Devils Causeway Trail

The Devils Causeway is a natural walkway of rock a few feet wide with several hundred feet of drop on each side, joining two parts of the Flat Tops plateau at 11,800 feet above Stillwater Reservoir. The trail to it is 2.7 miles from the Stillwater trailhead south of Yampa with 1,500 feet of climbing; the listing's 10 miles reflects the loop most people make of it, across the plateau and down the Bear River trail. Plenty of people walk to the edge, look, and turn around.

From the Stillwater trailhead, the East Fork trail follows the shore of Stillwater Reservoir, then climbs through spruce to Little Causeway Lake at about 1.5 miles. Above the lake the trail switchbacks hard up the headwall to a saddle on the rim of the plateau at about 11,600 feet, with the whole Flat Tops country opening around it.

A short spur follows the rim north to the Causeway: roughly 3 feet wide at its narrowest for about 50 feet, no scrambling, and real exposure. The rock is solid and the walking is easy in calm weather; wind is what turns people back. Across it, the loop follows the Chinese Wall trail over the plateau, then drops down the Bear River trail past Mosquito Lake back to Stillwater for the 10-mile circuit. Out and back to the Causeway is about 6 miles.

From Yampa, on Colorado 131 south of Steamboat, take County Road 7 southwest 6.5 miles, following signs for Yamcolo and Stillwater Reservoir, to where the pavement ends and the road becomes Forest Road 900; continue another 10 miles to the Stillwater trailhead at the road's end, about 10,280 feet. Park only in designated spots; parking in the turnaround is prohibited. Starting in late August 2026, a dam project at Stillwater Reservoir has heavy equipment working around the trailhead and along the North Derby trail; the Forest Service says nothing is closed but asks hikers to watch for the machinery. The road is gravel and fine for passenger cars in summer. The lot fills by 8 AM on July and August weekends. No fee or permit for day hiking. Toilet at the trailhead, and Bear Lake campground is just below it.

Dogs must be leashed or under immediate voice control in the Flat Tops Wilderness; the Causeway is a bad place for a dog that pulls, and many owners stop at the saddle. Not a kid hike, though the walk to Little Causeway Lake is fine for anyone. Carry three liters or a filter for the loop; the lakes are the water. Do not cross the Causeway in wind or with ice on the rock. The trailhead is above 10,000 feet. Yampa has a gas station and a diner; Steamboat is an hour. The Flat Tops region page covers the Trappers Lake side.