What activities are available at Lake Isabelle?

Lake Isabelle offers Hiking, Dog Walking, Bird Watching, Walking, Snowshoeing.

What amenities does Lake Isabelle have?

Lake Isabelle has Vault Toilets, Parking, Unpaved Trail.

Where is Lake Isabelle located?

Lake Isabelle is located in Boulder County, Colorado.

Lake Isabelle

lake

Boulder County, Colorado

4.9(151 reviews)

About Lake Isabelle

Lake Isabelle sits at 10,872 feet in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, tucked beneath the rugged faces of Shoshoni Peak and the Continental Divide in Boulder County. Reaching the lake requires a 4.4-mile round-trip hike from the Long Lake Trailhead inside the Brainard Lake Recreation Area, with roughly 600 feet of elevation gain along a well-maintained trail. The turquoise alpine water framed by snowcapped cliffs draws hikers, photographers, and even couples who elope on its rocky shoreline near Nederland, Colorado.

Hiking to Lake Isabelle is the primary activity here, and the trail delivers nonstop scenery from the first steps along the Jean Lunning Trail. The path traces the glassy shore of Long Lake, passes through aromatic pine forests, and crosses several small waterfalls fed by glacier runoff before arriving at the alpine basin. The moderate difficulty makes this hike accessible for families with children as young as eight, though the high altitude above treeline can slow newcomers during the first half hour. Wildflower season in July and August fills the meadows with purple lupine and golden sunflowers, creating some of the most photographed landscapes along the Front Range.

Wildlife watching is a major draw at Lake Isabelle. Moose sightings are remarkably common along the trail and near the lakeshore, with multiple reviewers reporting groups of two to four moose on a single visit. Mink, marmots, and deer also frequent the area. Birding opportunities exist throughout the willow-lined wetlands near Long Lake. Dogs are welcome on the trail but must remain leashed due to the abundant wildlife.

Before driving to the Brainard Lake Recreation Area, visitors must secure a timed-entry reservation during the summer season from May through September, which costs fourteen dollars per vehicle. Without a reservation, the nearest available parking is the Brainard Lake winter lot, which adds roughly two extra miles each way to the hike. Cell phone service from Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile drops out well before the park entrance, so downloading trail maps and entry tickets beforehand is essential. Pit toilets are available at both the Brainard Lake and Long Lake trailheads, but no restrooms exist beyond that point.

Seasonal conditions shape the Lake Isabelle experience significantly. Summer weekdays offer the smallest crowds and best weather windows, though afternoon thunderstorms with hail can roll in quickly. Early June hikers should expect knee-deep snow patches and an almost nonexistent winter trail that demands navigation tools. Late August brings fewer mosquitoes and cooler temperatures, providing relief from ninety-degree days on the Front Range below. Ambitious hikers can extend beyond Lake Isabelle to reach the Isabelle Glacier or push over Pawnee Pass to summit Pawnee Peak, adding serious mileage and requiring strong fitness and altitude acclimatization for those advanced routes.

Reviews (10)

DORUK BOYNUKALIN

Where is white arabian

Jace Bowlin

You need reservations which is not stated on google maps. The lake is apparently drained. We told the lady at the front gate we drove 2 hours to see it and she said was extremely rude and told me that’s her problem. She also stated google maps shows reservations and she knows that for a fact (it does not). I’d recommend going somewhere else or at least choosing the lane without the Karen.

Greg Muller

A great hike. Very scenic. Our 8 year old enjoyed it. The Brainard parking was fully booked Fira while so we parked at Gateway Trailhead. It is a 3 mile hike from there to Brainard Lake. First time I’ve hiked 3 miles just to then start hiking!

Ariana Lucidonio

My first hike in Denver and I’m so glad it was here. Definitely recommend reserving a spot in Brainard Rec Area beforehand so you’re not too far from the lake. It’s about a 3.2 mile hike each way from there. The trails were beautifully maintained, in July there was still some snow melting so areas had a little bit of mud but nothing bad. We only had running sneakers and they were fine. The views of the lake once we got there were breathtaking. We sat up there for an hour taking it all in. It wasn’t overly crowded, can’t recommend this place enough.

Amir Nahavandi

**5/5 Stars - Lake Isabelle via Long Lake Trailhead, Indian Peaks Wilderness, CO 80466** Last summer, I hiked to Lake Isabelle in the Indian Peaks Wilderness near Nederland, CO 80466, and it was pure high-country magic! Starting from the Long Lake Trailhead in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area, this 4.4-mile round-trip with a gentle 600-foot elevation gain offers jaw-dropping scenery—perfect for a clear summer day when afternoon storms hold off. Pro tip: Even with the recently implemented summer reservation system, this place gets extremely busy on summer weekends, so if you are able to go during the week, I would jump at that opportunity. **The Parking Adventure** I’ll admit, I dropped the ball on securing a summer parking reservation for the Long Lake Trailhead. Arriving at the Brainard Lake winter lot at 5:00 AM, luck was on my side—I hitched a ride with the first group of reservation holders to the trailhead and scored another lift back later. Pro tip: Book that reservation ahead of time (May-Sept, $14 fee) to skip the hassle. Otherwise, park at the winter lot and tack on an extra 2 miles each way by foot or chance a hitch. **The Hike** The journey begins on the Jean Lunning Trail, tracing the glassy shores of Long Lake. Snow-dusted giants like Navajo and Apache Peaks rise in the distance, their reflections dancing in the water. I spotted TWO;(!) moose nibbling willows near the lake’s edge—antlers peeking through the brush— even though I've seen plenty of them in the wild here in Colorado and Wyoming, they never cease to amaze me. The trail then climbs gently through aromatic pine forests, sunlight filtering through the canopy, until you reach Lake Isabelle at 10,872 feet. And WOW—this place is unreal! Turquoise waters gleam against rugged cliffs, with Shoshoni Peak standing watch overhead. Yet ANOTHER lone moose grazed by the shore, while late-summer wildflowers—purple lupine and golden sunflowers—dotted the path with vibrant color. **Bucket-List Plans** I’m itching to return and push beyond Lake Isabelle to explore the Isabelle Glacier, nestled higher in that wild basin—maybe this summer. As a side note, I extended my day by continuing to Pawnee Pass and summiting Pawnee Peak—an epic day trip adventure in its own right. Check out my separate reviews for those experiences - but please know this is requires significantly more fitness, high altitude acclimation, and long distance hiking experience. **Practical Info** - **Parking:** Long Lake Trailhead requires a summer reservation (May-Sept, $14). No reservation? Winter lot it is—add 2 miles each way. - **Dogs:** Welcome but must be leashed—wildlife abounds! - **Bathrooms:** Pit toilets at the trailhead; none beyond. **Final Take** Lake Isabelle is a high-country gem—stunning, serene, and just challenging enough to feel rewarding. Start early, bring water, and let the landscape consume you!

Andrea Van Someren

I’m honestly not a hiker, but even if you don’t hike this is one of the best for views along the entire way. If you take lots of breaks most anyone can do it.

Phyllis Rostykus

We took the longer way up, from the Lake Brainard parking lot up through the trails to Lake Isabelle. The trails are really well maintained, the waterways, even with the low, fall levels, were beautiful, and the views, wild flowers, and lack of bugs in late August was fantastic. It was a wonderful, cool break from the 90's down in the Front Range. The whole hike was a lovely day hike, and we had lunch by Lake Isabelle, enjoying the views. The lake level is low as we haven't had much rain all summer, but beautiful nonetheless. There weren't moose, yet, but another hiker said that usually, later on, there are. I really did feel the altitude for the first half hour, as we were going up for a lot of the early part of the hike, but eventually, it got easier. There were pit toilets at each of the trailheads at both Lake Brainard and Long Lake. There isn't one up at Isabelle, but having the others was very handy. DO bring water with you.

Denycia Haley

Beautiful and peaceful hike. Saw a mink, a moose, and a marmot! Tons of wildflowers. Lovely waterfalls from the glacier runoff. Easy hike with gradual incline. Lots of cloud coverage on the day we went but still lovely. One of my favorite hikes in Colorado!

iBAK 3D

U need a reservation to enter and u need a phone to make that reservation and there’s no cell phone service for 60miles. So dont drive 2 hours just to turn around. As stupid as it gets in a democRAT controlled state this is what u get. Pathetic

Stephanie Forbes

What a beautiful lake at the top of an awesome hike! We saw 4 moose along the way. We couldn’t get the the glacier because we barely got to the lake due to a thunderstorm complete with hail. The pictures don’t do it justice! We can’t wait to go back!