About this campground
Upper Cataract Lake is in the Eagles Nest Wilderness area in the Gore Range mountains. It is a beautiful lake that sits on the edge of tree line and has dramatic views of Eagles Nest Peak. The climb from the trailhead is steady and steep at times as it climbs through lodgepole pines, aspen groves and spruce/fir forests. * There is a printable Recreation Quicksheet for this trail which is complete with directions, a map, details, and other information about this trail. Or to see quicksheets for other recreation areas across the Forest, click on the "Recreation Quicksheets" link in the right column and select the appropriate Ranger District.
Getting there
From I-70 take Exit 205, Silverthorne/Dillon, and travel north on HWY 9. Travel 16 miles north on HWY 9. Just after mile marker 118 turn left onto Heeney Rd (County Road 30). Follow Heeney Road 5.3 miles and turn left onto Cataract Creek Road (FDR 1725). Continue for 2.5 miles to the Surprise Lake Trailhead parking area on the left which is past the Cataract Creek Campground.
Activities
- HORSE CAMPING
- FISHING
- HIKING
- HORSEBACK RIDING
Nearby federal campgrounds
- Lower Cataract Lake Loop #57Colorado2 mi
- Green Mountain/Heeney AreaWhite River National Forest4 mi
- Cow Creek North (CO)White River National Forest5 mi
- COW CREEK SOUTHWhite River National Forest5 mi
- Elliott Creek Campground (CO)White River National Forest5 mi
- Prairie Point Campground (CO)White River National Forest5 mi
Explore more Colorado camping
Upper Cataract Lake #63 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.