Contact Info
The University of Montana
Missoula, MT 59812
- Phone:
- 406-243-6933
Description
The Powderhorn Wilderness now contains a total of 61,510 acres and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service. All of the wilderness is in the state of Colorado.
Public land becomes wilderness through legislation passed by the United States Congress in the form of public laws. For the Powderhorn Wilderness, this process began in 1993 when 60,100 acres were designated by Public Law 103-77.
The Powderhorn Wilderness is part of the 106 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System. This System of wild lands contributes significantly to the ecological, economic, and social health of our country. Wilderness provides clean air and water, a shelter for endangered species, sacred places for indigenous peoples, a living laboratory for research, and a classroom for exploring personal values while experiencing risk, reward, and self-reliance. In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities like hiking, backpacking, climbing, kayaking, canoeing, rafting, horse packing, bird watching, stargazing, and extraordinary opportunities for solitude.
Details
Additional Details:
No permits or fees are necessary for the general public to visit the area. Outfitted groups - both for-profit and non-profit must have a Special Recreation Use Permit to operate in this area. Check at least 6 months in advance with the BLM office in Gunnison. No motorized or mechanized vehicles (such as mountain bikes, hang gliders, skateboards etc.) are allowed in the wilderness. Group size is limited to 25 heartbeats (people, horses, dogs etc.) but we encourage you to keep it below 15 heartbeats. Fire bans are sometimes in effect in dry years - check with the local office (970) 641-0471 for the current conditions. Visitors are encouraged to sign in at trailheads to help us keep track of visitation. We encourage everyone to practice Leave No Trace camping. Please keep your pets under control so they don''t bother wildlife or other visitors.
For more information or to contact the Powderhorn Wilderness, log onto the Powderhorn Wilderness page on Wilderness.net.
Leave No Trace principles:
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Dispose of Waste Properly
- Leave What You Find
- Minimize Campfire Impacts
- Respect Wildlife
- Be Considerate of Other Visitors
Leave No Trace principles:
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Dispose of Waste Properly
- Leave What You Find
- Minimize Campfire Impacts
- Respect Wildlife
- Be Considerate of Other Visitors
Map + Directions
Basic Directions
The Powderhorn Wilderness is in southwest Colorado about 40 miles southwest of Gunnison or 10 miles northeast of Lake City.
Directions: From Gunnison go west on Highway 50 for 9 miles to the junction with Highway 149. Proceed south and west on 149 for 17 miles to County Rd. 27. You can turn south on this road to access the 10 Mile Springs, Powderhorn Park and Brush Creek Trailheads. Rather than turn on Cty. Rd. 27 you can also continue on Hwy. 149 for 3 more miles to the Indian Creek road - 10 miles of rough 2wd road to get to the Powderhorn Lakes Trailhead. From Lake City you can also proceed 8 miles north on Hwy 149 to the turnoff for the Devil's Creek Trailhead.
