Indian Peaks Large Group Day-Use Permit
Indian Peaks Wilderness · Colorado
A day-hiking permit for parties of 8 to 12 in Indian Peaks. One large group per backcountry zone per day. Groups of 7 or fewer need nothing.
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70% of the openings our scanner caught on Large Group Day Use were gone within 10 minutes.
Large Group Day Use reservation dates
- Season
- June 1 to September 15
- max group size
- 12people
How to get a Large Group Day Use permit
As of September 2026, Large Group Day Use in Indian Peaks Wilderness, Colorado requires a permit issued via reservation. Large Group Day Use rates 5/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. Cancelled Large Group Day Use permits are re-released on the booking system, and PermitSnag alerts you the moment one opens. The permit season for Large Group Day Use runs June 1 through September 15.
- Type
- Day Use
- Location
- Colorado Front Range, CO
Step 1: Create a Recreation.gov account
Sign up at Recreation.gov if you don't have an account. Have your payment info ready.
Step 2: Know the release schedule
Permits release on a rolling basis. Check the release time for your dates.
Step 3: Be ready when permits drop
Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.
Step 4: Monitor for cancellations
If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.
Large Group Day Use pro tips
- Only groups of 8 to 12 need this, and 7 or fewer walk in free
- One large group per zone per day, so pick your zone early
- This does not cover camping, so overnight groups need the Full Season permit
- Brainard Lake trailheads still need a separate timed-entry reservation
More on Large Group Day Use: Live availability activityWhen Large Group Day Use permits open up
How much a Large Group Day Use permit costs
Large Group Day Use permit fee: $11 ($6 Recreation.gov + $5 Forest Service).
The Large Group Day Use hike
About this permit
Indian Peaks meters large parties separately from everyone else, and this is the permit that does it. If you are day hiking with 8 to 12 people between June 1 and September 15, you need one. If your party is 7 or fewer, you need nothing at all.
The quota is one large group per backcountry zone per day. There are 17 zones, so on a July Saturday the whole wilderness can host 17 large day-hiking groups and no more. The permit costs $11 and you can print it starting seven days before your entry date.
It does not cover camping. Large groups planning to stay the night have to buy an overnight permit from the Full Season in Advance page, and that page is the only one that sells the Group divisions.
Large Group Day Use hike highlights
- One large-group slot per zone per day across 17 zones
- Printable through your Recreation.gov account seven days ahead
- Trailhead lots full by 6 a.m. on summer weekends
- Extra fees or reservations at Brainard Lake and Arapaho National Recreation Area trailheads
When to hike Large Group Day Use
Best time to visit
July and August for clear passes and long days. Group logistics get easier midweek, when both the single daily slot per zone and the trailhead parking are still available late in the morning.
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
Backcountry Tips
- Snow expected: Check current trail conditions before departing.
Today
45°
35°
25%
Wed
40°
32°
42%
Thu
51°
31°
29%
Fri
57°
30°
Sat
57°
33°
Sun
58°
32°
Mon
58°
33°
Large Group Day Use rules, gear and safety
Gear checklist
Required- Rain shell and warm layers for afternoon storms
- Water filter or treatment for any refill
- Map, since cell service ends at the trailhead
Recommended gear
- An early start to beat both the parking and the weather
- A split plan in case the zone you want is already taken for that day
Rules & regulations
- 01Required June 1 through September 15 for day-use parties of 8 to 12
- 02Group size capped at 12 people, or 12 people and pack stock combined, year-round
- 03Day use only, because camping needs a separate overnight permit
- 04Stay in the backcountry zones listed on the permit
- 05Pets must be on a hand-held leash at all times
- 06Campfires prohibited everywhere east of the Continental Divide
Hazards & considerations
- Afternoon lightning above treeline
- Altitude sickness in groups arriving from sea level that morning
- Snowfields on the passes into July
Safety & planning
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Large Group Day Use.
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Large Group Day Use · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides
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Large Group Day Use FAQ
Who needs the Indian Peaks large group day-use permit?
Day hikers in parties of 8 to 12. Recreation.gov is explicit: "This is the page for groups from 8-12 people who are not staying overnight to buy their day use permit. Groups of 1-7 people, or people and livestock combined do not need a day use permit." The permit is required June 1 through September 15.
How many large group day-use permits does each Indian Peaks zone get?
One. Recreation.gov: "Each Backcountry Zone allows for only one large group (8-12 people) per zone, per day." With 17 backcountry zones that is a small number of slots across a wilderness this busy, so book the zone you actually want rather than hoping to switch.
Does the day-use permit let my group camp in Indian Peaks?
No. Recreation.gov warns in capitals on the order page: "DO NOT PURCHASE THIS PERMIT IF YOUR LARGE GROUP INTENDS TO CAMP OVERNIGHT." A large group staying the night needs an overnight permit from the Full Season in Advance page, which is the only one carrying Group divisions.
Large Group Day Use trail conditions and trip reports
Trail Conditions
No active conditions reported
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Write the First ReportAlternatives to a Large Group Day Use permit
- Same AreaPermit required
Indian Peaks Full Season in Advance Permit
The overnight permit, and the only one selling the Group divisions a party of 8 to 12 needs to camp.
Tradeoffs
Goes on sale in one burst the first Tuesday in March, but covers the whole season.
Where to stay near Large Group Day Use
- Idlewild CampgroundArapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee NG
- Midland Group CampgroundArapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee NG
- Kelly Dahl campgroundArapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee NG
- All Colorado campgrounds
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