South Colony Basin

For Coloradans who truly embrace the rugged beauty and challenge of the high country, South Colony Basin near Westcliffe stands as an iconic and revered destination. This isn't your typical roadside campground; it's a gateway to some of the most spectacular and demanding mountaineering and backpacking experiences in the state. Nestled deep within the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, surrounded by formidable 14,000-foot peaks (Fourteeners) like Crestone Peak, Crestone Needle, and Humboldt Peak, South Colony Basin offers an unparalleled opportunity for immersion in a pristine alpine environment. It’s a place for adventurers who are prepared for self-sufficiency and who seek the profound reward of reaching breathtaking summits and experiencing true wilderness.

South Colony Basin is celebrated for its dramatic landscapes, characterized by towering granite peaks, pristine alpine lakes, and expansive meadows. It serves as a crucial basecamp for climbers attempting the challenging routes on the Crestones, widely considered among Colorado's most technical Fourteeners. However, its allure extends beyond peak bagging; backpackers, hikers, and even those seeking remote fishing opportunities are drawn to its serene beauty and abundant recreational offerings. The basin's designation as part of the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness underscores its protected status, ensuring that visitors experience a place where human impact is minimized and natural processes dominate.

The essence of South Colony Basin lies in its raw, untamed character. This is a place where you'll find designated, private campsites with basic amenities like fire pits, but no developed facilities like running water, flush toilets, or paved roads. It demands preparation, respect for the environment, and a spirit of adventure. The reward, however, is immense: waking up to panoramic mountain vistas, observing bighorn sheep grazing in high meadows, and experiencing a profound sense of solitude and connection with nature that only true wilderness can provide.

For local Coloradans, South Colony Basin represents the pinnacle of backcountry exploration. It’s a testing ground for skills, a sanctuary for the soul, and a place where the state's natural grandeur is on full display. Despite its popularity, the basin’s vastness and challenging access help preserve its wild character, ensuring that those who make the journey are truly committed to the wilderness experience. It's an indispensable part of Colorado's high-altitude outdoor heritage, offering memories that last a lifetime.

South Colony Basin is located at S Colony Rd, Westcliffe, CO 81252, USA, deep within the Pike and San Isabel National Forests and the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness. Its remote location in Custer County places it in a highly scenic, mountainous region of Colorado, known for its dramatic peaks and rugged terrain.

Accessing South Colony Basin is a significant part of the adventure and requires careful planning. While the nearest town is Westcliffe, reaching the upper reaches of the basin, where many of the designated campsites are located, necessitates traversing a challenging road. There is a "lower 2WD trailhead" at approximately 8,800 feet, accessible by standard vehicles via County Road 120 (South Colony Road) after turning from Colfax Lane (County Road 119) off Highway 69 south of Westcliffe. From this point, a "rough stretch of road" continues upwards.

As multiple reviews and official sources confirm, to reach the "upper 4WD trailhead" (around 9,900 feet) and the main camping areas further up the basin, a high-clearance 4-wheel drive vehicle is strongly recommended, if not essential. This segment of the road is known for being extremely rocky, rutted, and challenging. Many visitors with lower-clearance vehicles, including some SUVs, choose to park at the lower 2WD trailhead and hike the additional 2.7 miles (each way) up the rough road to the upper trailhead and beyond. This adds a significant mileage to any trip into the basin, but ensures vehicle safety.

The road conditions can vary seasonally and with weather, with snow and ice common in shoulder seasons (fall and spring), and mud after heavy rains. Despite the challenging access, the reward is an unparalleled wilderness experience. For Coloradans, this means that while the basin offers incredible beauty, it's not a casual drive-up campsite. It demands preparation, appropriate vehicle choice, or a willingness to add considerable hiking mileage to the journey, ensuring that those who reach it are truly invested in the backcountry adventure.

South Colony Basin offers a primitive, dispersed camping experience within a designated wilderness area. As such, the "services offered" are minimal and focus on maintaining the natural environment while providing basic provisions for campers. Visitors should be prepared to be self-sufficient and practice Leave No Trace principles. Based on available public data, the following can be expected:

• Designated Dispersed Campsites: The basin provides numerous designated campsites, particularly at the South Colony Trailhead, along the closed section of the road, and in the upper basin near the lakes. These sites are "private and have built-in fire pits/grill grates," offering a more structured dispersed camping experience.
• Pit Toilets/Vault Toilets (at trailheads/lower areas): While not available at every single dispersed site, there are likely basic toilet facilities (such as vault toilets) at or near the main trailhead parking areas to manage human waste, though campers in the upper basin should be prepared for wilderness waste disposal (e.g., WAG bags).
• Parking Areas: Designated parking is available at both the lower 2WD trailhead and the upper 4WD trailhead.
• Trailhead Register: A register for hikers and campers to sign in and out, important for safety and tracking visitation within the wilderness area.
• Wilderness Ranger Presence: The Forest Service maintains a presence in the basin to provide information, ensure adherence to wilderness regulations, and assist with search and rescue efforts, contributing to a safer and more managed backcountry experience.
• Trail Maintenance: Ongoing efforts by the Forest Service and partner organizations like the Rocky Mountain Field Institute ensure that hiking and climbing routes within the basin are maintained for sustainability and safety.

It is crucial to note that there are no potable water sources, trash services, or other developed amenities like picnic tables (beyond the fire pit/grill grates at some sites), showers, or electricity directly at the campsites within the basin. All water must be filtered or treated, and all trash must be packed out. Campfires may be restricted, especially in the upper basin or during high fire danger, and campers should always check current fire restrictions.

South Colony Basin stands out with several compelling features and highlights that make it a premier destination for serious outdoor enthusiasts in Colorado:

• Access to Colorado 14ers: This is perhaps its most significant highlight. South Colony Basin serves as the primary basecamp for ascending some of Colorado's most iconic and challenging Fourteeners, including Crestone Peak, Crestone Needle, Humboldt Peak, and Broken Hand Peak. This makes it a mecca for mountaineers and peak baggers.
• Stunning Alpine Scenery: The basin offers breathtaking views of rugged granite peaks, pristine alpine lakes (Lower and Upper South Colony Lakes), and high-altitude meadows. Visitors consistently describe it as featuring "the most beautiful parts of Colorado," providing a visually spectacular backdrop for any adventure.
• True Wilderness Experience: As part of the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, the basin provides an authentic backcountry experience. While popular, the challenging access and dispersed camping format ensure a sense of wildness and solitude, allowing for a deep connection with nature.
• Challenging 4WD Road Access: For those with capable high-clearance 4WD vehicles, the challenging road to the upper trailhead is an adventure in itself. Navigating the "rough stretch of road" adds to the sense of accomplishment and filters out casual visitors, preserving the remote feel of the upper basin.
• Designated Private Campsites: Unlike completely random dispersed camping, South Colony Basin offers designated campsites that are "private and have built-in fire pits/grill grates." This provides a balance of structure and wilderness, making it easier to find a suitable and low-impact spot.
• Diverse Recreational Opportunities: Beyond 14er climbing, the basin offers excellent opportunities for backpacking, high-altitude hiking, fishing in the alpine lakes (which are stocked), and wildlife viewing, including bighorn sheep and other high-country fauna.
• Conservation Efforts: Ongoing restoration and trail-building efforts by organizations like the Rocky Mountain Field Institute ensure the sustainability of this heavily used area, allowing future generations of Coloradans to enjoy its pristine beauty.
• Unforgettable Views and Scrambles: As one reviewer aptly stated, "You'll never forget this place once you see it. Great hikes and fun scrambles in the area." The combination of challenging terrain and rewarding vistas creates truly memorable experiences.

For up-to-date information, trail conditions, wilderness regulations, and any necessary permits for South Colony Basin, it is essential to contact the managing authority, which is the U.S. Forest Service.

Address: S Colony Rd, Westcliffe, CO 81252, USA (This is the general area address. For specific trailhead parking and access, refer to detailed maps and current conditions.)

Phone: (719) 553-1400 (This number typically connects to the San Carlos Ranger District office of the Pike and San Isabel National Forests, which oversees South Colony Basin. This is the best contact for current conditions, road access, and wilderness guidelines.)

Mobile Phone: +1 719-553-1400

Website: For the most comprehensive and current information, including detailed maps, recreation alerts, fee proposals (if any), and wilderness regulations, always refer to the official U.S. Forest Service website for Pike-San Isabel National Forests and Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands, specifically the section on South Colony Basin.

Given the challenging nature of the access road and the wilderness environment, it is highly recommended to check recent trail reports, weather forecasts, and forest service advisories before planning a trip to South Colony Basin.

South Colony Basin is exceptionally suitable for Colorado locals who are serious about their outdoor pursuits and are seeking an authentic, challenging, and profoundly rewarding wilderness experience. For Coloradans, this isn't just a place to set up a tent; it's a rite of passage for mountaineers tackling iconic 14ers like the Crestones, and a premier destination for backpackers craving true alpine solitude. The challenging 4WD access, as highlighted by numerous users, acts as a natural filter, ensuring that those who reach the basin are truly prepared for its rugged beauty and committed to Leave No Trace principles. This creates a stronger sense of community among adventurers who share a passion for Colorado's high country. Locals appreciate the designated, private campsites with fire pits, offering a structured yet wild camping experience. The unparalleled scenery, from towering peaks to pristine alpine lakes, provides a constant reminder of why they live in Colorado. For those who prioritize self-sufficiency, breathtaking views, and the deep satisfaction of earning their solitude, South Colony Basin offers an quintessential Colorado adventure that fosters both personal growth and an enduring connection to the state's most magnificent landscapes.

South Colony Basin

S Colony Rd, Westcliffe, CO 81252, USA