Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest · Colorado, Wyoming

Smith Lake

0.7 mi of trail, end to end · native material surface · trail No. 1194.1 · trail class 3 · typical grade 12-20% · tread 18-24 inches wide · hiking, bike

Trailhead Smith Lake Trailhead Drive there

Smith Lake Trailhead the Forest Service's write-up

Free

*Campers should come prepared with a variety of inspect repellant as the mosquitos are exceptionally thick this year.

This seasonal trail is generally not melted off until late June due to snow levels at this elevation.

This Trailhead serves as the access point for Smith Lake Trail #1194.

This 0.75 mile trail is good for all ages and hiking levels. The trail climbs through open meadows and dense stands of Spruce and Pine, passing a small pond and a second body of water (small reservoir) just before reaching Smith Lake. Smith Lake offers excellent fishing opportunities and great views of the surrounding Flat Tops. The lake is best accessed along the SE shoreline after crossing Smith Creek. This crossing may be hazardous during high spring runoff.

Please Note : Smith Lake is located in the Flat Tops Wilderness , Wilderness Regulations apply.

No camping is permitted within ¼ mile of Smith Lake . This is a day use area only.

Restrictions <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mbr/specialplaces/?cid=stelprdb5133586">Wilderness Information and Regulations</a>

This trailhead on fs.usda.gov

Every trail in Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest

All 375 trails in Medicine Bow-Routt National ForestFind a trailForest on fs.usda.gov

About this trail's facts

The lines are the US Forest Service's National Forest System trails layer (public domain), read 2026-10-16 and simplified for the map; the length is the line's, end to end, and the class, surface, grade and tread width are the forest's own entries where it publishes them - a forest that publishes the centreline alone has none. The trailheads and the points along the way are the Service's recreation points, and the write-ups its own recarea text, unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the forest's own site before you go.