- Region
- CO, USA
- Country
- United States
- Best for
- hiking
- Best season
- Spring, Summer
- Permits
- No permit is required to access Buffalo Pe…
- Managed by
- USDA Forest Service — Pike National Forest on the east side and San Isabel National Forest on the west side; South Park Ranger District is the east-side contact.
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Photos of Buffalo Peaks Wilderness
How to get there
There are multiple approaches to Buffalo Peaks Wilderness. For east-side planning, use Weston Pass road and the nearby Weston Pass and Buffalo Springs campgrounds as orientation points, then consult detailed national forest or topographic mapping for the chosen trail entrance. Buffalo Springs Campground is closer to U.S. Highway 285. Weston Pass road is not plowed beyond Sheep Creek Trail, and Forest Service Roads 432, 431, 433, 435 and 436 are closed January 1–June 15 annually for elk calving. Confirm road conditions with the South Park Ranger District at 719-836-2031 before traveling.
- Weston Pass Campground
An east-side camping base adjacent to Buffalo Peaks Wilderness, with first-come, first-served sites. Use detailed mapping to identify the appropriate wilderness entrance; snow affects access along Weston Pass road.
- Buffalo Springs Campground
A developed camping base closer to U.S. Highway 285, about 3 miles from the wilderness. Reservations are available through Recreation.gov; consult a detailed map for onward access to wilderness trails.
Sources: fs.usda.gov · University of Montana / federal agency partners · Wilderness Connect / federal wilderness boundary inventory. Confirm road and trailhead conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
CO, USA · United States
- Hunting
- Mountaineering
- Winter Camping
- Skiing
- Hiking
- Backpacking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Canoeing
Forests, meadows and the twin peaks
Buffalo Peaks Wilderness centers on East Buffalo and West Buffalo, rounded mountain domes visible from much of South Park and the Arkansas River Valley. The landscape is more about forest, open meadows and beaver ponds than deep glacial valleys or secluded lakes. Engelmann spruce, Douglas fir, lodgepole pine, limber pine and aspen cover much of the country, with stands of bristlecone pine on some south-facing slopes. Elaborate beaver dams shape the ponds threaded through the meadows. Visitor numbers are relatively low compared with nearby Collegiate Peaks Wilderness, making this a reasonable choice for hikers seeking a quieter forest trip rather than a lake-centered itinerary. The wilderness spans two national forests: Pike on the east side and San Isabel on the west.
Choosing a trip and preparing for wildlife
Day hiking and backpacking are established ways to explore Buffalo Peaks, with many miles of trail in or near the wilderness. Choose an outing using a detailed topographic map rather than assuming every nearby trail stays within the boundary. Carry a Pike or San Isabel National Forest map, or suitable U.S. Geological Survey or National Geographic Trails Illustrated mapping, for access and navigation. Potable water is not available at the site, so bring drinking water and a treatment method if planning to use natural sources. Beaver, elk, mule deer, black bears, mountain lions and a large bighorn sheep herd inhabit this country. Give animals space, secure food appropriately and keep pets under control at all times. Meadows and ponds are wildlife habitat, not reasons to approach animals more closely.
Seasonal access, permits and overnight bases
The wilderness is open to foot traffic year-round, but road access has important limits. Forest Service Roads 432, 431, 433, 435 and 436 close annually from January 1 through June 15 for elk calving. The county does not plow Weston Pass road beyond Sheep Creek Trail, so access there depends on snow levels. No permit or wilderness access fee is required; sign in at the trailhead and sign out when leaving. Wilderness regulations apply, and motorized vehicles and bicycles are not allowed on wilderness trails. Nearby developed campgrounds charge camping fees. Weston Pass Campground sits adjacent to the east side and operates first-come, first-served. Buffalo Springs Campground, closer to U.S. Highway 285 and about 3 miles from the wilderness, accepts reservations through Recreation.gov.
Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Buffalo Peaks Wilderness, United States. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.
Coordinates
- Decimal degrees
- 39.0554, -106.1591
- Latitude (DMS)
- 39° 3′ 19.4″ N
- Longitude (DMS)
- 106° 9′ 32.8″ W
Coordinates are an access-point reference for Buffalo Peaks Wilderness, not a route. Carry a paper map and confirm trailhead or put-in access with the managing agency before you go.
Topic summary
Beaver, elk, mule deer, black bears, mountain lions and one of Colorado's largest herds of bighorn sheep call the Buffalo Peaks Wilderness home, but human visitors are relatively few, preferring the nearby...
Key takeaways
- Region: CO, USA
- Country: United States
- Good for: hiking
- Coordinates: 39.055, -106.159
Intended uses
hiking
Keep planning
Popular pursuits at Buffalo Peaks Wilderness
- Hunting
Seasons, tags, and the units that hold animals.
- Mountaineering
Glacier and high-route objectives with real consequence.
- Winter Camping
Cold-season travel and camp craft; layering matters more than mileage.
- Skiing
Ski-touring access when the road closes for the season.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
Animals around Buffalo Peaks Wilderness
Forests, meadows and the twin peaks
Buffalo Peaks Wilderness centers on East Buffalo and West Buffalo, rounded mountain domes visible from much of South Park and the Arkansas River Valley. The landscape is more about forest, open meadows and beaver ponds than deep glacial valleys or secluded lakes. Engelmann spruce, Douglas fir, lodgepole pine, limber pine and aspen cover much of the country, with stands of bristlecone pine on some south-facing slopes. Elaborate beaver dams shape the ponds threaded through the meadows. Visitor numbers are relatively low compared with nearby Collegiate Peaks Wilderness, making this a reasonable choice for hikers seeking a quieter forest trip rather than a lake-centered itinerary. The wilderness spans two national forests: Pike on the east side and San Isabel on the west.
Choosing a trip and preparing for wildlife
Day hiking and backpacking are established ways to explore Buffalo Peaks, with many miles of trail in or near the wilderness. Choose an outing using a detailed topographic map rather than assuming every nearby trail stays within the boundary. Carry a Pike or San Isabel National Forest map, or suitable U.S. Geological Survey or National Geographic Trails Illustrated mapping, for access and navigation. Potable water is not available at the site, so bring drinking water and a treatment method if planning to use natural sources. Beaver, elk, mule deer, black bears, mountain lions and a large bighorn sheep herd inhabit this country. Give animals space, secure food appropriately and keep pets under control at all times. Meadows and ponds are wildlife habitat, not reasons to approach animals more closely.
Seasonal access, permits and overnight bases
The wilderness is open to foot traffic year-round, but road access has important limits. Forest Service Roads 432, 431, 433, 435 and 436 close annually from January 1 through June 15 for elk calving. The county does not plow Weston Pass road beyond Sheep Creek Trail, so access there depends on snow levels. No permit or wilderness access fee is required; sign in at the trailhead and sign out when leaving. Wilderness regulations apply, and motorized vehicles and bicycles are not allowed on wilderness trails. Nearby developed campgrounds charge camping fees. Weston Pass Campground sits adjacent to the east side and operates first-come, first-served. Buffalo Springs Campground, closer to U.S. Highway 285 and about 3 miles from the wilderness, accepts reservations through Recreation.gov.
Route options
- Day hiking
Use the trails in and near the wilderness for a day outing through forest and meadow country. Select the trail and turnaround point with detailed topographic mapping, accounting for seasonal road access.
- Backpacking
Plan an overnight walking trip on the wilderness trail network. Build the itinerary around mapped trails and natural water sources rather than expecting secluded lakes; carry water treatment and secure food away from wildlife.
Sample itineraries
- East-Side Day Hike · 1 day
Choose an east-side trail using a detailed topographic map. Make an out-and-back walk through forest and meadows, turning around to suit conditions and ability. Sign in and out at the trailhead; check seasonal road closures before driving.
- Weston Pass Camping and Hiking · 2 days
Use first-come, first-served Weston Pass Campground, adjacent to the wilderness, as a base for day hikes. Explore mapped trails without committing to a summit. Confirm snow-dependent road access and bring drinking water.
- Buffalo Springs Base Camp · 3 days
Reserve Buffalo Springs Campground near U.S. Highway 285, about 3 miles from the wilderness. Spend two days on map-planned wilderness hikes through forest and meadow terrain. The campground is a base, not a stated trail connection; plan access separately.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Spring; road closures continue through June 15
Forest Service Roads 432, 431, 433, 435 and 436 remain closed for elk calving. Wilderness foot access remains open, but snow levels affect accessibility. Weston Pass road is not plowed past Sheep Creek Trail.
Summer
Summer; annual elk-calving road closures end June 15
Plan hiking and backpacking around current road and trail conditions rather than assuming the closure end date guarantees access. No potable water is available at the wilderness site; carry water and treatment equipment.
Fall
Fall
Foot access remains open. Forest and meadow hikes require weather-ready layers and a flexible turnaround plan. Snow levels can affect Weston Pass road access; confirm conditions before choosing a campground-based trip.
Winter
Winter; annual road closures begin January 1
The wilderness remains open to foot traffic, but snow limits access. Weston Pass road is not plowed past Sheep Creek Trail. Forest Service Roads 432, 431, 433, 435 and 436 close January 1 through June 15.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Spring; road closures continue through June 15 | Forest Service Roads 432, 431, 433, 435 and 436 remain closed for elk calving. Wilderness foot access remains open, but snow levels affect accessibility. Weston Pass road is not plowed past Sheep Creek Trail. |
| Summer | Summer; annual elk-calving road closures end June 15 | Plan hiking and backpacking around current road and trail conditions rather than assuming the closure end date guarantees access. No potable water is available at the wilderness site; carry water and treatment equipment. |
| Fall | Fall | Foot access remains open. Forest and meadow hikes require weather-ready layers and a flexible turnaround plan. Snow levels can affect Weston Pass road access; confirm conditions before choosing a campground-based trip. |
| Winter | Winter; annual road closures begin January 1 | The wilderness remains open to foot traffic, but snow limits access. Weston Pass road is not plowed past Sheep Creek Trail. Forest Service Roads 432, 431, 433, 435 and 436 close January 1 through June 15. |
Permits, fees & closures
No permit is required to access Buffalo Peaks Wilderness. Sign in at the trailhead when entering and sign out when leaving. Wilderness regulations apply.
Fees: Wilderness access has no fee. Fees apply at nearby developed campgrounds.
Reservations: Weston Pass Campground is first-come, first-served. Buffalo Springs Campground can be reserved through Recreation.gov.
Official source: Buffalo Peaks Wilderness - East Side - USDA Forest Service · Verified October 19, 2026
Hazards & regulations
- Snow can limit access on Weston Pass road, which the county does not plow past Sheep Creek Trail.
- Seasonal elk-calving closures affect Forest Service Roads 432, 431, 433, 435 and 436 from January 1 through June 15 annually. Plan access accordingly.
- No potable water is available at the wilderness site. Carry drinking water and treat any collected water.
- Black bears and mountain lions inhabit the wilderness. Store food securely, keep wildlife at a distance and keep pets under control.
- Multiple access options require careful navigation. Carry a detailed map rather than treating an interior wilderness map point as a trailhead.
What to pack for Buffalo Peaks Wilderness
- Pike National Forest or San Isabel National Forest map
- U.S. Geological Survey or National Geographic Trails Illustrated topographic map
- Current road-closure and access information
- Drinking water
- Water treatment equipment
- Secure food storage
- Leash for keeping pets under control
- Insulating layers and weatherproof outerwear
- Footwear suited to current trail and snow conditions
- Shelter and sleeping system for overnight trips
- First-aid kit and headlamp
Buffalo Peaks Wilderness FAQ
- What defines the landscape?
- East Buffalo and West Buffalo rise as rounded domes above forests, large meadows and beaver ponds. Expect spruce, fir, pine and aspen, with bristlecone stands on some south-facing slopes—not deep glacial valleys or secluded lakes.
- Which national forests manage the wilderness?
- The east side lies in Pike National Forest; the west side lies in San Isabel National Forest. The South Park Ranger District is the east-side contact.
- Are bicycles or motorized vehicles allowed?
- No. Wilderness trails are closed to bicycles and motorized vehicles. Plan travel consistent with wilderness regulations.
- Can dogs come along?
- Pets must remain under control at all times. Prevent chasing or disturbing wildlife, particularly elk during calving season. Confirm any applicable leash requirements before visiting.
- Are horses and pack animals allowed?
- Yes. Secure animals 100 feet from lakes, streams and trails. Restraining or grazing recreational livestock is prohibited within 100 feet of lakes or streams. Use only certified weed-free hay or pelletized food, and move picketed stock often to limit damage.
- How should access be planned?
- Use detailed forest and topographic maps to select a real access point. Check seasonal road closures and snow conditions. For east-side questions, contact South Park Ranger District at 719-836-2031.