Recreation area

Carbonate Creek #1971

Colorado — managed by USDA Forest Service

Open recreation area — no reservation needed

About this campground

ALERT: Due to recent bear activity, bear canisters are required for all backpackers in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. The first 1 1/2 miles travels through private property to the stream crossing, so please stay on the trail. The trail gets steep after the stream crossing for a 1/2 mile, then moderate until just before the pass. At the crossing the trail makes a sharp turn to right and goes uphill before a second, smaller stream. After the pass it is a steep descent to Arkansas Mtn. Trail. It is 7 miles to this junction. From here you can loop back along Arkansas Mtn. trail, which joins back into Carbonate about a mile after the trailhead. This trail also connects with the North Lost trail. This trail has various vegetaion at first and then mostly aspen and meadows with lots of wildflowers and spectacular views of the Raggeds Wilderness Area.

Getting there

Travel south on Hwy 133 for 25 miles past Carbondale to the Marble turnoff. Turn left onto County road 3, continue to the community of Marble and park behind the Beaver Lake Lodge at the trailhead.

Activities

  • HIKING

Nearby federal campgrounds

Explore more Colorado camping

Carbonate Creek #1971 doesn't take campsite reservations — but plenty of nearby Colorado campgrounds do, and we'll alert you the moment a sold-out site opens up.

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Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.