The Flat Tops is one of the largest designated Wilderness Areas in Colorado, with more than 370-square miles of wild country. No roads, no motors. Access here is by foot or horseback only.

Geologically, the Flat Tops is a bit of an oddity. Ancient volcanic events followed by periods of glacial activity left the area scoured with lakes, ponds and rivers. It belies Colorado’s typically arid, high-desert climate. In large part, this is what makes the Flat Tops such ideal habitat for wild trout – and a destination for adventure-seeking anglers.

Where the road ends, your Flat Tops adventures begin – literally. At the end of a long dirt road and nestled against the Wilderness boundary, Budge’s Wilderness Lodge welcomes anglers to experience horseback fly fishing adventures to some of Colorado’s most remote and productive wild trout waters.

The options here for anglers include nearly 20 miles of roadless river canyon along the South Fork of the White River, plus dozens of smaller creeks, and a variety of high alpine lakes on the Flat Tops Plateau. The river is home to native Colorado River cutthroat trout, rainbow trout and brook trout. On top of the plateau, lakes may contain cutthroat, brook trout or lake trout, depending on the specific location. There’s more water here than you could possibly see in a single trip.

The river and the wilderness boundary are just 200 yards from the deck of the lodge, making it the perfect place to unplug and settle in for a few days of fishing. Just a 5 hour drive from the Denver area, yet 40 miles from the nearest paved road, it’s a true escape to the wilderness.

Anglers can choose to stay in one of the historic log cabins at the main lodge, or strike off for a remote wilderness tent camp. Those fishing out of the main lodge will enjoy daily horseback rides into the wilderness, exploring new waters each day. Meanwhile, anglers fishing out of a remote wilderness camp will set out from their wall tent each day on foot, fishing remote stretches of the river, or one of the high alpine lakes.