Longs Peak is the queen of the Front Range, rising above everything else in Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s also one of the most serious 14ers that hikers attempt. The National Park Service says plainly that the Keyhole Route is a climb that requires scrambling, with narrow ledges, loose rock, and steep cliffs where an unroped fall would likely be fatal.
Longs isn’t the hardest 14er in Colorado, but it tends to catch people who underestimate it. The round trip is about 15 miles, the park says it takes 10 to 15 hours on average, and the weather turns fast. If you aren’t starting by about 3 a.m., you likely aren’t giving yourself enough time. I don’t recommend it as a first 14er. As of early October 2026, the park reports the season’s first snow and ice on the route, so it’s now a mountaineering climb until next summer.
These peaks can be unpredictable and dangerous. Help is often hours or days away: your safety is primarily your responsibility. Prepare for your trek, understand your limits, be aware of the risks, and equip yourself with the necessary skills and gear.
The Keyhole Route follows a good trail about 6 miles to the Boulder Field and the Keyhole, a notch in the ridge. From there you’ll scramble around the upper mountain on ledges, up a steep gully, and across an exposed traverse, then climb a final slab to the summit. The park says the last 1.5 miles, from the Keyhole to the top, are by far the most difficult, exposed, and hazardous part of the route.
The Keyhole Route is a climb. It crosses narrow ledges, loose rock, and steep cliffs where a fall could be fatal, and snow and ice can show up any time of year. Be prepared, and be willing to turn around.
I recommend reading through this description and saving a screenshot on your phone to review on the mountain.
Start up the East Longs Peak Trail from the ranger station. After about half a mile, stay left at a signed junction. The trail climbs steadily through forest past Goblins Forest and crosses Alpine Brook on a log bridge. You’ll reach treeline near 11,000 feet, about 2.5 miles in, and get your first good look at Longs.
Keep hiking along Mills Moraine to the Chasm Lake trail junction at about 11,550 feet. Turn right and traverse the slopes of Mount Lady Washington to Granite Pass. Stay left at the junction there.
A series of switchbacks brings you to the Boulder Field, a wide basin of big boulders below the peak’s north face. The maintained trail ends here. There’s a privy and a handful of permit-only wilderness campsites at about 12,760 feet. Past the campsites, the trail fades out around 12,800 feet, and you’ll follow cairns (small rock piles) up through the boulders to the Keyhole.
The Keyhole is a big notch in the ridge between Longs and Storm Peak, about 6 miles from the trailhead, with the small stone Agnes Vaille Shelter just below it. This is where the hike ends and the climb starts, and it’s a natural spot to regroup. Take a hard look at your group, your energy, and the weather here, because wind and clouds on the far side are often hidden until you’ve stepped through.
Past the Keyhole, look for the first red-and-yellow bull’s-eye painted on the rock. These markers show the best route all the way to the summit. Scramble south across a series of narrow ledges above Glacier Gorge, including a tight, slot-like section with two iron bars drilled into the rock. Partway across, the route climbs a bit and then drops. Note the spot where the Ledges meet the Trough, since people have trouble finding it on the way down.
The Trough is a broad gully that climbs about 600 feet. It’s full of loose rock, so watch for climbers above you and don’t knock rocks onto anyone below. Stay near the middle and keep searching for the bull’s-eyes. At the top, a short, steep section of about 30 feet is the crux (the hardest move) for many climbers.
Next, the Narrows cross the south side of Longs on an exposed ledge above a sheer face. Don’t let faster climbers rush you here. Boulders and handholds help along the way, but this section needs steady focus and slow, deliberate moves.
The Homestretch is a steep, polished granite slab that climbs the final 300 feet or so. Follow the cracks and the bull’s-eyes, using your hands and feet. It’s fairly straightforward when it’s dry, but it can hold ice and snow even in summer. The summit is broad and flat. Have a snack, and remember that you’re only halfway done.
Retrace your route carefully. The park says most accidents on the Keyhole Route happen on the way down, and afternoon storms make the descent harder and slower. If you lose the bull’s-eyes, don’t take a shortcut. Go back to the last marker you saw and find the route from there.
This CalTopo map shows the Keyhole Route from the trailhead to the summit, and the elevation profile below shows where the climb gets steep. Save a link to the map on your phone and carry a paper backup in case your phone dies. Click “Open in CalTopo” to view it full screen with more map layers. Above the Keyhole, though, the park warns not to rely on GPS to show you the route. The painted bull’s-eyes are your best guide there. For a detailed route line and photos, see the 14ers.com Keyhole Route page.
These photos follow the Keyhole Route from the forest and the Boulder Field through the Keyhole, the Ledges, the Trough, the Narrows, and the Homestretch. I strongly recommend saving a few to your phone to check on the climb.
Longs is known for wild weather, including hurricane-force winds and snow in any month. Conditions can change the difficulty of the Keyhole Route completely, so check these before you go:
Back from a climb? Post a conditions report on 14ers.com. It helps the next person plan.
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The park advises starting no later than 3 a.m. so you’re off the summit early. Much of the route is above treeline, and in June, July, and August, thunderstorms and lightning often build by late morning or early afternoon. Up high, storms can bring hail, sleet, and snow, which turn the Ledges and Homestretch slick fast.
If the forecasts disagree, plan for the worse one. Read my lightning safety tips for 14ers before your trip.
The Longs Peak Trailhead sits at about 9,400 feet in the southeast corner of Rocky Mountain National Park, just west of Colorado 7. The road’s paved all the way, and the trailhead is open year-round.
Directions:
Parking: The lot’s large, but it’s often full before dawn on summer weekends. Plan to arrive in the middle of the night, or come on a weekday. Car camping and sleeping in your car aren’t allowed in the lot.
Entrance pass: You need a valid park entrance pass at Longs Peak 24 hours a day, even though there’s no staffed gate at the trailhead. A 1-day vehicle pass is $30 and a 7-day pass is $35. Non-US residents 16 and older pay an extra $100 per person unless they have an annual or America the Beautiful pass. The park doesn’t accept cash, so buy your pass ahead on Recreation.gov.
Timed entry: In 2026, the park required a timed entry reservation to enter between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. from May 22 through October 12, and that includes Longs Peak. Most climbers arrive long before 9 a.m. and don’t need one. If you’re arriving later, check the timed entry page.
Facilities: There are restrooms at the trailhead and a seasonal ranger station. There’s no water on the Keyhole Route, and the park recommends carrying at least 3 to 4 quarts.
Climbing any of Colorado’s high peaks requires careful preparation and the right gear to ensure safety and enjoyment. Here’s a comprehensive gear list for this climb:
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Here are some specific items I recommend bringing with you to tackle this route:
Check out my complete 14er packing list here to make sure you bring everything you need to succeed and stay safe.
The right map for this peak:
Peak-specific gear: A climbing helmet is recommended on this route, since rockfall is common in the Trough. Outside mid-July through mid-September, the park says microspikes, or crampons and an ice axe, may be needed on the upper mountain, and they’re no substitute for experience on icy rock. Bring a headlamp for the pre-dawn start, at least 3 to 4 quarts of water, and warm, waterproof layers for the Keyhole and above.
Camping near the trailhead the night before makes a 2 or 3 a.m. start much easier. There’s no dispersed camping anywhere in the park, so plan on a campground. Here are the closest options:
Camping on the mountain: The Boulderfield wilderness site has 9 designated campsites at about 12,760 feet, 6 miles from the trailhead, with a privy. You need a wilderness permit and a bear canister, and the sites are fully exposed to lightning and wind. See the Regulations tab for permit details, and my guide to camping in Rocky Mountain National Park for more options.
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Estes Park is the closest town with hotels, motels, cabins, restaurants, and gas, about 20 minutes north of the trailhead. Allenspark is a smaller community a few miles south on Colorado 7. From Boulder or Lyons, plan on roughly an hour.
Estes Park sits at about 7,500 feet, and a night or two there helps you adjust to the altitude before a long day on Longs. Book early for summer weekends. While you’re in town, check out my guide to Estes Park.
With more and more people visiting Colorado and heading outdoors with each passing season, it is more important than ever to recreate responsibly by using Leave No Trace practices on this peak. Here are the LNT 7 Principles and some relevant tips:
By following these principles, you can ensure your hiking and camping adventures are environmentally-conscious and preserve the natural beauty of the great outdoors for future adventurers.
Check out these 50+ Leave No Trace tips for more information and to learn more.
Longs is busy for such a serious climb. The park says it’s common to see hundreds of people on the route and the summit on a summer day. Stay on the trail through the tundra between treeline and the Boulder Field, where shortcuts scar the slopes for years.
Use the privy at the Boulder Field if you need it, and pack out everything else, including food scraps. Don’t feed the marmots and other animals that hang around the Boulder Field and the Keyhole, and stay at least 25 yards from wildlife. Campfires are prohibited at the Boulder Field, and overnight campers must carry a hard-sided bear canister.
There are more than 3,000 search and rescue missions in Colorado every year. Don’t become one of them!
Follow these tried-and-true practices to mitigate your risk on this climb and improve your odds of making it back to the trailhead safely.
By following these safety tips, you can significantly reduce the risks associated with a high peak like this one and have a more enjoyable and rewarding experience.
Learn more by reviewing my complete mountain safety guide.
Longs has one of the longest fatality records of any Colorado 14er. A November 2025 Denver Gazette report counted 67 deaths tied to Longs from 1915 to 2017 and more than 70 in all. Most are falls, and many happen high on the mountain. These are the lessons that keep repeating.
The park’s advice is simple: don’t climb alone, start early, stay on the bull’s-eyes, and turn around if you’re tired, sick, or the weather changes. Cell service is extremely unreliable, so carry a satellite messenger if you have one.
You don’t need a special permit to climb Longs Peak as a day trip. You do need:
Overnight trips: Any night in the park’s wilderness, including the Boulder Field, requires a wilderness permit. Summer reservations open March 1 on Recreation.gov, and the permit carries a $36 administrative fee from May 1 through October 31 ($10 in the off-season). You’ll pick up the permit and a dashboard tag in person at a park Wilderness Office, and you have to bring your hard-sided bear canister, because they won’t issue the permit without it. Camping is allowed only at designated sites. Read the wilderness backpacking page before you apply.
Other park rules that matter here:
See the park’s rules and regulations page for the full list, including current fire restrictions.
Longs Peak stands 14,259 feet tall by the LiDAR figure 14ers.com uses, and the Park Service uses the same number. Older maps list 14,255 feet. It’s the highest point in Rocky Mountain National Park and Boulder County, the park’s only 14er, and the northernmost 14er in the Rocky Mountains. You’ll also see it on the Colorado state quarter. Its neighbors include Mount Meeker, Mount Lady Washington, Storm Peak, and Pagoda Mountain.
The peak is named for Major Stephen H. Long, who led a government expedition along the Front Range in 1820. Long before that, the Arapaho called Longs Peak and Mount Meeker the “Two Guides,” because the pair served as landmarks across the region.
John Wesley Powell’s survey party made the first recorded ascent on August 23, 1868, by the south side. Addie Alexander became the first woman to summit in 1871. The east face is topped by the Diamond, a sheer wall of about 1,000 feet. The park kept it closed to climbing until 1960, when Dave Rearick and Bob Kamps made the first ascent.
The small stone hut near the Keyhole honors Agnes Vaille, who died in January 1925 after the first winter ascent of the east face. The Park Service built the first shelter in 1927, and her family rebuilt it in 1935. It’s on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s a landmark you’ll use to spot the Keyhole from the Boulder Field, and it can shelter you in an emergency, but it isn’t a place to plan a night.
Want more of the park? See my list of fun things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Longs Peak from around Rocky Mountain National Park and the Front Range, from sunrise on the Diamond to views from the plains.
Use these resources to keep planning your Longs Peak climb:
I don’t recommend it as a first 14er. The Keyhole Route is a long Class 3 climb with serious exposure, loose rock, and fast-changing weather. Build experience on Class 2 peaks and an easier Class 3 scramble first.
The park says the roughly 15-mile round trip takes 10 to 15 hours on average (14ers.com lists 14.5 miles). Plan to start no later than 3 a.m.
Day climbers don’t need a special permit, but you do need a park entrance pass. A timed entry reservation is only required if you enter between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. in summer (May 22 to October 12 in 2026). Overnight trips need a wilderness permit.
The Keyhole Route is a Class 3 scramble, so you’ll use your hands but won’t normally need a rope in summer conditions. Outside mid-July through mid-September it often has snow and ice, and the park says traction or crampons and an ice axe may be needed. Routes on the east face, like Kiener’s Route and the Diamond, are technical roped climbs.
The park says the route is most often free of snow and ice from mid-July through mid-September. Even then, check the conditions report, because snow and ice can show up any time.
Yes, with a wilderness permit and a bear canister. There are 9 designated sites at about 12,760 feet and a privy. Water from Boulder Brook must be treated, and campfires aren’t allowed.
No. Pets aren’t allowed on any trails in Rocky Mountain National Park.
No. Car camping isn’t allowed in the trailhead lot. Longs Peak Campground nearby is tent-only and first-come, first-served in summer.
Notice: The material presented in this route guide may not be comprehensive or precise and should not be solely relied upon when planning your climb. Inadequate experience, physical fitness, supplies, or equipment may result in injury or fatality.
The Next Summit and the author(s) of this hiking guide offer no guarantees, neither explicit nor implied, regarding the accuracy or dependability of the information provided.
By utilizing the information herein, you agree to indemnify and absolve The Next Summit and the hiking guide author(s) from any claims and demands against them, including any legal fees and expenses.
Alex Derr is an Eagle Scout, climber, and environmental policy expert located in Denver, Colorado. He created The Next Summit to help others stay safe exploring the mountains and advocate to preserve the peaks for the future. Follow him on Linkedin or Twitter or click here to contact him.
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