Situated in the front range mountains west of Fort Collins, the Neota Wilderness is relatively small in size. It contains only around 9,900 acres and very few trails and roads are maintained within the wilderness. The Neota Wilderness was designated as a Wilderness Area by the United States Congress in 1980.
The wilderness is managed entirely by the Forest Service as it’s located in the Roosevelt and Routt National Forests. It’s bordered by several more notable wildernesses as well including the Comanche Peak Wilderness to the east, the Rawah Wilderness to the northwest, and the Rocky Mountain National Park Wilderness borders it to the south.
Activities
Elevations can rise pretty high in the Neota Wilderness. As such, ice and snow take a while to melt in the wilderness. To the southwest of the wilderness is the Iron Mountain which stands at over 12,000 feet. From its summit, one can view the three main drainages of the Neota Wilderness: the Trap, Corral, and Neota Creeks.
Near these bodies of water is a variety of abundant wildlife such as deer, elk, and even the occasional moose. Because the Neota Wilderness has so few maintained roads and trails, this area is not recommended for casual visitors. Hikers, campers, or climbers should have at least intermediate skills before attempting to explore the Neota Wilderness.
Still, the chance for peace and quiet in the Neota Wilderness would make the trip worthwhile.
Details
Nearby Towns:
Phone: 970-295-6600
Season: Year-round
Established: 1980
Management: USFS
Website: fs.usda.gov…
