About Sweetwater #1854
The Sweetwater trail begins at the Hilltop Trailhead near Sweetwater Lake and ends at Coffee Pot Road #600. This fairly level, easy-to-follow trail follows the north rim of Sweetwater Canyon, beginning as a slight uphill grade through scrub oak and sagebrush and entering aspen interspersed with grassy meadows at about 2 miles, followed by aspen and fir forest. This trail offers beautiful views of the snow-capped peaks of the Sawach Range, Sweetwater Lake and Canyon, and the high cliffs of the Flat Tops.* There is a printable Recreation Quicksheet for this trail which is complete with directions, a map, details, and other information about this trail. Or to see quicksheets for other recreation areas across the Forest, click on the "Recreation Quicksheets" link in the right column and select the appropriate Ranger District.
How to Get There
Travel west on I-70 from Eagle for 13 miles to the Dotsero exit and follow the signs for Sweetwater/ Burns by turning north onto Colorado River Rd.Travel for 7 miles and turn left onto Sweetwater Creek Rd. and travel for another 11.5 miles until you reach the cabins for the Sweetwater Wilderness Ranch where parking is available.The trailhead is another 1/4 mile up a 4-wheel drive only road that leads to Hilltop Ranch, where there is also another small parking area. This is the Hilltop Trailhead several trails begin and then branch off.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to Sweetwater #1854
Heading to Sweetwater #1854? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Sweetwater #1854?
No central reservation system listed for Sweetwater #1854. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10068978) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Sweetwater #1854?
Travel west on I-70 from Eagle for 13 miles to the Dotsero exit and follow the signs for Sweetwater/ Burns by turning north onto Colorado River Rd.Travel for 7 miles and turn left onto Sweetwater Creek Rd. and travel for another 11.5 miles until you reach the cabins for the Sweetwater Wilderness Ranch where parking is available.The trailhead is another 1/4 mile up a 4-wheel drive only road that le…
References & Official Resources
