Seven Brothers Lakes

Cloud Peak Wilderness, Bighorn National Forest (east side, west of Buffalo)

Seven Brothers Lakes are a chain of subalpine lakes on the east side of the Cloud Peak Wilderness, below the high ridge that separates them from Florence Canyon. Backpacker describes the route as an 11.2-mile out-and-back from the Buffalo side of the range, ending at a chain of subalpine lakes framed by rugged domes.

It’s a shorter, more relaxed trip than the routes that cross the range, and a 2022 trip report voted it that group’s best campsite of the week.

The hike

Backpacker’s 2013 trip description starts at a parking area west of Buffalo and follows the road 1.2 miles to the Seven Brothers Trail. The trail fords North Clear Creek and crosses Buffalo Park, a meadow with an aspen-lined stream. On the meadow’s far side, a junction marks the entry into the Cloud Peak Wilderness.

From there the trail climbs through spruce and fir. Spur trails branch toward the second and third lakes, and the main trail continues past the chain to the sixth and largest lake. Backpacker suggests a grassy knoll with a view of the sixth lake, “framed by rugged domes,” and notes a last lake beyond it in a wooded valley. It says camping is not allowed past the sixth lake; confirm that rule, since it doesn’t appear in the forest’s 2026 wilderness order.

A Backcountry Post group of nine reached the lakes in July 2022 from the Circle Park Trailhead by way of Sherd Lake, then continued over the ridge to Florence Canyon and Florence Pass (11,000 feet) the next day, part of a longer trip that went on to Cloud Peak and Lost Twin Lakes. They found wind on the Seven Brothers ridge, chilly nights, and snowfields in Florence Canyon.

Scott Chandler, who wrote a 2014 trip-report series about the wilderness, shifted a trip to Seven Brothers so he could spend nights out, and described a wet, stormy night there and lakes nearly empty of visitors in early August rain. He also reported finding stock illegally tied to live trees near the lakes, which the 2026 order prohibits.

For the long loop around the whole peak, see the Solitude Loop.

Tips

Register at the trailhead. The self-issued registration is free and required.
Bring ford shoes for North Clear Creek.
Use a stove. Only chemical stoves are allowed above 9,200 feet.
Camp 100 feet from the lakes, per the 2026 order.
Check where camping ends. Backpacker says no camping past the sixth lake.

Camping

Bighorn National Forest order 02-02-26-01 (March 31, 2026, through 2030) requires a free, signed and dated self-issued registration from the trailhead kiosk. Groups are limited to 10 people and 15 head of stock. Camping is prohibited within 100 feet of any lake, stream, or pond, and stock may not be tied to live trees or within 100 feet of water. Above 9,200 feet only self-contained chemical stoves are allowed; below it fires must be in a fire pan, blanket, or enclosed stove and at least 300 feet from water and trails.

Inside Intel: The 2022 Backcountry Post group voted Seven Brothers “the best campsite due to the lack of mosquitoes, proximity to water,” with an overlook of Florence Canyon. Backpacker says to “take your pick of campsites near several spectacular tarns.”

Trail facts

Distance: 11.2 miles round trip (Backpacker), including 1.2 miles of road
Route type: Out and back
Difficulty: Moderate
Campsites: Dispersed near the lakes; Backpacker says none past the sixth lake
Water: Lakes and streams; treat it
Fords: North Clear Creek
Permits: Free self-issued registration required
Fires: Chemical stoves only above 9,200 feet
Group size: 10 people, 15 stock
Trailhead: East side of the range west of Buffalo (Backpacker gives coordinates only)
Last verified: October 12, 2026

The Lowdown

Fording North Clear Creek to Seven Brothers:

The Seven Brothers Trail fords North Clear Creek early on, before Buffalo Park, and the page suggests ford shoes for it. See which water shoes to pack, plus four more tips for safer crossings.

See the water-crossing 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.