Byers Peak Wilderness

Established in 1993, Byers Peak Wilderness was named after William N. Byers, founder of Colorado’s first newspaper the Rocky Mountain News. Byers Peak Wilderness encompasses 8,801 acres in the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests in Grand County containing a variety of eco-zones from low-lying lodgepole pine forest and riparian drainages to alpine tundra fields of over 12,000 feet in elevation.

Due to its diverse range of ecological habitat, the area contains a wide variety of flora and fauna. This area is home to many species including deer, elk, bear, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, moose, and several species of trout and small rodents.

This Wilderness also contains two glacial lakes, three major creek drainages and two peaks over 12,500 feet. The highest is Byers Peak with an elevation of 12,804 feet accessible via the Byers Peak Trail.

Always use Leave No Trace techniques to help keep this area wild, clean, and pristine.