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Where is a good place to camp before hiking Mount Lindsey? Is there camping at the base?

There are places to pitch a tent along the road, just before the trailhead.

Great thank you

And if you wamt to backpack there are plenty of places along the trail before the lily lake split. There's a few spots you could camp in the upper basin around 12k. Water is currently flowing but that will stopnas the snow up there melts. The last reliable water is the stream emergin from the base if the rock glacier, 11.5k iirc.

Thank you for the info. This will be my first 14er so trying to gather info about the area.

I really enjoyed the camping options out there. I car camped a bit down from the trailhead. Less traffic and people. I was all by my lonesome. As someone mentioned there's excellent camping with fantastic views in a large meadow shortly after the trailhead! Primo spot. I think Lindsey ranks as one of the most scenic hikes.

Has the camping changed since you have to sign a wavier now? I think its says no camping is allowed.

dfarrar2003 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 18, 2025 10:08 am Has the camping changed since you have to sign a wavier now? I think its says no camping is allowed.

I guess I wouldn't know. I camped before the waiver was implemented.

dfarrar2003 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 18, 2025 10:08 am Has the camping changed since you have to sign a wavier now? I think its says no camping is allowed.

That's my understanding, as well. As soon as you cross the boundary from National Forest onto the ranch's land, camping is a no-go. But I doubt this presents an issue; if I recall, the boundary isn't for quite a ways into the route. (Someone please correct me if I'm mistaken.)

MaryinColorado wrote: ↑Wed Jun 18, 2025 10:20 am

dfarrar2003 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 18, 2025 10:08 am Has the camping changed since you have to sign a wavier now? I think its says no camping is allowed.

That's my understanding, as well. As soon as you cross the boundary from National Forest onto the ranch's land, camping is a no-go.

Is that meadow on ranch land or in the National Forest? I remember thinking that area looked really nice for an overnighter when I did Lindsey and I've been meaning to go back.

The private portion of the route up Lindsey doesn't start until you crest the ridge around 13k, from the trailhead to that point is all forest service land, with a brief swing into Wilderness. So the only restrictions that apply to that point are the normal FS and Wilderness regs.

Chicago Transplant wrote: ↑Wed Jun 18, 2025 11:08 am The private portion of the route up Lindsey doesn't start until you crest the ridge around 13k, from the trailhead to that point is all forest service land, with a brief swing into Wilderness. So the only restrictions that apply to that point are the normal FS and Wilderness regs.

that's great info, thank you