Reservation8/10
3 Days Ahead
The last-minute pool. About a quarter of each backcountry zone's nightly quota i...
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ReservationOvernightHigh Demand
Indian Peaks Overnight Permit — Full Season in Advance
The main pool of Indian Peaks overnight permits. One release covers the whole June 1 to September 15 season across all 17 backcountry zones, and it is the only place a group of 8 to 12 can book a night.
“A bucket-list destination in Indian Peaks.”
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Be notified instantly when Full Season permits become available due to cancellations.
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Get availability alerts
Be notified instantly when Full Season permits become available due to cancellations.
Join 2,800+ permit hunters using PermitSnag
Full Season Quick Facts
Permit RequiredYes
Booking MethodReservation
Demand LevelHigh7/10
SeasonJune 1 - September 15
Cost$11 ($6 Recreation.gov + $5 Forest Service)
Max Group Size12 people
Full Season Permit Facts
- As of August 2026, Full Season in Indian Peaks Wilderness, National Forests & Wilderness requires a permit issued via reservation.
- Full Season is a high-demand permit, rating 7/10 on PermitSnag's demand index.
- The permit season for Full Season runs June 1 through September 15.
- Cancelled Full Season permits are re-released on the booking system; PermitSnag monitors availability and alerts watchers when dates open.
Key Information
Key Dates
SeasonJune 1 - September 15
Permit Details
TypeOvernight
Booking MethodReservation
Demand Level7/10
LocationColorado Front Range
Pro Tips
- •Sale morning is the first Tuesday in March at 8 a.m. Mountain Time, which in 2026 was March 3
- •Groups of 8 to 12 can only book here, not on the 3-days-in-advance page
- •Trailheads inside Brainard Lake Recreation Area need a separate timed-entry reservation
- •Campfires are banned everywhere east of the Continental Divide, so plan on a stove
What to Expect
Highlights
- •17 zones, each capped by groups per night, on both sides of the Continental Divide
- •Designated campsites in four areas: Crater Lake, Caribou Lake, Diamond Lake and Jasper Lake
- •Trailhead parking that fills by 6 a.m. on summer weekends
- •Afternoon thunderstorms above treeline nearly every July and August day
- •Snow lingering on the passes into early July in a heavy year
Best Time to Visit
Mid-July through early September is the reliable window: passes clear, wildflowers up, and the permit season still open. Late September is beautiful and quiet but falls outside the permit season, which ends September 15.
Hazards & Considerations
- !Afternoon lightning above treeline, so be off the passes by noon
- !Altitude, with most zones between 10,000 and 12,000 feet
- !Beetle-killed trees coming down in high wind
- !Snow-covered talus on Pawnee and Arapaho passes into July
How to Get This Permit
1
Create a Recreation.gov account
Sign up at Recreation.gov if you don't have an account. Have your payment info ready.
2
Know the release schedule
Permits typically release on a rolling basis. Check the specific release time for your desired dates.
3
Be ready when permits drop
Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.
4
Monitor for cancellations
If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.
When to Go
Peak: June 1Shoulder: Spring and Fall
Conditions
Season typically runs June 1 to September 15.
Crowd Level
ModerateAdvantages
- +Longest days
- +Warmest temperatures
- +Reliable trail conditions
Challenges
- !Peak demand for permits
- !Book accommodations early
- !Weather varies
Difficulty Assessment
Physical Demand1/5
Fitness and endurance required
Technical Skill1/5
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Navigation1/5
Route finding and trail clarity
Commitment3/5
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
Hikers of moderate fitness willing to put in the effort.
Recommended Experience
Basic hiking experience. Start with shorter trails if new to hiking.
About This Permit
Indian Peaks sits between Boulder and Grand Lake along the Continental Divide, close enough to Denver that the Forest Service has been rationing it since the 1980s. Overnight camping between June 1 and September 15 needs a permit, and the wilderness is cut into 17 backcountry zones, each with its own nightly cap on the number of groups.
This permit is the big release: the first Tuesday in March at 8 a.m. Mountain Time, the whole season goes on sale at once, covering about 75% of every zone's quota. The remaining quarter is held back and dribbled out three days ahead on a separate Recreation.gov page.
One detail worth knowing before you plan a group trip: this page is the only one with the Group divisions. Recreation.gov tells large parties the same thing on the day-use permit: "If you need a large group overnight permit, please go to the Full Season in Advance Page."
The Experience
Why It Matters
Full Season draws visitors from around the world to Indian Peaks. The permit system balances access with preservation, ensuring the experience remains worthwhile for those who make the journey.
Rules & Regulations
- •Overnight permit required June 1 through September 15
- •Group size capped at 12 people, or 12 people and pack stock combined, year-round
- •Campfires prohibited everywhere east of the Continental Divide
- •Campfires also prohibited at Crater Lake, Caribou Lake, Columbine Lake, Pawnee Lake, Gourd Lake and upper Cascade Creek west of the Divide
- •Pets must be on a hand-held leash at all times
- •Camp only in the zone printed on your permit
- •Pack stock banned in the Crater Lake, Four Lakes, Diamond Lake and upper Cascade Creek zones
Gear Checklist
Required
- Stove, because campfires are illegal across the whole east side
- Water filter or treatment, since giardia is common in these drainages
- Rain shell and warm layers for daily afternoon storms
- Map and compass, since cell coverage dies past the trailheads
Recommended
- Microspikes and an ice axe for early-season passes
- Weed-free feed documentation if you are bringing stock
- A backup zone in mind for sale morning
Plan Your Trip
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Gear Checklist
Required and recommended gear for Full Season
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Full Season FAQ
When do Indian Peaks Wilderness overnight permits go on sale?
The first Tuesday in March, at 8 a.m. Mountain Time. Recreation.gov puts it exactly that way on this permit: "Permits go on sale the first Tuesday in March. For 2026 this will be March 3rd at 8:00 a.m. Mountain Standard Time." One release covers the entire June 1 to September 15 season.
What is the difference between the two Indian Peaks overnight permits?
They sell two slices of the same quota. Recreation.gov: "About 75% of the quota for each Backcountry Zone is released for reservations for the entire season on the Full Season in Advance page. The remaining 25% is released three days before a trip could begin." This page is the 75%. The other page is the last-minute quarter, and it does not carry the Group divisions, so a party of 8 to 12 has to book here.
How is the Indian Peaks permit quota counted?
By groups per zone per night, not by people. Recreation.gov: "The quota for this permit is measured in number of groups per Backcountry Zone, per night... While this number includes large groups (8-12 people), each zone allows for only one large group per day/night." The wilderness is split into 17 zones and each one has its own cap.
Do I need any other permit or reservation for Indian Peaks?
Often, yes. The Forest Service warns on this permit that "Overnight Permits, Day Use Permits and Timed Entry Reservations are required to visit Indian Peaks Wilderness depending on season, group size, and location." If you are parking inside Brainard Lake Recreation Area you need a timed entry reservation for that day, and access on the west side through Arapaho National Recreation Area needs a pass. New for 2026, the Forest Service also added fees at the Rainbow Lakes and Middle St. Vrain trailheads.
👥Community
Trail Conditions
Questions
Trip Reports
Write ReportPhotography Guide
Golden Hour
Golden hour at Full Season offers the best photography conditions with warm, directional light.
Best Light
Early morning typically provides the clearest conditions and best light quality.
Beat the Crowds
Weekdays and early mornings see fewer visitors for cleaner compositions.
Classic Shots
- 📍Classic view of Full Season
- 📍Indian Peaks scenery
- 📍Trail or route documentation
Can't Get a Full Season Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
Indian Peaks 3 Days in Advance Permit
Same AreaThe last-minute quarter of the same zone quotas, released three days before your trip could start.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
No advance planning needed, but it sells out fast and carries no Group divisions for parties of 8 to 12.
Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness
Similar ExperienceZone-based overnight permits in Colorado's other rationed alpine wilderness, four hours southwest.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Higher demand and a longer drive, but the Four Pass Loop is the better-known objective.
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