Rawah Lakes and Camp Lakes Loop (Rawah Wilderness)

Rawah Wilderness, Roosevelt National Forest, Canyon Lakes Ranger District (West Branch Trailhead, Laramie River Road)

The Rawah Wilderness sits in the Medicine Bow Mountains of northern Colorado, just south of the Wyoming line, with lakes tucked into glacial cirques. Away From the Grind says Rawah is a Native American word meaning “wild place.” The classic backpacking trip is a loop of about 24 miles from the West Branch Trailhead past the Rawah Lakes, Twin Crater Lakes, and Camp Lakes, which AllTrails describes as easy to follow, with open meadows and chances to see moose.

Camping rules here are stricter than in many Colorado wildernesses: tents must be at least 200 feet from lakes, streams, and trails.

The hike

The loop starts at the West Branch Trailhead on the Laramie River Road. Away From the Grind puts it at about 8,580 feet and describes the West Branch Trail (#960) following the West Branch of the Laramie River into the wilderness through deep timber. Poudre Wilderness Volunteers’ trail sheet lists the junction with the Camp Lake Trail at 2.7 miles and a crossing of the North Fork of the West Branch at 3.4 miles. It rates the West Branch Trail moderate for hikers and 7.1 miles one way to Island and Carey Lakes.

At about 3.7 miles, Away From the Grind turns right onto the Rawah Trail (#961) toward the Rawah Lakes. It says there are many good camping areas to choose from up there, and notes that the regulations require camping 200 feet from lakes and streams to protect sensitive vegetation. Away From the Grind puts the high point at Grassy Pass, about 11,220 feet.

Twin Crater Lakes are a popular side trip. Poudre Wilderness Volunteers’ sheet for that trail describes a 1.5-mile spur from the Rawah Trail to two lakes in a glacial cirque. It points to good camping before the first stream crossing and in the trees near the first lake, at least 200 feet from water and trail, and warns of a heavily impacted, illegal camping area to avoid.

The loop returns on the Camp Lake Trail (#968). Away From the Grind describes a 0.7-mile spur to Upper Camp Lake, calling it a peaceful wonder of quiet and solitude. It warns that the Camp Lake Trail gets long and hot, following the lip of an abandoned irrigation ditch for a couple of miles before plunging steeply past a couple of ruined cabins to rejoin the West Branch Trail. Poudre Wilderness Volunteers rates the Camp Lake Trail difficult for hikers.

AllTrails reviewers describe lakes ringed by purple fireweed and pink Indian paintbrush, with plenty of camping spots off the trail. AllTrails recommends July through September and bug spray. A July 2026 reviewer found slushy snowfields and no usable campsites between the first Rawah Lake and the river crossings beyond the Twin Crater Lakes junction.

The Forest Service order for the Rawah and nearby wildernesses lays out the rules. It bans camping and campfires within 200 feet of lakes, streams, and developed trails, allows only self-contained chemical stoves within that zone, and bans camping within a quarter mile of Blue and Hang Lakes. Poudre Wilderness Volunteers adds that wood fires are prohibited above 10,800 feet in the Rawah Alpine Closure Area.

For another northern Colorado loop, see the Zirkel Circle.

Tips

Camp 200 feet from water and trails. The Forest Service order requires it, and wilderness rangers enforce it.
Bring a stove. Wood fires are banned above 10,800 feet.
Pack bug spray. AllTrails says the Rawah Lakes can be buggy.
Watch for moose. AllTrails mentions moose sightings in the meadows.
Check snow early in the season. A July 2026 reviewer found snowfields covering campsites.

Camping

Camping is dispersed in the Rawah Wilderness. The Forest Service order prohibits camping within 200 feet of lakes, streams, and developed trails, and within a quarter mile of Blue and Hang Lakes. Mountain Jay Media notes that wilderness rangers enforce these camping restrictions and that camping is limited to 14 days. The Forest Service says larger groups need a permit before entering; we found no permit requirement for smaller groups.

Inside Intel: Poudre Wilderness Volunteers points to two good places on the Twin Crater Lakes spur: a flat, open area just before the first stream crossing, and spots in the trees near the first lake. Away From the Grind calls Upper Camp Lake, a short spur off the return leg, a peaceful place for solitude. An AllTrails reviewer found plenty of nice spots off the trail around the lakes.

Trail facts

Distance: About 23.9 miles for the full loop
Route type: Loop, usually several days
Difficulty: Strenuous; the Camp Lake Trail is rated difficult
Elevation: West Branch Trailhead about 8,580 feet; Grassy Pass about 11,220 feet
Campsites: Dispersed, at least 200 feet from lakes, streams, and trails
Water: Lakes and creeks. Treat all water.
Permits: None for most groups; larger groups need a permit
Fires: Prohibited within 200 feet of water and trails, and above 10,800 feet
Trailhead: West Branch Trailhead, Laramie River Road (County Road 103)
Season: July through September (AllTrails)
Last verified: October 2, 2026

The Lowdown

Lake country near the Wyoming line:

Several nights among the Rawah's high cirques call for a sleeping bag you trust. See which bags testers rate.

See the picks →

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.