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Wilderness areas

Buena Vista, Colorado · Gunnison County · Facility

With the passage of the Wilderness Act in 1964, Congress created the National Wilderness Preservation System. Wilderness areas are managed to preserve their natural conditions and wild character for present and future generations. They possess outstanding ecological, geological, scientific, educational, scenic, or hist…

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About Wilderness areas

With the passage of the Wilderness Act in 1964, Congress created the National Wilderness Preservation System. Wilderness areas are managed to preserve their natural conditions and wild character for present and future generations. They possess outstanding ecological, geological, scientific, educational, scenic, or historic values.Please view the special regulations associated with Wilderness and always use Leave No Trace techniques to help keep these areas wild, clean, and pristine.There are 8 Wildernesses within White River National Forest. These areas include:Collegiate Peaks WildernessEagles Nest WildernessFlat Tops WildernessHoly Cross WildernessHunter-Frying Pan WildernessMaroon Bells-Snowmass WildernessPtarmigan Peak WildernessRaggeds WildernessWilderness videos

Plan Your Visit to Wilderness areas

Heading to Wilderness areas? 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 Wilderness areas?

No central reservation system listed for Wilderness areas. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/259507) for the latest entry policy and availability.