Crested Butte, Colorado

Looking for the best backpacking in Crested Butte? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Crested Butte. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Backpacking Spots in and near Crested Butte

  • Crested Butte, Colorado

    Conundrum Hot Springs via Copper Creek

    22.5 mi / 4000 ft gain
    Please Note: Conundrum Springs camping requires an overnight permit. You must get a permit in order to camp at the springs.  If you're looking for an incredibly challenging hike, Copper Creek to Triangle Pass to Conundrum Springs is the hike for you! When you plug in "Conundrum Springs" into you...
    Read more
  • Crested Butte, Colorado

    Hike Rustler's Gulch

    5.0
    9 mi / 1748 ft gain
    From Crested Butte, continue 6 miles past the town of Gothic to Rustler's Gulch Road. Turn right on the road, cross the East River to get to a small parking area near the river. If you don't have 4WD, park here and hike another 1/2 mile to the trailhead. It's a pretty steep hike. If you do have 4...
    Read more
  • Aspen, Colorado

    Backpack to Copper Lake

    10 mi
    Looking for a wildflower hike, we decided on Copper Lake in the Maroon Bells Wilderness as a place to base camp for 4 nights. It is 5 miles from the Trailhead, which is off Gothic Road above Crested Butte (2WD Accessible).Copper Lake is this beautiful alpine lake, situated right at treeline, with...
    Read more
  • Carbondale, Colorado

    Backpack the Lead King Basin Trail

    4.5 mi / 2000 ft gain
    We began our hike at the beginning of the afternoon after about two-three hours driving up the 14 mile road. The first mile of the trail was mild, turning into an uphill adventure. Lots of switchbacks, winding paths, and some tree coverage. By mile 2, we were on a steep grade the rest of the way....
    Read more
  • Aspen, Colorado

    Backpack Cathedral Lake

    4.7
    5.6 mi / 2000 ft gain
    Cathedral Lake offers an excellent alternative to escape the crowds that swarm the Maroon Bells area, especially in the peak autumn season. The drive along Castle Creek Rd towards the abandoned ski town Ashcroft is lined with aspens showing off their golden hues. Parking at the trailhead is plent...
    Read more
  • Aspen, Colorado

    Crater Lake via Maroon-Snowmass Trail

    4.6
    3.77 mi / 722 ft gain
    The crater lake trail begins at Maroon Lake and quickly breaks off from the scenic trail at .3 miles. Be sure to follow the signs to crater lake, which will be heading higher into the valley. The trail passes through a beautiful Aspen grove most of the way with wonderful views of 14ers, the Maroo...
    Read more
  • Aspen, Colorado

    The Maroon Bells Traverse

    14 mi / 5000 ft gain
    I do not want to encourage those who are not capable mentally or physically to go on this hike, that is how accidents happen. Confidence is a must. This route is loose, long, chossy and complicated. The exposure and shear milage covered make for a heck of a day! That being said, I suggest you do ...
    Read more
  • Aspen, Colorado

    Backpack to Snowmass Creek in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness

    13 mi
    For beginner backpackers or just those who can't take off 3-4 days to do the Four Pass Loop, there's still options near the iconic Maroon Bells.  If you are planning to do an overnight at the Bells, you need to get there early or late - before 7:30 am or after 5 pm. The overnight lot fills quickl...
    Read more
  • Aspen, Colorado

    Explore the Maroon Bells & Snowmass Wilderness

    5.0
    The beautiful and iconic Maroon Bells-Snowmass wilderness is home to some of the most amazing scenery and adventures to be had in all of Colorado. It is world-famous for the Maroon Bells, two challenging 14ers just outside of Aspen, Colorado. The third 14er, Pyramid Peak is also considered a clas...
    Read more
  • Aspen, Colorado

    Relax at Maroon Lake

    4.9
    The Maroon Bells are known around the world for being some of the most iconic, beautiful mountains in all of the United States. Even if you haven't heard of them, there's a chance you've seen them. And if you've seen them in person, it's likely you were there with 800+ of your closest friends.If ...
    Read more
  • Aspen, Colorado

    Snowmass Lake via Maroon-Snowmass Trail

    4.3
    16.53 mi / 5023 ft gain
    For the adventurous backpacker looking to get backcountry in central Colorado, the stunning beauty of the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness cannot be beaten. While the Maroon Bells just outside of Aspen might be the most photographed mountains in North America, the beauty is definitely rivaled by ...
    Read more
  • Pitkin County, Colorado

    Four Pass Loop in the Maroon Bells

    4.8
    25.99 mi / 7566 ft gain
    Updates will be posted here.  The Four Pass Loop begins at Maroon Lake, famous for its iconic view of the Maroon Bells (Maroon Peak and North Maroon Peak), deemed the “most-photographed spot in Colorado.” After taking in this majestic view, continue to walk down the Maroon Lake Scenic Trail unti...
    Read more
  • Aspen, Colorado

    Conundrum Hot Springs via Conundrum Creek

    4.3
    16.77 mi / 2717 ft gain
    After picking up your required overnight permit, start your morning with a coffee in Aspen, then drive out 15 min to the trailhead at the end of Conundrum Creek road. The trail is a straight shot 9 miles up the valley, through expansive meadows and an always incredible view of the mountains and ...
    Read more
  • Aspen, Colorado

    Camp on the Backside of Buttermilk Mountain

    1.0
    4 mi / 2000 ft gain
    Park at the Buttermilk Ski Area parking lot and begin your hike up the mountain at the bottom of the Summit Express chair lift. Follow the 4x4 dirt road the entire way up Buttermilk. There are other small hiking trails that you can follow too, and with the entire mountain being a ski area, it's s...
    Read more
  • Aspen, Colorado

    McNamara Hut

    5.0
    12.46 mi / 2631 ft gain
    McNamara Hut sits in the national forest on the slope of Bald Knob, with easy access to intermediate backcountry skiing and more challenging terrain further away. Built in 1982, it's one of the original huts in the 10th Mountain Division system along with Margy's Hut. The hut comes stocked with...
    Read more
  • Snowmass, Colorado

    Capitol Lake via Capitol Ditch

    5.0
    12.28 mi / 2575 ft gain
    The route to Capitol Lake is fairly straightforward, but not without its minor hardships. The route begins at the end of Capitol Creek Road, 9 miles from the small "town" of Snowmass (NOT Snowmass Village - that's the high-class ski resort). The last few miles of this road provide the first min...
    Read more