Colorado · Hiking · Near Estes Park

Wild Basin Trail

Wild Basin TrailPhoto: objectfox, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
6.6 mi
round trip
956 ft
climb
9,482 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Wild Basin Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Rocky Mountain National Park. It doesn't name Wild Basin Trail, so check the source for the area it covers.

  • Prescribed Fire Operations are Underway near Beaver Meadows Visitor Center

    Park closure covering Rocky Mountain National Park · NPS · Rocky Mountain National Park

As of · Source: NPS · Rocky Mountain National Park. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Wild Basin Trail is a 3.3-mile out-and-back hike in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, managed by the National Park Service. The trail is moderately accessible and offers a straightforward way to spend a few hours outdoors. Its out-and-back format lets hikers turn around at any point, making it a flexible choice for different fitness levels and schedules. The trail rises from about 8,500 feet to roughly 9,500 feet, with a total elevation gain of about 950 feet. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Allenspark show July highs around 74°F with lows near 44°F, while winter highs stay around freezing. A fee is charged for the hike. Dogs are not allowed, but horses are. Plan to bring water and sun protection, and check current trail conditions before you go. Copeland Mountain and Ogalalla Peak both sit about 0.1 mile away, and the Wild Basin bouldering area is about 0.2 mile off. Olive Ridge Campground is about 2.3 miles away for an overnight stay.

Around this trail

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

    Campers Creek

    Campground

    Campground · 0.5 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Wild Basin Lodge & Event Center

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 2 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Matt Golon, CC BY-SA 3.0 (commons)

More in Estes Park

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Wild Basin 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.

    1. Jan

      32° / 14°

    2. Feb

      35° / 15°

    3. Mar

      42° / 20°

    4. Apr

      46° / 23°

    5. May

      56° / 32°

    6. Jun

      69° / 38°

    7. Jul

      74° / 44°

    8. Aug

      73° / 43°

    9. Sep

      66° / 36°

    10. Oct

      52° / 29°

    11. Nov

      41° / 20°

    12. Dec

      33° / 14°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Allenspark 3nw, CO, 2.9 mi away at 8,500 ft. The station sits about 1,000 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.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Copeland MountainPhoto: objectfox, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Copeland Mountain

Next door

Route to the summit of Copeland Mountain (13,166 ft) from Wild Basin Trailhead.

Copeland Lake - Wild Basin TrailPhoto: nickavarvel, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Copeland Lake - Wild Basin Trail

Next door

4.5-mile out-and-back hike to Copeland Lake in Colorado with 159 ft gain.

Hidden FallsPhoto: objectfox, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Hidden Falls

Next door

0.8-mile out-and-back trail to Hidden Falls in Colorado with 253 ft gain.

HIKE

St Vrain Mountain

~5 min drive

13.32-mile out-and-back to St Vrain Mountain with 3,588 ft gain.

Ogalalla PeakPhoto: objectfox, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Ogalalla Peak

Next door

Route to the summit of Ogalalla Peak (13,081 ft) from Wild Basin Trailhead.

Horse TrailPhoto: objectfox, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Horse Trail

Next door

0.78-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 112 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

Horsetooth Peak Trail

~2 min drive

4.44-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 1,891 ft elevation gain.

Longs Peak TrailPhoto: markbyzewski, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Longs Peak Trail

~8 min drive

A 13.66-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado that connects to the East Longs Peak Trail system.

Mount AlicePhoto: objectfox, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Mount Alice

Next door

Route to the summit of Mount Alice (13,281 ft) from Wild Basin Trailhead (RMNP).

Finch Lake - Pear Lake TrailPhoto: objectfox, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Finch Lake - Pear Lake Trail

~1 min drive

1.23-mile trail in Colorado with 200 ft elevation gain and max elevation 9,800 ft.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors