About King Mountain
The King Mountain SRMA is unique due to its remoteness and proximity to the Flat Tops Wilderness and its huge elk herd. Most of the routes within the SRMA are designated for foot and horse travel only, making it pristine and untouched by motorized vehicles. The area is prized by hunters for a remote backcountry hunting experience. Expect little trail maintenance, tough travel conditions, and beautiful scenery. This area includes approximately 12,000 acres of public land and is home to a variety of wildlife. The area is also open to outdoor recreation activities such as camping, hunting, wildlife viewing and hiking. The mountains vary in elevation ranging from 7,000 to 10,000 feet above sea level, and offer outstanding panoramas of the surrounding valleys and mountains. Vegetation includes sagebrush, pinyon-juniper and gamble oak in the lower elevations; with aspen, lodgepole pine and alpine meadows in the high country. Water is found in several perennial streams, ponds and springs, but may be scarce during dry years. For more information, please contact the Colorado River Valley Field Office.
How to Get There
Only the roads and trails highlighted here may be used by the public to access public land. Other roads into the area do not have legal public access. The following are directions to the various trailheads: Highway 131 Trailhead: Take I-70 to the Wolcott exit and travel north on highway 131 about 30.5 miles. There is a parking area on the left. King Creek Trailhead: Take I-70 to Wolcott and travel north on highway 131 toward Toponas. Just before Toponas at the old school house, turn left and go west on Routt County Road 5. Travel approximately 2 miles and make a left on Road 5A. Travel south on 5A about one mile to the parking area. Stifel Creek Trailhead: Take I-70 to Wolcott and travel north on highway 131 to the Colorado River Road (Eagle County Road 301). Turn left and travel west on the Colorado River Road about 6 miles to Antelope Creek Road on the right. Turn right and travel 1.5 miles to the unimproved parking area. Tepee Creek Trailhead: Take I-70 to the Wolcott exit and travel north on highway 131 to the Colorado River Road. Turn left and travel west on the Colorado River Road about 7.5 miles to Tepee Creek Road (BLM 8570). There is an unimproved parking area and a bulletin board available at the trailhead.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to King Mountain
Heading to King Mountain? 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 King Mountain?
No central reservation system listed for King Mountain. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/16548) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to King Mountain?
Only the roads and trails highlighted here may be used by the public to access public land. Other roads into the area do not have legal public access. The following are directions to the various trailheads: Highway 131 Trailhead: Take I-70 to the Wolcott exit and travel north on highway 131 about 30.5 miles. There is a parking area on the left. King Creek Trailhead: Take I-70 to Wolcott and travel…
How do I contact King Mountain?
You can reach the park at phone: (970) 876-9000 or email: BLM_CO_SI_CRVFO_Webmail@blm.gov.
References & Official Resources
