Beaver Pondsvia Ohio Pass
Beaver Ponds is an easy and delightful one mile stroll through tall aspen groves that leads to a pair of ponds. Beaver lodges and sometimes the residents themselves, can be seen at the trail's destination. The nearby Anthracite Range is reflected in the ponds on a calm day.
A scenic drive via Ohio Pass is part of the enjoyable experience getting to the trailhead. Time it in fall when the aspens along the road are golden and this becomes one of the best scenic drives and hikes the Crested Butte area has to offer.
At the Trailhead
Mostly Clear
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Trailhead Info
Good to Know
Under Control
Under control is the Forest Service rule on most trails in this district: your dog comes back on the first call, every time, including around wildlife, horses, and other dogs. If that is a maybe, it is a leash day. Rangers can and do write tickets for it.Avg 4G Cell Signal
The bars refer to cell tower connectivity. Calls, maps and photos all need one. Newer phones can now text (no calls) over satellite automatically without cell towers, depending on your provider. You typically need an open view of the sky for it to work.The Route
Highlights
Along the Trail
Trail Directions
This easy walk is a great choice in the fall, as it is entirely through aspen groves (4). The forest floor is covered with ferns and wildflowers in the warmer months as well. Follow the dirt trail all the way up to the ponds, where the view opens up to reveal mountains of the Anthracite Range (5). There are a number of short and less obvious trails around the ponds on the west side. This is also a great spot for picnics or camping, with many quiet sites to enjoy. You'll see a couple of domelike beaver homes called lodges, in the ponds (6), which are made of branches and mud. These can only be reached by underwater entrances.
Elevation Profile
Map and GPX
Take It With You
Cell service fades fast out here. Save the route before you lose the argument with your phone.
Free, and no account needed. Works in Gaia, CalTopo, onX, Garmin, and anything else that reads GPX.
Leave It Better
The locals have pitchforks. And camera phones.
And social media. Do not go viral.
Do Not Feed the Residents
The beavers here are not scenery, they are neighbors, and the lodges are their houses. Watch from the shore, keep dogs out of the water, and do not feed anything, including the chipmunks working the picnic spots. A beaver that learns people mean snacks stops being wild, and that ends badly for the beaver.
Mind the Shoreline
Bank vegetation holds the edge of an alpine lake together and it gives up under repeated boots. Launch and land where the ground is already bare, and keep lunch out of the willows.
Pack It All Out
Everything you carried in, plus the orange peel and the pistachio shells you assumed would rot. At this elevation they last years, and a marmot will find them long before they break down.
This trail and many others like it are maintained by the Crested Butte Conservation Corps. From picking up trash to trail maintenance to poop removal, they do it all and keep our backcountry pristine. Please help support them with a tax-deductible donation (501c3).
This Hike Is One of the 31
All 31 routes, walked and mapped by us. No battery, no bars, no problem.
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More Alpine Lakes
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Good Questions
How long is the Beaver Ponds hike?
About 1.1 miles round trip with roughly 190 feet of climbing, nearly all of it on the way in. Plan on an hour, more if you linger at the ponds, which is the point.
Is the Beaver Ponds trail good for kids?
Yes. It is one of the easiest destination hikes near Crested Butte: short, shaded, and with ponds, lodges, and ducks at the end to keep small legs moving. The Forest Service lists it as a good choice for families with young children.
Are dogs allowed on the Beaver Ponds trail?
Yes. The trail crosses into the West Elk Wilderness, so keep dogs under control, and keep them out of the water around the lodges.
Can you actually see beavers at Beaver Ponds?
Sometimes. The lodges are easy to spot from the shore, and the residents are most active around dawn and dusk. Go quietly, sit for a while, and give them room. Daytime visitors usually get lodges, ducks, and the Anthracite Range in the water.
When is the best time to hike Beaver Ponds?
Late September into early October, when the aspens along Ohio Pass Road and the trail turn gold. Ohio Pass Road is unpaved and closes with snow, so the hike is a mid-June through October outing.
Is there a fee, restroom, or water at the trailhead?
No fee, no restroom, and no water, and the lot holds only a few cars. Use a bathroom and fill your bottles in Crested Butte before the drive, If the lot is full, Swampy Pass to Viewpoint starts a short way down the same road and the Old South Park Railroad Grade is a flat option on the way back toward Kebler.
Can you camp at Beaver Ponds?
Yes. Dispersed camping is allowed in the West Elk Wilderness. Set up at least 200 feet from the ponds, and remember wilderness rules apply: no bikes, no drones, nothing with a motor.
