Indian Peaks Wilderness has its own rules above the trailheads

Along Boulder County’s western edge, the high country between the foothills and the Continental Divide is the Indian Peaks Wilderness. It looks like the rest of the national forest, but wilderness areas carry extra rules meant to keep them wild.

A few apply to almost every visitor. Dogs must be on a hand-held leash the whole time, not just under voice control. Camping overnight in the wilderness requires a permit during the busy summer window, roughly early June through mid-September, and there is a limit on how large a group can be. Mechanized travel, including bikes, is not allowed. These rules sit on top of the ordinary forest rules around fire and waste.

Getting there takes a little homework too. Many routes climb quickly above treeline, and trailhead parking is limited. Some east-side access points, including the Brainard Lake Recreation Area, use a seasonal reservation system through recreation.gov during the busy months, so the way in can be its own small puzzle.

Permit details, dates, and access rules change, so check the current rules before a trip. The Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests’ Indian Peaks Wilderness page is the place to start.