Mount Evans National Wilderness Area - near Idaho Springs, CO

Designated as a Wilderness Area in 1980 by the United States Congress, the Mount Evans Wilderness now spans over 70,000 acres of land. It’s managed by the U.S. Forest Service. The protection of this wilderness began long before the Wilderness Act was even passed. It was designated as the Abyss Lake Scenic Area under the U-Regulations Act.

Activities

The Mount Evans Wilderness features two fourteener mountains: Mount Blue Sky, which stands at 14,264 feet, and Mount Bierstadt at 14,060 feet. Both are great climbs for daring climbers and mountaineers. Wildlife is also abundant in the Mount Evans Wilderness. Visitors can find bighorn sheep, elk, and mountain goats roaming around the mountainsides.

Mount Evans Wilderness Mountain Goat — Mountain goat on Mt Blue Sky. Photo: Wally Gobetz

It should be noted, however, that the wilderness experiences heavy human use. The Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway and the closeness of the wilderness to major cities attract thousands of visitors into the wilderness per year. While the Mount Evans Wilderness may not feel as secluded as some national wilderness areas, it has a lot to offer when it comes to stunning expansive views on the front range.

There are several alpine lakes and alpine tundras around the wilderness. On top of this, there are gorgeous vistas and surroundings in the wilderness while hiking or camping.