Colorado · Hiking · Near Telluride

Magic Meadows

Magic MeadowsPhoto: cogdogblog, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
14.8 mi
round trip
1,113 ft
climb
10,765 ft
high point
Out and back
route

Is Magic Meadows open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. It doesn't name Magic Meadows, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Magic Meadows is a hard hike in Colorado's Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests, within the Norwood Ranger District. The trail is an out-and-back of about 14.8 miles, with a one-way elevation gain of 1,113 feet, starting at a low point of 9,622 feet and reaching a high of 10,765 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trailhead is at Magic Meadows Trailhead, with parking labeled MAGIC MEADOWS. The route is rated hard, and it is open year-round. Bikes and horses are both allowed, and the trail surface is natural. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Silverton, which sits about 1,500 feet lower, show July highs around 75°F with lows near 38°F, while winter highs stay in the mid-30s. Sunshine is a hike about 0.3 miles away, and Sunshine Campground is about 0.4 miles off. The South Fork San Miguel River, a paddling route, is about a mile away, and the Slabs climbing area is about 1.9 miles away.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Sunshine Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 0.4 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Siam

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 5 mi
  • If it rains

    Little Hawaii Grotto

    Attraction

    In town

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Telluride

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go

    Best time to visit Magic Meadows

    No month here meets our mild-weather rule. 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

      34° / -6°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      36° / -3°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      43° / 6°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      48° / 17°

      9 wet

    5. May

      58° / 25°

      9 wet

    6. Jun

      70° / 31°

      7 wet

    7. Jul

      75° / 38°

      13 wet

    8. Aug

      72° / 37°

      15 wet

    9. Sep

      66° / 30°

      12 wet

    10. Oct

      55° / 20°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      43° / 7°

      8 wet

    12. Dec

      34° / -5°

      9 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Silverton, CO, 13.3 mi away at 9,285 ft. The station sits about 1,500 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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