Lost Lake
Lost Lake is a popular, family-friendly alpine lake in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, reached by an approximately 4.2-mile round-trip hike from the Hessie Trailhead west of Nederland. It's free to hike, and a seasonal weekend shuttle solves the notoriously tight parking.
Outdoor Boulder › Destinations › Lost Lake
Lost Lake quick facts
- Distance
- About 4.2 miles round trip from the Hessie Trailhead, per Boulder County and the US Forest Service.
- Elevation gain
- The Forest Service does not publish an official figure. The trail climbs steadily but moderately alongside the creek, which is what makes it a manageable family day hike.
- Difficulty
- Family-friendly. It's a moderate walk on a well-traveled trail, not a rugged scramble, though it is at high elevation, so pace yourself.
- Access & parking
- Off Fourth of July Road (CR 111) west of Nederland. Parking is very limited and allowed only in designated spots between the signs; violators are fined $50 or towed. Use the free seasonal weekend shuttle instead.
- Shuttle
- The free Hessie Trailhead Shuttle runs weekends and holidays, roughly late May through mid-October. No passes, reservations, or fares. It's a short ride from Nederland to the trailhead.
- Dogs
- Allowed, but pets must be on a hand-held leash at all times (Indian Peaks Wilderness rule).
- Permits
- No permit for individual day hikers. Overnight backcountry camping requires a permit June 1 through September 15, at $5 per group, per trip. Organized groups need a permit for day hiking too (free).
- Fee
- Free to hike. There's no day-use entrance fee at the trailhead; the only charge is the $5 overnight camping permit.
- Best season
- July through September, once the high country melts out and the shuttle is running. Snow can linger into early summer and return in fall.
Lost Lake at a glance
Lost Lake is one of the most popular family hikes in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, and for good reason: a real alpine lake at the end of a manageable trail, reached from the Hessie Trailhead just west of Nederland. The Forest Service calls this trailhead extremely popular in the summer months, and the walk to Lost Lake is the shortest of the classic Hessie destinations, about 4.2 miles round trip. The route follows the creek up through the forest, so you get moving water most of the way and a still, tree-ringed lake as your turnaround.
The hike to Lost Lake
From the Hessie Trailhead, the trail heads west toward the Indian Peaks Wilderness boundary, climbing steadily but moderately alongside the creek. It's a well-traveled path rather than a rugged scramble, which is what makes it work for families and first-time alpine hikers. Remember that you're already at high elevation here, so even a moderate grade asks more of your lungs than the same trail would at sea level. Take your time, bring layers, and turn around with plenty of daylight to spare.
Parking and the free Hessie shuttle
Parking is the catch. Space along Fourth of July Road (CR 111) is very limited and allowed only in the designated spots between the signs; park outside them and you can be fined $50 or towed. Because the trailhead is so busy, Boulder County runs a free seasonal Hessie Trailhead Shuttle on weekends and holidays, roughly late May through mid-October. There are no passes, reservations, or fares, and it's a short ride from Nederland to the trailhead. On a summer weekend the shuttle is genuinely the easiest way in. In winter, access is typically from the town of Eldora instead.
Dogs on the trail
Dogs are welcome, with one firm rule: in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, pets must be on a hand-held leash at all times. That applies from the trailhead all the way to the lake, so plan to keep your dog leashed the whole hike. Pack water for them too; the creek is right there, but a leash and a plan beat improvising at 9,000-plus feet.
Permits and fees
For an individual day hike, you don't need a permit, and there's no entrance fee at the trailhead. The hike itself is free. If you want to stay overnight, backcountry camping requires a permit from June 1 through September 15, at $5 per group, per trip. Organized groups are the exception to the day-hike rule: they need a permit even for day hiking, though those day-hiking permits are free. Standard wilderness rules apply once you're inside the boundary, including no campfires and camping set back from water and the trail.
History near the lake
This corner of the Front Range was mining country, and the Hessie area takes its name from an old mining-era settlement. You'll still see weathered relics from that era scattered near the trail and the lake, quiet reminders that people were working this high valley long before it became a weekend hiking destination. Look, photograph, and leave everything where it lies; it's part of the protected landscape.
Best season and time to go
Aim for July through September, once the high country has melted out and the free shuttle is running on weekends. Snow can linger on the trail into early summer and return in the fall, so mid-summer is the most reliable window for a family outing. Start early: parking fills fast, afternoon thunderstorms are common in the Colorado high country, and you want to be off the exposed stretches before they roll in.
Nearby trails and guides
- Hessie Trailhead: the full rundown on parking, the shuttle, and every trail that starts here.
- Brainard Lake: another beloved alpine-lake area in the Indian Peaks, a little farther north.
- All hikes in Boulder: the full hiking hub, sorted by difficulty.
Recommended nearby
A few local spots we'd point a Lost Lake day toward.
[CLIENT SLOT: featured cafe in Nederland]
[One honest line: coffee or breakfast before the shuttle.]
[CLIENT SLOT: featured outfitter near Nederland]
[One honest line: last-minute layers, bear spray, or a map.]
[CLIENT SLOT: featured spot for after the hike]
[One honest line: where to eat on the way back down.]
Lost Lake FAQ
How long is the Lost Lake hike from the Hessie Trailhead?
It's about 4.2 miles round trip from the Hessie Trailhead, a figure published by both Boulder County and the US Forest Service. The trail follows the creek up to the lake and back, which makes it one of the more approachable alpine-lake hikes in the Indian Peaks Wilderness.
Do you need a permit to hike to Lost Lake?
No, not for an individual day hike. You only need a permit if you're camping overnight, which requires a backcountry permit from June 1 through September 15 at $5 per group, per trip. Organized groups need a permit even for day hiking, though day-hiking permits are free.
Where do you park for the Hessie Trailhead, and is there a shuttle?
Parking is very limited along Fourth of July Road (CR 111) and allowed only in designated spots between the signs; park outside them and you can be fined $50 or towed. Because the trailhead is so popular, Boulder County runs a free seasonal shuttle on weekends and holidays, roughly late May through mid-October, with no passes, reservations, or fares required. It's the easiest way in on a busy day.
Are dogs allowed at Lost Lake and the Hessie Trailhead?
Yes, dogs are allowed, but the Indian Peaks Wilderness rules require pets to be on a hand-held leash at all times. That applies the whole way, so plan to keep your dog leashed from the trailhead to the lake.
When is the best time to hike to Lost Lake?
July through September is the sweet spot, when the high country has melted out, wildflowers are up, and the free shuttle is running on weekends. Snow can linger on the trail into early summer and return in the fall, so mid-summer is the most reliable window for a family outing.
Sources
Facts on this page are drawn from these authoritative sources: