Golden Banner

Introduction / Overview

For Colorado locals dedicated to experiencing the true essence of wilderness backpacking, Golden Banner offers a vital and strategically located stop within the magnificent Rocky Mountain National Park, near Estes Park. This isn't a campground for casual drive-up visits; Golden Banner is a designated wilderness campsite, catering specifically to self-sufficient adventurers on multi-day treks. It serves as a practical overnight point for those traversing the challenging yet rewarding trails connecting areas like Lawn Lake and Upper Chipmunk, providing a crucial opportunity to rest and recharge amidst the stunning high-alpine environment.

While some might find its facilities more primitive than developed campgrounds, Golden Banner's true value lies in its location and its role in facilitating extended backcountry journeys. It embodies the core principles of wilderness camping: minimal impact, self-reliance, and an intimate connection with nature. For Colorado residents who embrace the challenge and beauty of the Rockies' backcountry, Golden Banner is not just a campsite, but a key component of an unforgettable high-country adventure, allowing for deeper exploration and a profound sense of solitude.

Location and Accessibility

Golden Banner is situated within the iconic Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP), near Estes Park, CO 80517, USA. Its exact location is strategic for backpackers, often serving as an intermediate stop on longer treks, such as the route between Lawn Lake and Upper Chipmunk. This means access to Golden Banner is entirely on foot, requiring a dedicated hike into the park's wilderness.

As a designated wilderness site within RMNP, obtaining a wilderness permit is mandatory for overnight stays at Golden Banner. This process ensures that visitors are prepared for the backcountry environment and helps manage impact on the fragile ecosystem. Backpackers should plan their route carefully, accounting for the elevation, terrain, and weather conditions inherent to high-alpine environments. The trailhead leading to Golden Banner would typically originate from a RMNP entrance point, requiring park entry and potentially a timed entry permit during peak seasons. This location offers direct access to the expansive trail network of the national park, making it a critical point for those exploring the deeper wilderness.

Services Offered

As a primitive, designated wilderness campsite within Rocky Mountain National Park, Golden Banner provides very basic services, focusing on minimal impact and environmental preservation. Campers must be fully self-sufficient.

• Designated Campsites: Golden Banner offers specific, marked sites for camping, indicated by silver metal arrowheads. These designated areas help concentrate human impact and protect the surrounding fragile ecosystem.
• Open Air Toilets: The campsite features basic "open air toilets" (likely primitive pit toilets or a designated area for human waste disposal following Leave No Trace principles). Visitors should be prepared for rustic sanitation facilities and pack out all toilet paper.
• Water Access: While there is no potable water, the campsite offers access to natural water sources, likely a creek or stream. Campers must be equipped with a reliable water filter or purification system, as all water from natural sources needs to be treated before consumption. One review notes "best water access" at the first site encountered.
• No Fires: Campfires are strictly prohibited at Golden Banner and other wilderness sites within Rocky Mountain National Park. Campers must rely on portable stoves for all cooking needs. This regulation is crucial for preventing wildfires and protecting the wilderness.
• No Downed Trees for Firewood: Due to the no-fire policy, and the generally high-trafficked nature of wilderness routes, there are "less downed trees" available for any purpose, further emphasizing the need for portable stoves and leaving the environment undisturbed.
• Bear Canisters Required: For the safety of both visitors and wildlife, all food, trash, and scented items must be stored in approved hard-sided bear canisters. These canisters must be carried in by campers, as no bear lockers are provided at the individual wilderness sites. This is a mandatory requirement for overnight stays.
• Sandy Campsites: The campsites at Golden Banner are described as "pretty sandy." Campers should be prepared with appropriate tent stakes (like sand spikes) or methods to weigh down their tents with rocks to ensure stability in windy conditions.

Features / Highlights

• Strategic Backpacking Stop: Golden Banner's primary highlight is its ideal location as a stopover point for multi-day backpacking trips within Rocky Mountain National Park, particularly for those on longer treks between challenging areas like Lawn Lake and Upper Chipmunk. It offers a much-needed rest point.
• Proximity to Key Trails: The campsite provides direct access to significant RMNP trail systems, allowing backpackers to easily continue their journeys through the park's diverse and scenic landscapes.
• True Wilderness Experience: Being a designated wilderness site, Golden Banner offers an authentic backcountry experience, providing solitude, quiet, and an immersive connection with nature, far from developed areas and vehicle noise.
• Cool High-Elevation Environment: Located within RMNP, Golden Banner is at a high elevation, ensuring cooler temperatures that are often a welcome relief during summer months, perfect for strenuous hiking and comfortable sleeping.
• Essential Water Access: Despite being primitive, the presence of water access (though requiring filtration) is a crucial feature for backpackers, minimizing the amount of water that needs to be carried for the entire trip.
• Minimal Environmental Impact: The strict regulations (no fires, bear canister requirement, designated sites) ensure that the natural environment remains pristine, aligning with Leave No Trace principles and preserving the beauty of the park for future generations.
• Opportunity for Solitude: Compared to more popular, developed campgrounds, Golden Banner is often "very sparsely occupied," even on a Sunday afternoon, providing a sense of peace and quiet that is highly valued by backcountry enthusiasts.

Contact Information

Address: Estes Park, CO 80517, USA

As Golden Banner is a wilderness campsite, there is no direct phone number for the site itself. All inquiries regarding wilderness permits, regulations, and conditions for Rocky Mountain National Park backcountry camping should be directed to the National Park Service's wilderness office.

For Rocky Mountain National Park Wilderness Office (where permits are obtained):

Phone: (970) 586-1242 (This number is typically used for wilderness permit inquiries and general park information.)

Mobile Phone: +1 970-586-1242 (Same number, for clarity and international dialing)

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For Colorado locals who are seasoned backpackers and wilderness enthusiasts, Golden Banner offers a vital and deeply rewarding experience within the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park. It is precisely because it is a primitive, backcountry site that it holds such immense appeal for those who truly seek to immerse themselves in the state's iconic high country.

Its strategic location as an overnight stop on challenging multi-day treks, such as the route between Lawn Lake and Upper Chipmunk, makes it invaluable for locals planning extensive wilderness adventures. This is where you go when you want to push your limits, witness unparalleled natural beauty, and truly disconnect from the demands of modern life. The pristine environment, lack of crowds, and the enforcement of Leave No Trace principles ensure that the raw, untamed beauty of RMNP is preserved for all to enjoy.

While the requirements for self-sufficiency, including carrying all water and using bear canisters, may be demanding for some, they are part of the allure for Colorado residents accustomed to responsible backcountry travel. The satisfaction of navigating challenging terrain and resting in such a pristine environment, with the sounds of a nearby creek and the knowledge that you are truly in the wilderness, is unmatched. Golden Banner is more than just a place to sleep; it’s a critical component of a profound Rocky Mountain adventure, allowing locals to delve deeper into the wild heart of their home state.

Golden Banner

Estes Park, CO 80517, USA