Top wilderness areas
Wilderness AreaLa Garita Wilderness
Wilderness AreaLizard Head Wilderness
Wilderness AreaUncompahgre Wilderness
Wilderness AreaWeminuche Wilderness
Wilderness AreaPowderhorn Wilderness
Wilderness AreaMaroon Bells–Snowmass Wilderness
Wilderness AreaBlack Ridge Canyons Wilderness
Wilderness AreaDominguez Canyon Wilderness
Wilderness AreaMesa Verde Wilderness
Wilderness AreaGunnison Gorge Wilderness
Wilderness AreaHoly Cross Wilderness
Wilderness AreaLost Creek Wilderness
Wilderness Areas by county
All wilderness areas (35)
| Name | County | Elevation | Nearest town | Sky |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Garita Wilderness | Mineral County | — | Del Norte | 1 |
| Lizard Head Wilderness | Dolores County | — | Mountain Village | 1 |
| Uncompahgre Wilderness | Hinsdale County | — | Ouray | 1 |
| Weminuche Wilderness | San Juan County | — | Telluride | 1 |
| Powderhorn Wilderness | Hinsdale County | — | Ouray | 1 |
| Maroon Bells–Snowmass Wilderness | Gunnison County | — | Snowmass Village | 2 |
| Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness | Mesa County | — | Loma | 2 |
| Dominguez Canyon Wilderness | Delta County | — | Delta | 2 |
| Mesa Verde WildernessMesa Verde | Montezuma County | — | Mancos | 2 |
| Gunnison Gorge Wilderness | La Plata County | — | Mountain Village | 1 |
| Holy Cross Wilderness | Eagle County | — | Minturn | 3 |
| Lost Creek Wilderness | Park County | — | Bailey | 4 |
| Mount Evans Wilderness | Park County | — | Georgetown | 4 |
| Mount Massive Wilderness | Lake County | — | Leadville North | 2 |
| Rawah Wilderness | Larimer County | — | Estes Park | 2 |
| Sangre de Cristo WildernessGreat Sand Dunes | Saguache County | — | Center | 2 |
| Cache La Poudre Wilderness | Larimer County | — | Laporte | 3 |
| Collegiate Peaks Wilderness | Chaffee County | — | Buena Vista | 2 |
| Comanche Peak Wilderness | Larimer County | — | Estes Park | 3 |
| Fossil Ridge Wilderness | Gunnison County | — | Gunnison | 2 |
| Hunter–Fryingpan Wilderness | Pitkin County | — | Aspen | 2 |
| Mount Zirkel Wilderness | Routt County | — | Steamboat Springs | 2 |
| Buffalo Peaks Wilderness | Chaffee County | — | Buena Vista | 2 |
| Byers Peak Wilderness | Grand County | — | Fraser | 3 |
| Eagles Nest Wilderness | Eagle County | — | Vail | 3 |
| Flat Tops Wilderness Area | Rio Blanco County | — | Gypsum | 2 |
| Indian Peaks Wilderness | Boulder County | — | Nederland | 4 |
| James Peak Wilderness | Clear Creek County | — | Fraser | 4 |
| Hermosa Creek Wilderness | La Plata County | — | Durango | 2 |
| South San Juan Wilderness | Rio Grande County | — | Del Norte | 1 |
| Spanish Peaks Wilderness | Huerfano County | — | Walsenburg | 2 |
| West Elk Wilderness | Gunnison County | — | Crested Butte | 2 |
| Mount Sneffels Wilderness | San Miguel County | — | Mountain Village | 1 |
| Never Summer WildernessRocky Mountain | Grand County | — | Granby | 3 |
| Greenhorn Mountain Wilderness | Pueblo County | — | Colorado City | 2 |
Sky = estimated Bortle class (1 darkest – 9 brightest).
Map
How to photograph wilderness areas
Wilderness areas reward those who camp: being on location at sunrise and in the dark is the main advantage over day visitors.
- Motorized and mechanized equipment, including drones, is prohibited in designated wilderness.
- Group size limits and permits may apply; check with the managing agency.
- Practice Leave No Trace — camp on durable surfaces away from lakes and streams.
- Pack weight matters: a single zoom and a light tripod cover most situations.
- Night skies are often among the darkest in the country.
Season: Most high wilderness is snow-free from July to September; lower deserts are best in spring and autumn.