Ice Lakes Basin (near Silverton)

San Juan National Forest, Columbine Ranger District (South Mineral Creek, west of Silverton)

CBS Colorado calls the Ice Lakes Trail uber-popular: a steep climb from South Mineral Creek near Silverton to alpine lakes in a high basin. The Forest Service describes the basin surrounded by Grant, Fuller, and Beatie Peaks. It’s also one of the most crowded. The San Juan Mountains Association says the area gets 100 to 600 visitors a day in July and August.

That popularity has brought rules, and a backpacking trip here takes some planning.

The hike

The trail starts across the road from South Mineral Campground. The Forest Service says you reach the campground by turning off U.S. 550 about 3 miles west of Silverton onto Forest Road 585 and following South Mineral Creek. It describes the Ice Lake Trail as strenuous, steep, and popular, climbing above timberline to high alpine lakes surrounded by wildflower meadows and rocky peaks. SJMA says overnight camping isn’t allowed at the Ice Lake Trailhead parking lot.

The Forest Service’s advice for backpackers is short: camp in the lower basin, in established campsites. SJMA explains why. The alpine vegetation in the upper basin is fragile and easily damaged by tents, and campfires there leave scars that can last for years. It says that if you camp in the upper basin, which has no wood, you definitely shouldn’t build a fire. It also warns that using wood from historic structures is prohibited.

The basin has seen problems from heavy use. CBS Colorado reported that a local official found campfire remains above treeline containing vintage nails from raided mining structures, and a large amount of human waste beside Ice Lake. The Forest Service and local officials were considering restrictions at the time. SJMA notes that the Ice Lake area isn’t designated wilderness but is included in the San Juan Wilderness Act for possible inclusion in the Sheep Mountain Special Management Area.

The landscape still bears fire scars. The Forest Service says the 2020 Ice Fire damaged the trail and surrounding area, leaving snags and loose material that can be hazardous in rain or wind. Crews have cleared fallen debris and many snags from the trail, campground, and roads, but the Forest Service notes a post-fire environment is inherently hazardous.

Weather is the other concern. The Forest Service says the area, like all terrain above timberline, offers little natural shelter.

The Forest Service calls July 4 through Labor Day weekend the peak period, when parking and backcountry campsites can be very hard to find and solitude is nearly impossible.

Along South Mineral Road, camping is tightly managed. SJMA counts four camping areas with outhouses in the first 2.6 miles of FS 585, plus about seven pullouts with single camping spaces between miles 1.4 and 4.6. The Forest Service says dispersed camping along FS 585 is allowed only in designated camping areas, including the Anvil, Bear, and Sultan areas, at least 100 feet from water. Its June 2026 conditions page repeats that South Mineral Creek allows camping in designated sites only, and that no motor vehicles are allowed off the road to reach campsites.

For another busy San Juan trip, see Chicago Basin.

Tips

Camp in the lower basin. The Forest Service asks backpackers to use established sites there.
Skip the campfire. SJMA strongly discourages fires in the upper basin, and wood from historic structures is off limits.
Don’t camp at the trailhead. Overnight camping isn’t allowed in the parking lot.
Avoid peak summer weekends. The Forest Service says July 4 to Labor Day is the busiest.
Pack out everything, including toilet paper. SJMA says used toilet paper counts as trash.

Camping

The Forest Service asks backpackers to camp in the lower basin in established campsites. SJMA says camping isn’t permitted within 100 feet of streams or lakes and recommends packing out used toilet paper. South Mineral Campground has 26 first-come, first-served sites, and dispersed camping along South Mineral Road is allowed only in designated camping areas. Check fire restrictions, which SJMA says can change without notice.

Inside Intel: The lower basin is where the Forest Service wants you, and it’s also where the trees are. SJMA points out that the upper basin is alpine, with no wood and fragile plants that tents damage easily. For a night near the trailhead, the Forest Service lists Anvil, Bear, and Sultan as the designated dispersed camping areas on South Mineral Road, and warns the area is extremely busy.

Trail facts

Distance: About 9 miles round trip (CBS Colorado)
Route type: Out and back
Difficulty: Strenuous. Steep climb above timberline.
Campsites: Established sites in the lower basin
Water: Lakes and streams. Treat all water.
Permits: None found (a permit system was once considered; confirm)
Fires: Strongly discouraged in the upper basin; seasonal restrictions apply
Trailhead: Ice Lake Trailhead, across from South Mineral Campground on FS 585 (no overnight camping in the lot)
Last verified: October 2, 2026

The Lowdown

A night in the lower basin:

Ice Lakes Basin sits near timberline with little shelter from the weather, so bring a warm bag. See which sleeping bags testers rate.

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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.