Colorado

Powderhorn Wilderness is located 10 miles northeast of Lake City, Colorado and occupies 61,915 acres. The southern one-fourth of the Wilderness is managed by Gunnison National Forest (13,935 acres), and the northern three-fourths by the Bureau of Land Management. Elevations range from 8,699’ in the north to 12,600' in the south.
In this Wilderness the northern verge of the San Juan Mountains reaches out into the Gunnison Basin, a dry land of sagebrush meadows strewn with fish-filled lakes, including Powderhorn Lakes. Worn by glaciation, the Cannibal and Calf Creek Plateaus contain one of the largest, least disturbed, and relatively flat alpine tundra areas in the contiguous United States. Elk and mule deer roam the plateaus and pass through the stands of aspen, pine, spruce, and fir that blanket the lower elevations.
Trails include the Powderhorn Lakes, East Fork, Powderhorn Park, North Calf Creek, Canyon Inferno and Devil's Creek trails. Always use Leave No Trace techniques to help keep this area wild, clean, and pristine.

Powderhorn Wilderness Devil's Lake

Photo courtesy of Bureau of Land Management – Devil’s Lake, Powderhorn Wilderness

When Open? Area Acres Operated By
Year-round; 24 hours a day 61,915 acres Bureau of Land Management:
Gunnison Field Office

US Forest Service:
Gunnison Ranger District
Dogs Allowed? Miles of Trail Max/Min Elev (ft)
Dogs allowed on leash 61 8,500ft - 12,670ft

Powderhorn Wilderness Trail and Map Finder

Area Hiking Trails:
1 - Brush Creek Trail #7457 - MOTORIZED
2 - Calf Creek Plateau Trail #7458 - MOTORIZED
3 - Calf Creek Plateau Trail #7458 - NON-MOTORIZED - PRIMITIVE
4 - Cannibal Plateau Trail #7464 - MOTORIZED
5 - Canyon Infierno Trail #7461 - MOTORIZED
Area Hiking Trails:
1 - Brush Creek Trail #7457 - MOTORIZED
2 - Calf Creek Plateau Trail #7458 - MOTORIZED
3 - Calf Creek Plateau Trail #7458 - NON-MOTORIZED - PRIMITIVE
4 - Cannibal Plateau Trail #7464 - MOTORIZED
5 - Canyon Infierno Trail #7461 - MOTORIZED
6 - Canyon Infierno Trail #7461 - NON-MOTORIZED
7 - Deer Lakes Trail
8 - Devils Canyon Trail #7469
9 - Devils Creek Trail
10 - East Fork Trail
11 - Middle Fork Trail
12 - North Calf Creek Trail #7460
13 - Phelps Cabin Creek Trail - PRIMITIVE
14 - Powderhorn Lakes Trail
15 - Powderhorn Park Trail #9462
16 - Spur Trail
Area Trailheads:
1 - Calf Creek Plateau Trail #7458 - MOTORIZED
2 - Cannibal Plateau Trail #7464 - MOTORIZED
3 - Canyon Infierno Trail #7461 - MOTORIZED
4 - Devils Creek Trail
5 - East Fork Trail
Area Trailheads:
1 - Calf Creek Plateau Trail #7458 - MOTORIZED
2 - Cannibal Plateau Trail #7464 - MOTORIZED
3 - Canyon Infierno Trail #7461 - MOTORIZED
4 - Devils Creek Trail
5 - East Fork Trail
6 - Powderhorn Lakes Trail
7 - Powderhorn Park Trail #9462
Area Campgrounds:
1 - Cebolla Creek Campground
2 - Deer Lakes Campground - Gunnison Rd
3 - Hidden Valley Tent Campground- Gunnison Rd
4 - Spruce Campground - Gunnison RD