Colorado · Hiking

Bill Miller

3.7 mi
round trip
524 ft
climb
9,220 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun, Sep
best months

Is Bill Miller open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 3 alerts for Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests.

As of · Source: USFS · Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Bill Miller is a moderate hike in Colorado's Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests, within the Sulphur Ranger District, about 3.7 miles long and with an elevation gain of 524 feet from the low point of 8,779 feet to the high of 9,220 feet. It is an out-and-back route with a natural surface, and the Forest Service manages the land. The trail is open from June 1 to November 15, and the Bill Miller Trailhead is the parking point. Bikes and horses are both allowed on this trail. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Grand Lake, which sits about 500 feet lower than the trail, show July highs around 76°F with lows near 40°F, while June and August average highs in the low to mid 70s. Winter is cold and snowy, with highs near 30°F and snow on 12 to 14 days a month from December through February. Buffalo Creek lies just 0.1 mile away, and Denver Creek Campground is about 1.6 miles off. South Trail Creek, a mountain biking route, is about 1.8 miles away. Sawmill Gulch Campground is roughly 3.4 miles from the trail.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Jun, Sep

    Best time to visit Bill Miller

    Best months: June and September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      30° / 4°

      14 wet · 14 snow

    2. Feb

      34° / 6°

      13 wet · 12 snow

    3. Mar

      42° / 14°

      12 wet · 9 snow

    4. Apr

      49° / 20°

      11 wet · 6 snow

    5. May

      59° / 28°

      12 wet · 2 snow

    6. Jun

      71° / 34°

      11 wet

    7. Jul

      76° / 40°

      14 wet

    8. Aug

      73° / 38°

      15 wet

    9. Sep

      68° / 32°

      12 wet · 1 snow

    10. Oct

      55° / 23°

      10 wet · 4 snow

    11. Nov

      40° / 13°

      11 wet · 9 snow

    12. Dec

      30° / 5°

      14 wet · 13 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Grand Lake 1 Nw, CO, 14.7 mi away at 8,720 ft. The station sits about 500 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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