Guides/Overland routes/Colorado
Overland route82 midifficulty: moderate

Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway

RegionColoradoAgencyU.S. Forest Service, Colorado Department of TransportationLast verified—
Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway — overland route near Yampa, Colorado, Colorado
Lvaughn7 — CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Trail vitals6 facts
Length
82mi
Technical difficulty
Moderate
Direction
Point to point
Vehicle
High-clearance vehicle. The middle section is graded gravel and dirt; the outer ends are paved. Stock SUVs handle the route in dry conditions.
Best months
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Cell coverage
Drops out fast on the plateau; service in Yampa and Meeker.
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Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway is an 82-mile route between Yampa on CO-131 and Meeker on CO-13, crossing the Flat Tops Plateau on Medicine Bow-Routt and White River National Forests. The route is paved on both ends with a graded gravel and dirt middle section that climbs to over 10,000 feet across the volcanic plateau. The Flat Tops Wilderness, the second-largest wilderness in Colorado, sits south of the corridor.

The road closes seasonally with snow, typically from late October to mid-June, on the central plateau crossing. Most drivers run the byway in three to four hours, longer with stops at Trappers Lake or for a hike into the Wilderness. There are no technical obstacles; high-clearance vehicles handle the gravel section in dry conditions.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Seasonal closures. The central plateau crossing closes from late October through mid-June with snow.
  • High elevation. The plateau crosses over 10,000 feet. Watch for altitude effects.
  • Washboard. The gravel section corrugates badly in late summer.
  • Wildlife. Elk, deer, moose. Black bears in the lower drainages.
  • Limited services. No fuel between Yampa and Meeker.

Location

82 mi · Overland route

Approx. location 40.001, -107.287

Current conditions

Live weather

Trail facts

5 fields
AgencyU.S. Forest Service, Colorado Department of Transportation
Nearest townYampa, Colorado
Websitewww.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver
ClosedNov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
Approx. location40.001, -107.287

Getting there

Directions

From Yampa (east entrance). Take CO-131 to Yampa, then turn west on CR-7 / Flat Tops Trail.

From Meeker (west entrance). Take CO-13 to Meeker, then turn east on CR-8 / Flat Tops Trail.

Photos

1 photo

Photos · 1

Field notes

Getting Oriented

The byway runs east-west between Yampa, on CO-131 south of Steamboat Springs, and Meeker, on CO-13 east of Rangely. Medicine Bow-Routt's Yampa Ranger District covers the eastern half; White River's Blanco Ranger District covers the western. The Flat Tops Wilderness boundary parallels the corridor on the south side.

Trail Overview

Eighty-two miles, point-to-point. The road is paved from Yampa to roughly Yamcolo Reservoir and again on the western end into Meeker. The central forty-plus miles are graded gravel and dirt forest road, climbing to over 10,000 feet on the plateau crossing. There are no off-road obstacles; the surface is high-clearance gravel that washboards in late summer.

Points of Interest

  • Trappers Lake. A 313-acre alpine lake in the Flat Tops Wilderness boundary, considered the cradle of the wilderness movement (Arthur Carhart's 1919 protection recommendation here led to the Wilderness Act). USFS campground and trailhead.
  • Devils Causeway. Narrow rock arête in the Flat Tops Wilderness accessible from a trailhead off the byway. Route involves a short technical scramble.
  • Yamcolo Reservoir. Reservoir on the Bear River near Yampa with a developed FS campground.
  • Stillwater Reservoir. Eastern-side reservoir with FS campground and trailheads into the Flat Tops Wilderness.
  • Meeker. Western terminus town with the White River Museum and the historic Meeker Hotel.

Where to Camp

Multiple FS campgrounds along or near the corridor: Trappers Lake (Cutthroat, Trapline, Bucks, Shepherds Rim, Horsethief, North Fork), Stillwater, Bear Lake, Cold Springs, and Himes Peak. Dispersed camping is allowed on FS land off side roads with the standard 16-day stay limit. Yampa and Meeker have private campgrounds and motels.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • The central plateau closes from late October through mid-June with snow. Confirm with the Yampa Ranger District (970-638-4516) or Blanco Ranger District (970-878-4039).
  • Trappers Lake is the byway's signature stop. The Devils Causeway hike from there is a 10-mile loop; not for those uncomfortable with exposure.
  • Top off in Yampa or Meeker. There is no fuel on the byway.
  • The plateau washboards by late summer. Drop tire pressure if needed.
  • Watch for wildlife. The plateau has one of the larger elk herds in Colorado, plus moose in the willow flats.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway?
Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway is rated moderate. The route runs 82 miles.
What kind of vehicle do you need for Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway?
High-clearance vehicle. The middle section is graded gravel and dirt; the outer ends are paved. Stock SUVs handle the route in dry conditions.
When is the best time to visit Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway?
The best months are Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct. Avoid Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May.
Is there cell service at Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway?
Drops out fast on the plateau; service in Yampa and Meeker.