Sweetwater Lake Recreation Area
Campground
Campground · 4.1 mi from the trail
Colorado · Hiking · Flat Tops Wilderness · Near Glenwood Springs
South W
- 5.6 mi
- round trip
- 541 ft
- climb
- 11,593 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
Caution at last check
Agency alerts are in effect for this area; weather is good · USFS, OpenWeather · checked 20 h ago
Is South W open right now?
Alert in the area
The Forest Service lists 6 alerts for White River National Forest.
FSR 286, Radical Hill, is closed due to washouts and unsafe conditions
Agency alert covering White River National Forest · USFS · White River National Forest
Limited parking at Snowmass Creek Trailhead
Agency alert covering White River National Forest · USFS · White River National Forest
Grizzly Creek Trail Closure
Agency alert covering White River National Forest · Order 2026-02 · USFS · White River National Forest
Ruedi Marina Day Use area Dump Station is CLOSED
Agency alert covering White River National Forest · USFS · White River National Forest
Asbestos safety closure - Camp Hale
Agency alert covering White River National Forest · USFS · White River National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · White River National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
South W is a moderate out-and-back hike in Colorado's Flat Tops Wilderness, within the Eagle Ranger District of the White River National Forest. The trail is about 5.6 miles long, with a one-way elevation gain of 541 feet, taking you from a low point of about 10,826 feet to a high of about 11,593 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route is on natural surface. Horses are allowed, but bikes are not. The trail is open year-round, so it works for a visit in any season. Johnny Meyers is the closest nearby hike, about 1.3 miles away, and Turret Creek is about 2.7 miles off. Sweetwater Lake Recreation Area, about 4.1 miles away, offers camping, and Cross Creek, about 4.2 miles away, is a river fishing spot.
Around this trail
Add any of these when you start a tripSleep close Eat after - If it rains
Thermal springs in Colorado
Places © OpenStreetMap contributors
More in Glenwood SpringsLocal outfitters
- Flat Tops Wilderness Guides4 mi away
- Glenwood Canyon Resort22 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
HIKE
Johnny Meyers
~2 min drive
6.99-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 808 ft elevation gain.
HIKE
Johnny Meyers Trail
~4 min drive
1.56-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 354 ft elevation gain
HIKE
Nellie's
~5 min drive
3.00-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 1,330 ft elevation gain
HIKE
Ute - Sweetwater
~5 min drive
9.10-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 2,326 ft elevation gain.
HIKE
Old Turret Creek Trail
~5 min drive
1.24-mile out-and-back hike in Colorado with 734 ft gain and 8,713 ft max elevation.
HIKE
Turret
~7 min drive
6.62-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 887 ft elevation gain.
HIKE
W. Mountain
~6 min drive
4.62-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 286 ft elevation gain.
HIKE
Ute-Sweetwater Trail
~7 min drive
3.81-mile trail in Colorado with 800 ft of elevation gain.
HIKE
W. Mountain
~7 min drive
6.34-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado's White River National Forest with 2,233 ft gain.
HIKE
Sweetwater
~6 min drive
15.35-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado's White River National Forest with 1,720 ft gain.
