Wheeler Geologic Area
Facility · Colorado ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Rio Grande National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 10,962 ft
- Elevation
Wheeler Geologic Area is part of the La Garita Wilderness, within this area you will find many trails, some nearby peaks over 13,000 ft and amazing views. Located near the old mining town of Creede, Wheeler is accessible by a 7 mile hike or a grueling 14 mile four wheel drive road. Your efforts are rewarded by views of a remarkable geologic formation of moderately coarse volcanic tuff eroded into many different shapes. Advice is to plan a whole day trip in order to travel into Wheeler, enjoy the formations, and then get back out. It is not a short, easy trip. ROAD IS EXTREMELY ROUGH WITH DEEP RUTS HIGH CLEARANCE JEEP OR ATV TRAVEL IS RECOMMENDED.
In addition to trail # 790, East Bellows Creek Trail, from Hansons Mill, # 789 Wason- Wheeler Trail from north of Creede there are several trails that either lead to Wheeler or from Wheeler on into the La Garita Wilderness. Check out the details for the following trails, 871, 912, 784, 783 and 888.
There is a lot of information available on the internet, the following are two good sites to visit: www.gorp.com/parks-guide/travel-ta-rio-grande-national-forest-colorado-sidwcmdev_066105.html and www.sangres.com/features/wheelergeologic.htm
At the end of the Wheeler Road #600 there are several dispersed campsites for the public to use. You are not allowed to camp or have campfires inside the area of the formations. Dispersed camping is allowed at Hansons Mill site located just south of the East Bellows Creek trailhead.
Getting there
37.87243, -106.78774 · 37°52'20.8"N 106°47'15.9"W
Typical weather
Typically 78°F in Jul, down to 37°F in Jan.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 37 | 42 | 50 | 56 | 65 | 75 | 78 | 76 | 70 | 61 | 49 | 38 |
| Low °F | 6 | 9 | 16 | 24 | 30 | 36 | 43 | 42 | 34 | 26 | 14 | 6 |
| Precip in | 1.0 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 1.7 | 0.8 | 1.9 | 2.6 | 1.9 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 0.6 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 7.6 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
Member photos
Common questions about Wheeler Geologic Area
- Can you reserve a site at Wheeler Geologic Area?
- No. Wheeler Geologic Area is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.
Camping near Wheeler Geologic Area
- Stone Cellar Guard Station 11.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Marshall Park 12.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Alder Guard Station 13.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- East Bellows Trailhead # 790 4.9 mi · Facility
- Hansen Mill Dispersed Camping 4.9 mi · Campground
- Bachelor Loop Interpretive Tour 7.5 mi · Facility
- Palisade Campground 8.5 mi · Campground
- Cathedral Campground 10.6 mi · Campground
- Pierce Elliott Trailhead # 851 12.5 mi · Facility
- Rio Grande Campground 14.4 mi · Campground
- Ivy Creek Trailhead # 805 17.5 mi · Facility
- Trout Trailhead #831 17.5 mi · Facility
Contact
- Info Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
Comments