Dakota Terraces Campground
Campground
Campground · 0.3 mi from the trail
Colorado · Hiking · Near Telluride
Wapiti Trail
Photo: Tony Webster, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)- 1.1 mi
- round trip
- 150 ft
- climb
- 7,192 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- May–Sep
- best months
Wapiti Trail is a short out-and-back hike in Ridgway State Park in Colorado, about 1.1 miles long and rated easy. The trail covers roughly 0.6 miles one way, with a total elevation gain of about 150 feet from a low point of 7,029 feet to a high of 7,192 feet. It's an accessible option for families, visitors with limited time or anyone looking for a brief nature walk. The trail's out-and-back format makes it simple to navigate, and the short distance and low climb mean it works well for a quick stop. Horses are not allowed on the route. For comfortable weather, late spring and early fall are the best bets. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Ridgway show May highs around 70°F and September highs around 76°F, while July and August run warmer, near 85°F. Several other spots sit close by. Forest Discovery Trail and Scenic Overlook Trail are each about 0.1 mile away, and Dakota Terraces Campground is about 0.3 mile off. Climbers can head to the Ridgway State Park climbing area, also about 0.2 mile away.
Around this trail
Add any of these when you start a tripSleep close Eat after Kate's Place
Restaurant
On your way back · 4 miIf it rains
Places © OpenStreetMap contributors
More in TellurideLocal outfitters
- Peak Mountain Guides13 mi away
- Cedar Creek RV Park and Lodging20 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Best time to go · May–Sep
Best time to visit Wapiti Trail
Best months: May–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.
Jan
40° / 7°
6 wet
Feb
44° / 12°
6 wet
Mar
52° / 20°
7 wet
Apr
59° / 26°
8 wet
May
70° / 34°
7 wet
Jun
81° / 39°
5 wet
Jul
85° / 46°
10 wet
Aug
82° / 45°
11 wet
Sep
76° / 36°
8 wet
Oct
64° / 26°
6 wet
Nov
51° / 16°
6 wet
Dec
40° / 8°
7 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Ridgway, CO, 4.5 mi away at 7,049 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
Photo: iagoarchangel, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)Forest Discovery Trail
Next door
1.2 mi · Easy
Photo: iagoarchangel, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)Enchanted Mesa Trail
~1 min drive
5.3-mile out-and-back hike in Colorado with 2,614 ft elevation gain and loss.
Photo: daveynin, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)NATE CREEK
~14 min drive
14.04-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 4,697 ft elevation gain and loss.
Photo: daveynin, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)STEALEY MOUNTAIN SPUR
~15 min drive
3.04-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 1,530 ft gain/loss and a max elevation of 9,766 ft.
Photo: iagoarchangel, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)Scenic Overlook Trail
Next door
A moderate 0.28-mile lollipop trail in Colorado with mixed surfaces of crusher fines, paved, and concrete.
Photo: daveynin, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Old Owl Creek Trail
~15 min drive
6.38-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 2,536 ft elevation gain.
Photo: daveynin, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)OWL CREEK PASS SNO
~17 min drive
23.82-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 2,826 ft elevation gain/loss
Photo: daveynin, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Courthouse Mountain
~18 min drive
1.76-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 831 ft elevation gain.
Photo: Tony Webster, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Mule Deer Meadow Trail
Next door
A nearly one-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado that links to the Dakota Terraces trail network.
HIKE
OLD OWL CREEK
~11 min drive
7.74-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 3,196 ft elevation gain and loss.
Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors
