Lion Lakes Trail

Lion Lakes Trail is the most ambitious hike in Staunton State Park, climbing 1,200 feet over six miles round-trip to a pair of alpine lakes that sit just inside the boundary of the Lost Creek Wilderness — one of Colorado's most remote designated wilderness areas. The trail ascends through dense spruce-fir forest and open rocky terrain typical of Colorado's subalpine zone, with the upper reaches crossing snowfields well into June most years.

The lakes themselves occupy glacier-carved cirques and are surrounded by dramatic granite and gneiss walls that rise sharply from the water. The setting is quintessentially alpine — stark, austere, and breathtakingly beautiful, with no development visible in any direction. Wildlife at this elevation includes pikas, marmots, and ptarmigan, and the lakes support native cutthroat trout. Afternoon thunderstorms are common throughout summer, so early starts are strongly advised. Leashed dogs are permitted on this trail. Staunton State Park is a relative newcomer in Colorado's state park system, opening in 2013, and its trails remain less crowded than comparable routes in nearby national forests. The park charges $10 per vehicle and the trailhead is accessible from the main park road.