual glacier yet a permeant snow field that is popular among skiers and snowboarders year round. St. Mary's Glaicer is a very popular destination (though m...
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  • Idaho Springs, Colorado

    Explore 'The Hidden Gems' of Loch Lomond

    5.0
    4.6 mi / 950 ft gain
    Getting There From Denver, go W on I-70 and take exit 238 for Fall River Rd. Continue on this road before taking a left on Alice Rd. Continue on Alice Rd. until you see the right hand turn for Steuart Rd. This is where you park. Do not attempt this road in a AWD or 2WD you definitely need a good ...
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