About this campground
The trail starts at the junction with Henderson Park trail and ends at the lake. Josephine Lake Trail climbs about 1,100 feet in elevation in just a little over one mile; until you get on the ridge at which time the trail drops down by the lake surrounded by 12,000+ foot peaks. The entire length of this hike; in at Henderson Park trailhead, up to Josephine Lake, out at Henderson Park trailhead; is 10.8 miles from start to finish - a tough one day, yet a beautiful backpack trip. There are great views of the Hunter-Fryingpan Wilderness to the south with the Elk Mountains off to the right and in the distance. You can also access this trail from Last Chance Creek trail. Wildflowers are in abundance in the meadow on the trails leading to Josephine Lake.
Getting there
From Carbondale travel east on Hwy 82 to Basalt. Turn left at the stoplight and travel 27 miles up the Fryingpan River Road. Turn left at road #501, travel one mile past Elk Wallow Campground and take the left fork one tenth of a mile to the trailhead on the left side of the roadway (difficult to see). It is marked as Henderson Park. The hike up the trail is strenuous at first but mellows out to the first meadow which is Henderson Park. Take the left fork for another mile to Coffeepot Park. Josephine Lake Trail is just a little further on your right.
Activities
- HORSEBACK RIDING
Nearby federal campgrounds
Explore more Colorado camping
Josephine Lake #1916 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.