Free — you'll pick up right here.

Watch this trail

Colorado

Kawuneeche

18.5 mi

Distance

1,500 ft

Gain

No verdict for this trail

We won't guess. Here is exactly what we do and don't know.

What we do know

Inside Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests
2 managing-area boundaries mapped — agency alerts for them feed this page automatically.
Boundary data

What's missing

No access route mapped
We don't yet know which road reaches this trailhead, so we can't tell you if it's gated.

Nobody's filed a report here yet — be the first.

Why you'll love it

Out & back

Here's your day, mapped

Kawuneeche

AI-suggested draft · review before you go

Building your full AI plan…

Meals

Building your meal plan…

Gear for the day

Building your gear list…

Elevation & route

Distance: 18.5 mi
Elevation gain: 1,500 ft

More about this trail ↓

Photos

Directions & GPX

Get Directions to Trailhead Parking

Permits & access

Managing agency: Forest Service

About this trail

Kawuneeche is an 18.5-mile out-and-back trail located in Colorado near the town of Colorado, managed by the White River National Forest's Aspen-Sopris Ranger District. This trail offers a substantial hiking experience for those seeking a longer backcountry adventure in the northern Colorado Rockies. The out-and-back format allows hikers to turn around at any point along the route, making it adaptable for various fitness levels and time constraints. The trail traverses terrain characteristic of the White River National Forest, providing access to the scenic landscapes managed by the Aspen-Sopris Ranger District. Given the trail's length and remote character, hikers should come prepared with adequate water, supplies, and navigation tools. The White River National Forest encompasses diverse ecosystems and wildlife habitat, so visitors should be aware of their surroundings and follow Leave No Trace principles. For current conditions, trail maintenance updates, and any restrictions, contact the Aspen-Sopris Ranger District directly before planning your hike.

Add to a trip & share

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Wilderness Office - West Side of RMNP - Kawuneeche Visitor Center

~7 min drive

Have you already made a reservation for your wilderness backpacking trip? Or do you have questions about wilderness backpacking? Great! Park Rangers and volunteers at Rocky Mountain National Park's Wilderness Office are ready to help answer your questions. This…

Idleglenn By-Pass

~0 min drive

0.3 mi · Easy

Lower Soda Pass

~1 min drive

5.1 mi · Moderate

Pony Park

~7 min drive

A moderate 8.47-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado featuring dirt and gravel road surface.

Grand Lake Entrance

~7 min drive

Welcome to Rocky Mountain National Park! Enter Rocky Mountain National Park via the Grand Lake Entrance. This entrance is the closest entrance to Grand Lake.

Green Ridge

~3 min drive

1.9 mi · Easy

Wolverine

~8 min drive

4.3 mi · Moderate

Goldrun

~7 min drive

6.8 mi · Hard

Harbison Meadows

~8 min drive

This picnic area on the edge of Harbison Meadows offers covered and uncovered picnic tables. The beautiful view across the meadow may have been one of the most important factors in convincing Kitty and Annie Harbison to homestead there. In 1896, the sisters started h…

South Supply

~5 min drive

3.0 mi · Easy

Also worth it near here

Stillwater Creek

~2 min drive