Chesler Park itinerary
Every published mile marker on the Chesler Park route, in order, with the distance and elevation change between each one — and which permit each stretch needs. To watch dates and set alerts, go to the Chesler Park permit page.
Which permit covers this route
The Chesler Park. One reservation is an ordered sequence of nights at named sites, issued by reservation.
The permit is issued for a named entry point. Elephant Hill Trailhead is the one on this list.
- Stops mapped
- 8
- Across the markers
- 5.5 mi
- Published route length
- 10 mi
- Published ascent
- 600 ft
How long it takes: 1-3 nights. That is the figure the permit publishes — this page does not divide the route into days, because no source records which stop you sleep at.
The stops below are the route's published mile markers, in order, with the elevations recorded against each one.
Distance and elevation change on each leg are the difference between the two published figures either side of it, so the legs are arithmetic on the markers and nothing more.
These two figures disagree. Adding up the climbs between the markers gives 694 ft, which is more than the 600 ft published for the whole route — and the marker sum can only ever be a floor. Both are printed as the catalogue records them rather than one being quietly dropped.
The Chesler Park route, stop by stop
Mile 0.0
5,180 ft
Elephant Hill Trailhead
Entry point — the permit is issued for this trailhead
Primary access point. Parking, restrooms. 4WD road continues to advanced trailheads.
2.0 miles · 220 ft up to Confluence Overlook Junction
Mile 2.0
5,400 ft
Confluence Overlook Junction
Trail junction. Left leads to Green/Colorado confluence.
1.0 mile · 200 ft down to The Joint Trail
Mile 3.0
5,200 ft
The Joint Trail
Slot canyons and fractures requiring scrambling. 0.5 miles through the joints.
1.0 mile · 437 ft up to Chesler Park Viewpoint
Mile 4.0
5,637 ft
Chesler Park Viewpoint
First views of the meadow and surrounding spires.
0.5 miles · 37 ft up to Campsite CP1
Mile 4.5
5,674 ft
Campsite CP1
Northern campsite. Most exposed to wind.
0.2 miles · 43 ft down to Campsite CP2-CP3
Mile 4.7
5,631 ft
Campsite CP2-CP3
Central campsites. Best all-around views.
0.3 miles · 25 ft down to Campsite CP4-CP5
Mile 5.0
5,606 ft
Campsite CP4-CP5
Southern campsites. More sheltered.
0.5 miles · 303 ft down to Druid Arch Junction
Mile 5.5
5,303 ft
Druid Arch Junction
Trail to Druid Arch (2 miles one way).
Getting a Chesler Park for the dates you want
Planning the route is the easy half. Chesler Park dates go fast, and the ones that come back are cancellations — they return to the booking system without warning and are gone again quickly. PermitSnag watches Chesler Park around the clock and alerts you the moment a date opens.