Gore Lake (Eagles Nest Wilderness)

Eagles Nest Wilderness, White River National Forest (Gore Creek Trailhead, East Vail)

Gore Lake sits high in a cirque of the Gore Range, the jagged spine of the Eagles Nest Wilderness above Vail. The trail follows Gore Creek east from East Vail, then climbs a steep, well-worn path to the lake, where TripAdvisor’s reviewer describes high, flat camping spots around the shore. AllTrails calls Gore Lake Trail the most popular camping trail in the wilderness.

The Forest Service notes that heavy use is impacting the high lakes here, so Leave No Trace matters.

The hike

The Forest Service says Congress designated the Eagles Nest Wilderness in 1976 and that it covers 133,496 acres in the White River National Forest, with the rugged Gore Range at its heart. Lit Wick describes the range as a northwest-to-southeast backbone running about 60 miles along the north side of I-70, with no trails cutting over the ridge east to west.

The trip starts at the Gore Creek Trailhead. A TripAdvisor reviewer places it east of Vail on Bighorn Road, near Gore Creek Campground, and describes the trail following Gore Creek east toward Red Buffalo Pass. At 4 miles, the reviewer turned left at the junction with the Gore Lake Trail and climbed about 2 more miles up a steep, well-worn trail to the shore.

The reviewer then circled the lake for about another mile to reach high, flat, dispersed campsites, making the trip about 7 miles and 3,000 vertical feet one way. Komoot lists the Gore Lake Trail at 11.7 miles round trip with about 2,674 feet of gain, and AllTrails rates it hard.

Wildlife is part of the experience. AllTrails says mountain goats are prevalent at Gore Lake.

Lit Wick notes that the roughly 45-mile Gore Range Trail runs along the wilderness’s eastern edge, and that Eagles Nest Peak rises to 13,419 feet; Komoot lists Mount Powell at 13,586 feet. A Summit Daily hiking column warns that heavy use has degraded parts of the wilderness, and that abuse tends to bring tighter rules and closures.

The rules come from the Forest Service. It says free, self-issued registration forms are available at wilderness trailheads and are required for overnight camping, though not for day use. It asks campers to choose previously impacted sites at least 100 feet from trails, lakes, and streams. Fires are prohibited within 100 feet of any stream or Forest Service trail, within a quarter mile of any lake, and anywhere above treeline. Camp stoves are recommended. AllTrails adds that dogs must be on a hand-held leash at all times.

Lit Wick notes that established sites are preferable to creating new ones, and that self-issued permits go in drop boxes at trailheads.

For a shorter Gore Range alternative, AllTrails lists Booth Lake, a 9.3-mile out-and-back past 60-foot Booth Falls to an alpine cirque. It recommends arriving early to beat afternoon thunderstorms, since the lake is near treeline, and says backpackers can park for free at Vail’s Gore Creek or Red Sandstone parking garages and take the bus to the Booth Lake trailhead.

Outdoor Trail Maps says the wilderness has about 180 miles of trails reached from Silverthorne, Frisco, and Vail.

For another Colorado lake below jagged peaks, see Crater Lake and Lone Eagle Peak.

Tips

Fill out a registration form. The Forest Service requires free self-issued registration for overnight camping.
No campfires near the lake. Fires are banned within a quarter mile of any lake and above treeline.
Camp 100 feet from water and trails. Choose previously impacted sites.
Give mountain goats space. AllTrails says they’re common at Gore Lake.
Start early. Afternoon storms are common near treeline.

Camping

Camping is dispersed in the Eagles Nest Wilderness with a free, self-issued registration form from the trailhead. The Forest Service asks campers to use previously impacted sites at least 100 feet from trails, lakes, and streams, and recommends stoves; fires are banned within a quarter mile of any lake and above treeline. Dogs must be on a hand-held leash, per AllTrails.

Inside Intel: Don’t stop at the first lakeside spot. The TripAdvisor reviewer circled the lake for about another mile to reach high, flat, dispersed campsites. The Forest Service’s guidance points the same way: choose an already-impacted site well back from the water.

Trail facts

Distance: About 11.7 to 12.9 miles round trip
Route type: Out and back
Difficulty: Strenuous. Steep climb from the Gore Creek Trail junction.
Elevation: About 2,700 to 3,000 feet of gain
Campsites: Dispersed around the lake, at least 100 feet from water and trails
Water: Gore Creek and the lake. Treat all water.
Permits: Free self-issued overnight registration
Fires: Prohibited within 1/4 mile of any lake and above treeline
Dogs: On a hand-held leash
Trailhead: Gore Creek Trailhead, Bighorn Road, East Vail
Last verified: October 2, 2026

The Lowdown

High, flat sites around Gore Lake:

Circle Gore Lake for about a mile and you'll find high, flat dispersed sites near treeline. Side sleepers can make the most of them with fixes like a taller pillow and a roomier bag or quilt.

Get the side-sleeper tips →

Where this comes from

This page draws on the sources below, along with other guides and trip reports. Links go to the original pages.

Before you go: This page is based on published trail guides, trip reports, and reviews, along with official park and agency information where we could find it. It’s meant to help backpackers discover new trails, not to replace current, official information. Conditions, closures, permits, campsites, and water sources change, and some details here may be out of date or wrong. Confirm everything with the managing agency and check current conditions before you head out, and don’t rely on this page alone for safety or navigation. Backcountry travel involves risk.