Starting on March 4th 2025, Indian Peaks Wilderness
Full Season in Advance Permits are available!
Permits for the Indian Peaks Wilderness (IPW) will be available at 8 a.m. MT starting on Tuesday March 4th, 2025.
Permits are required for all overnight camping in the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area from June 1 to Sept. 15. Permits are required year-round for groups of 8-12 people (max size). Due to limited availability, it is recommended that you request your permit as far in advance as possible!
Permits are available exclusively online at recreation.gov. Note that permits are no longer issued by mail, phone, or in person.
*Note for volunteers scheduling an overnight patrol, you do not need to reserve a permit online if you obtain an administrative permit from the USFS, however parking reservations may still be required.
"How To" Video
The U.S. Forest Service has put together a “How to” video (see below) that shares some great information on IPW regulations, and most importantly for some first-timers, it shows what the process actually looks like to go through recreation.gov to purchase these permits.
Know Before You Go
Anyone considering a visit to Indian Peaks Wilderness (IPW) should first do extensive research. Most of the wilderness area is in the high alpine zone where snowpack lasts into July and severe weather conditions can be expected year-round. Many of the routes involve strenuous and technical hiking. Hikers and campers should be well equipped with the appropriate footwear, clothing and safety gear and should be experienced in backcountry camping techniques, including Leave No Trace principles.
The Indian Peaks Wilderness (IPW) is a popular destination for recreation opportunities in the Front Range. The area’s proximity to the Denver Metro area makes it one of the most visited Wilderness areas in the entire country! To preserve the area’s wilderness character, a permit system has been in place for overnight camping since 1985.
The IPW is divided into 17 backcountry zones. Each zone has a permit quota to ensure enjoyment by all visitors and to protect and preserve the wilderness environment from the adverse cumulative impacts due to repeated use. Be sure to review the Indian Peaks Wilderness backcountry zone map, to determine what zones to book and read through all the available information about Wilderness regulations and trail descriptions.
Note that some online map and trail sites show routes that are not approved or maintained U.S. Forest Service trails, and users should cross reference these routes to ensure safe travel and to minimize environmental damage. A great tool is the free COTREX app and website, providing authoritative trail information from local, state, and federal agencies including real-time advisories, including wildfire closures, safety hazards, and other essential trail alerts. Users can plan routes, view allowed-use types such as hiking, biking, and OHV, download offline maps, and see trip recommendations from participating partners around the state—all for free.
Permits sell out quickly, so plan ahead! During the summer, a limited number of "3-day in Advance" permits are available on a rolling basis. Also keep in mind that this may not be the only permit you need for your trip. Overnight permits, day use permits, group permits, and parking reservations are required to visit the IPW depending on season, group size and location. Visit the U.S. Forest Service - Indian Peaks Wilderness site to plan your itinerary in advance.
Overnight parking reservations can also be reserved for visitors planning to use the Brainard Lake Recreation Area (BLRA) trailheads for permitted overnight camping in Indian Peaks Wilderness Area. If you plan to use the Hessie or Fourth of July trailheads, check the Boulder County website for information on shuttles and parking (the page will be updated before the season begins).
Visitors must use a bear canister year-round near all trailheads in Indian Peaks Wilderness and everywhere in Diamond Lake and Jasper Lake backcountry zones. Bear canisters are recommended everywhere. View the U.S. Forest Service's Food & Refuse Storage Order for more information. Learn more about bear safety by visiting the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Camping with Bears page.
Please note, if there is any discrepancy between any information, rules and/or regulations as presented on the IPWA site or e-news and on the US Forest Service site, then those found on the US Forest Service site take precedence.
Be Safe and Keep it Wild!
Sincerely,
The IPWA Board
Comments