About this campground
The Deer Lake Trail connects Island Lakes Trail #1842 to Chinese Wall Trail #1803. From Island Lakes Trail, Deer Lake Trail branches north and follows a bench that overlooks the Island Lake and Derby Creek drainages. After 2 miles, the trail becomes steep and narrow as it drops to down to Deer Lake; this section can be hazardous to pack strings. From Deer Lake, the trail climbs 1 mile to the Flat Tops plateau where it joins the Chinese Wall Trail.
Getting there
Access to the Deer Lake Trail is located 50 miles east of Meeker, CO. From Meeker, CO take Colorado Highway 13 east for 1 mile, then turn right (east) on Rio Blanco County Road 8 and follow this for 39 miles. Turn south on Trappers Lake Road #205, and travel 10 miles to the Outlet Trailhead. Follow the Arthur E. Carhart Trail #1815 around the east side of Trappers Lake to Trappers Lake Trail # 1816. Take Trappers Lake Trail #1816 for 4 miles to the head of Fraser Creek, where Island Lakes Trail #1842 begins. Follow Island Lakes Trail 2.5 miles to Deer Lake Trail #1802.
Activities
- HORSEBACK RIDING
- FISHING
- HUNTING
Nearby federal campgrounds
Explore more Colorado camping
Deer Lake #1802 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.
Browse Colorado camping →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.