5.0Hanging Lake Trail(2.206 reviews) - Trail is back open and worth it. Hiking Trails
Trail is back open. Beautiful trail. It's a hard trail but I as a 38 year old, out of shape, middle aged male not used to the altitude was able to accomplish it. Despite being passed on the trail by people 20-30 years older than me and young children it was worth the challenge. The trail is very rocky but jist about anyone can do it. Take lots of breaks, bring lots of water. I would recommend hiking earlier in the day as it's a bit cooler. It was well worth it.See more..
5.0Flatirons(1.126 reviews) - The Flatirons are Boulder's trademark Hiking Trails • Geologic Formations
It is hard to find a more stunning view than that of the Boulder Flatirons as you crest the hill of US-36 that drops into Boulder. The beauty increases during a blue sky sunrise with a fresh snowfall blanketing them. Don't ignore this - ever!See more..
5.0Manitou Springs Incline(848 reviews) - Challenge yourself with this crazy workout! Spent More than 3 hours Bodies of Water • Hiking Trails
So happy I got to experience this memorable hike up these 2768 railties! I’m a 52 year old, fit woman, who lives at altitude in NM, and I found this climb VERY challenging. It took me 1:17 to ascend just under a mile to the summit. Then about one hour to descend via the four mile trail. Some areas were a bit icy, so it might be wise to bring micro spikes if you got em. You need to make a (free but required) reservation during The Great Pause, as they are limiting the number of trekkers at any given hour, in order to keep people safe. Just Do It!!!See more..
We spent a few days hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park, and this was the best we encountered. The trail begins at Bear Lake and proceeds mostly at a moderate climb to Nymph Lake, then Dream Lake then Emerald Lake. Although it's not an easy trail by any means, we did see a lot of older and novice hikers taking it on, so any healthy individual should be able to complete the round trip even if you have to take a lot of rest stops. The scenery is well worth the effort, especially around Emerald Lake. As you trek along Dream Lake, look for cutthroat trout swimming along the shallow shoreline. The total distance is about 3 1/2 miles roundtrip, so I'd commit a half day to this adventure so you can take your time and enjoy the beauty. Bring lots of water! As for parking, do yourself a favor and just park at the Park and Ride. The busses are frequent and parking in a closer and smaller lot is almost impossible unless you get there really early.See more..
Great hikes close to town. We did the Horsetooth Falls Loop with 3 kids and a dog. Trails are leashed-dog friendly, a great alternative to Rocky Mountain National Park which is not dog friendly. 3 1/2 miles, slow leisurely pace with lots of stops to take in the scenery. Falls are about 1/3 of the way through. Nice little waterfall. Dont drink it! We saw lots of people drinking it which is a good way to get giardia. There's a stagnant pond above where the falls are coming from that you see if you continue the loop. Moderate difficulty hike with some steps and 600+ ft elevation gain. Took about 3.5 hours. Started at 8:30 am and had the falls to ourselves June 2nd, Thursday morning. Just 20 minutes from town, very convenient. Large groups started arriving around 10-11am. Highly recommend for families.See more..
4.5Animas River Trail(501 reviews) - Outstanding River Walk Hiking Trails
We used this path several times during our one week stay. It parallels Main St & can be easily accessed from the downtown area. Much of the path has river views. The path also has oversized public art. We were impressed with the areas cleanliness. We loved the artistic foot bridges that traverse the river. A portion of this walk is by a Botanical Garden. Most of the plants were blooming. The flowers were gorgeous. Best of all, they were labeled so I could learn their names.See more..
5.0Yankee Boy Basin(476 reviews) - God's Country for sure! Hiking Trails • Geologic Formations
Surrounded by several mountain peaks (Potosi Peak, Teakettle Mountain, Cirque Mountain, Stony Mountain, and Gilpin Mountain), Yankee Boy Basin is a popular scenic area visited by hikers, photographers, four-wheelers and nature lovers.See more..
4.5Roxborough State Park(439 reviews) - If you have extra time in Denver.... do not miss Monday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM State Parks • Hiking Trails • Geologic Formations
What a surprise; we were introduced to this State Park by another website and had the time to visit while we were in the Littleton (Denver) area. What A Treat !! If you have been to the Garden Of The Gods in Colorado Springs, this is equal to OR even better. We walked the 1.5-hour circle Fountain Valley loop trail; it was easy with a few inclines and rest stops. Most of it was in the sun ( not much shade), so take water and sunscreen. The price has gone up to $10, and cash is required as the CC machine is nonoperable. Enjoy.See more..
Our first time in Aspen. Beautiful time of the year to experience fall. You must make time to visit Maroon Lake when here. You do have to make a reservation to get on the bus where it drops you off to the park. You really can’t drive to it & recommended to take the bus. Do bring your own drinks & food. Once you’re in the park, no stores there selling anything. Bring your own bathroom toiletries. We’re not much of big hikers but do wear hiking shoes if you plan on hiking to Crater Lake! Do invest in a walking stick for the Crater Lake. Hike to Crater Lake takes about 1 hour & 20 min for people like us. You’ll want to give yourself some time for round trip. Last bus leaves at 5 pm and they don’t wait. No cell service or order Uber per bus drivers. We booked 12:45 bus ride & managed to walk around Maroon Lake & Crater Lake & got back by 4. If you don’t want to do lot of hiking, easy walk around the Maroon Lake is perfect. It is beautiful here now with fall colors. So glad we did it!See more..
St. Mary's Glacier is stunning snowfield just outside of Idaho Springs. The 1.5-mile round-trip to the glacier is one of the area's most popular hikes, moderately difficult with rocky terrain and reaching an altitude of 11,000 feet. Keep an eye out for a spur in the trail that leads to a lovely waterfall. If you enjoy the hike, you can keep going past the glacier. Aim to start your day early as it gets busy, particularly during the summer months—you’ll see many enthusiasts carrying skis and snowboards up to the glacier, where there is snow all year round. – TripadvisorSee more..
4.5Bear Lake Trailhead(390 reviews) - Beautiful- we walked on frozen Bear Lake Hiking Trails
This easy, half-mile hike will take you past beautiful alpine lakes and forests.See more..
The Yampa River Core Trail is a seven mile, non-motorized multi-use trail that follows the meandering Yampa River from Dougherty Road through downtown Steamboat Springs to Bear River Park. Groves of cottonwood trees, excellent fishing, scenic overlook benches, and lovely picnic spots make this trail a great place for a leisurely stroll or a commuter route through town. Additionally, there are many parks and playgrounds and more miles of trail that can be accessed off of the Core Trail.See more..
4.5Perimeter Trail(342 reviews) - Long but nice hike with great views Hiking Trails
Start early specially on hot days. We started about 8:30am and it got pretty hot towards the end of this 6 mile hike. You get to see the cascade falls and box canyon along this hike as well as the baby baths and yellow river. Miles 4 to 5 (if memory serves me correct) are not the most scenic as you walk up a large water ? Pipeline but the views before make it worth the trek. There is a sign that tells you to watch out for bears thankfully we did not see any just great viewsSee more..
I bike maybe 4 times a year and found it to be an absolute stunning ride from Aspen to Basalt. It was also very nice from Basalt to Carbondale. But Carbondale to Glenwood Springs is next to a noisy highway and not so great. If you're older or not looking for a big cardio workout I'd recommend biking the trail in the NW direction (Aspen to Glenwood Springs) because it's downhill for the most part and it's easy to drive to a park & ride, leave your car then whenever you want, have someone in your group grab one of the busses that run down Hwy 82 every 30 minutes back to the car. Busses have bike carriers & are free until July.See more..
4.5McCullough Gulch(315 reviews) - Wonderful Views & Achievable For Any Level Hiking Trails
Great hike with a little bit of everything. I would agree with the Moderate skill rating due to some narrow crossings over streams, medium rocks to traverse, and uneven footing on inclines in spots. Overall we saw children under 5yrs old and folks over 70yrs old along the way. The effort is worth it for the waterfall and lake at the summit! Highly recommend it. Took us 4hrs exactly parking 1/4 mile from the gate to do the hike to the first lake and back including stopping and eating lunch at the waterfall.See more..
4.5Booth Falls Trail(297 reviews) - Perfect family hike Hiking Trails
Six-mile hiking trail climbs 3,000 feet in elevation as it passes varied scenery including lakes, waterfalls and aspen forests.See more..
Beautiful cascade within steps of downtown. Don't overlook this awesome bit of natural beauty almost within the downtown corridor. We parked several blocks away on Main Street in Ouray but the walk was only a few minutes and immediately we were thrust into beautiful scenery. You can hike as little or much as you want (and some folks hiked up the side of the mountain to get close to the falls but it wasn't necessary for us to enjoy the view). Parking at the Falls area can be an issue so just park downtown.See more..
4.5Palmer Park(293 reviews) - Not very hidden gem Monday: 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM Hiking Trails
We were surprised to find such an expansive park in what seems like the middle of the city! Lots of trails. I would recommend downloading AllTrails for this one - there is signage for the trails but no map and I think I’d have been super lost without the app. Would visit again!See more..
4.5Petroglyph Point Hike(275 reviews) - Three Mile Loop Hike with Petroglyphs and more Historic Sites • Hiking Trails
A flat 3-mile hiking trail in Mesa Verde National Park.See more..
4.5Crater Lake Trail(260 reviews) - Hidden Water Fall at Crater Lake. Bodies of Water • Hiking Trails
This easy, one-day hike from Maroon Lake is a great outing for the entire family.See more..
5.0Piedra River Trail(253 reviews) - Amazing views most beautiful hike I’ve been on Hiking Trails
So worth the drive! We were a little confused at first bc address on trip advisor takes you to an intersection if you ask it to guide you there. From that intersection you have to keep going for 20 minutes, your cell phone will lose service so that’s probably why it won’t pinpoint exact location. We were amazed by views on our way up trail and on trail. Just walked in about 1 mile bc we had kids. See more..
4.5Adams Falls Trail(251 reviews) - A Good Reason to See the West Side of the Park Hiking Trails
We entered the park through Grand Lake so this was the first thing we saw in the park. The trail is very short, not even a mile round trip and only 100 feet in elevation. However, that 100 feet was enough to great a beautiful rapids fall as water cascades from the mountain just before entering the lake. It is really pretty and be sure to see it from both the bottom and the top. For most sights in this park it is a lot of reward for minimal effort, good for kids and more senior members of your party.See more..
The Devil's Backbone is one of the most impressive and visible geologic landmarks. Decent hiking trail leading to the Keyhole, a mini arch. Hard and longer trails available. Not paved, lots of rock stairs. Can do hiking, running, horseback riding, mountain biking $10/vehicleSee more..
4.5Tunnel Drive(227 reviews) - Beautiful Walk by the Arkansas River Hiking Trails
I gave this a 5, because the hike/walk is worth it for my health and it got my husband moving! We did our walk around 10:00 a.m. and we felt the heat. We had plenty of water, a hat, tennis shoes and our Fitpro to check our steps (distance). The Arkansas River, the peacefulness and beautiful scenery made the walk worth every step. We took lots of pictures, sat at most the benches for 1 1/2 mile walk (2 miles original). We loved the bridge walkway, the tunnels, especially the dark tunnel (very cool during the heat), we waved at the riders on the the 9:15 a.m. train coming back through. This is a must see and do for the adventure.See more..
4.5Seven Bridges Trail(209 reviews) - Stairway to (a bit of Colorado) Heaven Hiking Trails
We didn't have to wait long for the shuttle bus, as they came on a regular basis; you pay for your tickets after being dropped off. As of August 2021 you have to wear masks on the shuttle but it is not enforced elsewhere. The staircase that goes up by the falls is a doozy and not for the faint of heart! Inspiration point is worth the climb. You can skip Midnight Falls and not miss too much.See more..
4.5Grottos Trail(147 reviews) - Interesting, easy hike—must do if vacationing in the Aspen area! Hiking Trails
We loved our visit to the Grotto’s area as a perfect stop along the way up to Independence Pass. We arrived in the parking lot at about 9am; by the time we left at 10:30am, the lot was full (TIP: plan to visit early!). The entry includes bathrooms and an information sign. You’ll find a short amount of hiking, some rock scrambling, a unique cave system, and a beautiful cascade of falling water. You can just walk the easy trail areas, and you also have access to scrambling/climbing if you want to go down into the cave and/or reach the edges of some of the falls (recommend sturdy shoes). This place is great for singles, couples, and families with plenty of photo opportunities. Highly recommended.See more..
4.5Lily Pad Lake(146 reviews) - Beautiful hike Hiking Trails
My family of seven did this hike on a late Monday afternoon in early August. There were a few parking spaces available of the 12 or so there....but we didn't use one because we were staying at a condo nearby and walked over. The hike has a long uphill gravel path to start, with the reward of a gorgeous view of Lake Dillon and the mountains at the top. Then there's a fairly easy hike through the woods, some ups and downs but nothing too difficult. Lots of rocks and roots in the path, so proper footwear is a must. We were fortunate enough to see a mother moose and calf just 15 yards off the path eating and generally ignoring the interested hikers. Very exciting! Lily Pad lake is beautiful and very unique....but don't miss the other lake just a few yards further! Gorgeous views. It was a great first-day-in-Colorado hike for our flatlander family still adapting to the altitude. See more..
4.5Canyon View Park(138 reviews) - Clean, well maintained and fun park! Monday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Points of Interest & Landmarks • Parks • Hiking Trails
Canyon View has a lot to offer the span from little ones to those in the golden years. We use the park for the playground, soccer games, and walks around the pond. We used the dog park for years until our dog could not follow direction and stole balls from fellow owners. The little park feels a bit large at times when parenting several kids. It's fine now that my kids are 3 and 5. However, when we go, my spouse and I end up taking 1 kid each and not seeing each other. I love that it's a clean environment. The facilities are well maintained. It's a great park in GV and I'm happy we have it as a resource.See more..
4.5Mount Sanitas Trail(128 reviews) - Lion’s Lair Trail - the perfect winter hike and the highlight of our trip! Spent 2-3 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas • Hiking Trails
I searched for weeks to find a hike I felt confident would be doable in the snow. Not too steep at all. We did our hike on February 24 and the weather was GORGEOUS. It is pretty windy though so I wore my scarf as a head wrap to protect my skin. A very short Uber ride from Boulder, there was no issue getting there once you find the starting point address (1929 Sunshine Canyon Drive). From there, the trail is very well defined and easy to follow and took us about 3 hours to get to the top and back down. Most important thing is to wear spikes! We bought some on Amazon for $25 that just hook onto your boots and they were more than sufficient. There was a lot of ice and mud but it was a very comfortable hike.See more..
4.5San Juan River Walk(125 reviews) - Beautiful, safe, refreshing, fun Spent 1-2 hours Hiking Trails
I'd been driving for 3 days. I was so tired but needed something to take me from road-weary to vacation-ready. This is such a tranquil place. Architectural features such as bridges and buildings blend aesthetically into the beautiful scenery. Walking paths are concrete if you want (beware of skateboards and bikes). The sounds of the bubbling water mixed with the laughter of people tubing, kayaking, fishing, swimming or just soaking. If you're lucky you can find an occasional spot where the thermal water is piped in for casual (and free) soaks. The wild animals are tame enough for wonderful photos. It's a great place to bring a lunch and just sit at the many tables. It's great for a 10 minute break or an entire day.See more..
5.0Last Dollar Road(124 reviews) - Wow!! What a view!! Hiking Trails
We decided to take Last Dollar from Telluride on our way Ouray! It’s bumpy but easy to navigate. Gorgeous views, but some scary spots where the road is narrow and there’s nothing but a drop off to your side! The end towards telluride is where you’ll encounter this portion. Middle of the road is thru the forest and feels pretty secure. Portion of the road towards Ridgeway was were you really saw the “rolling hills” & meadows and is the tame portion of the drive. I’m glad we went from Telluride bc it put us on the “inside” of the road for 90% of the “scary/scenic” portions! Definitely worth the time and a fun adventure (especially for a flat-lander!)!! See more..
4.5Beaver Lake Trail(123 reviews) - No words capture the beauty Hiking Trails
Moderate-to-difficult hiking trail that extends 6.6 miles from the Mitchell Lake Trailhead, beginning at 10,500 feet up to 11,300 feet elevation.See more..
4.5Jud Wiebe Trail(123 reviews) - Not so easy but WORTH it Hiking Trails
This trail really took me much energy and time but the view at the end of it was definitely worth it. We went there during sunset and view over Telluride valley was absolutely breathtaking! Paths to the top were narrow but gave me relaxing feeling to walk in between trees. I recommend you to make a stop at the top just like we did. You can sit there and overwatch Telluride and surrounding ski slopes with really nice scenery made by weather. Like my title says it's not the easiest hike so pack some snacks and drinks with you.See more..
4.5Poudre River Trail(116 reviews) - The Flatness of the Prairie: An Earth Poem Hiking Trails
My family hiked excerpts of the Trail 3 or 4 times while my daughter was in grad. school in Greeley, as recently as December 2019. While the romance of the front range and the grandeur of the Rockies is no more than an hour and a half away, the Poudre Trail has its own flat-land charm. There's romance in the flat prairie, its uninterrupted views stretching away to the ends of the horizon, coursed by the winding River. The trail is maintained exceptionally well and preserves views that must have been common to the western settlers who settled the prairie in the 19th century. The land drips of rural Americana--not majestic in scenery, but rustic and spell-binding.See more..
Nice hike! After 13 hours in the car, we needed movement and found this hike. It was a fun one. We went around 5pm and saw some wildlife (black tail deer and elk). The lookouts are nice and the castle ruins are neat to see. Worth venturing to experience.See more..
4.5Mesa Trail(107 reviews) - Six miles up hill and down. Hiking Trails
Extending six miles with a 440-foot gain in elevation, this trail from Boulder to Eldorado Springs is for ambitious hikers only.See more..
To get to Hanging Lake you have to take the Grizzly Creek rest stop exit 121 and turn around to go east on I70. I took this as an opportunity to stop and stretch our legs. It’s a nice rest stop. Shady, lots of parking. There’s a boat dock and we saw some rafters. A nice path to walk and explore. You can walk down to the river’s edge and watch the rafters coming downriver. Nice restroom with soda and snack machines in the building. Picnic tables to sit and enjoy a meal at. It was pretty shady so we weren’t burning from the sun. I recommend stopping here if you’re passing through to rest at. There’s lots of activities too - hiking, walking, biking and rafting.See more..
I've visited Devil's Head Fire Lookout every year. Since it's the last manned station on the front range you never know how long it will be around! The hike is short but steep so you do need to be in fairly good shape for the climb. Once at the top, there are 143 steps to climb to the actual tower. If you don't do well with heights, this may not be for you. The ranger there has been on duty for close to 40 years and is happy to educate you on the equipment, mountain ranges or anything else you ask. The hike is about 1.5 miles up and 900 feet elevation gain (excluding the steps). The drive along Rampart Range Road is long and can be washboard like but it's worth the drive. The views are amazing. See more..
4.5Bridal Veil hike(100 reviews) - Mom trips up the mountain; slips down Spent More than 3 hours Hiking Trails • Waterfalls
If you've hiked, you've probably hiked a Bridal Veil hike. There is one in Oregon, Idaho Springs, Yosemite, the Rocky Mountains...anywhere the falls splits into a filmy curtain. This hike is a struggle to climb. We made it 950 feet of the 1,368 before Mom, who is 58 but in excellent shape for a 58-year-old, could keep her footing. Actually going down the trail was slower than going up. The old bag could haul herself up the mountain, but had trouble not slipping on the way down. At one point, she was actually sliding down the mountain uncontrollably crying. Just embarrassing. "Good job" we told her. Sat her down until her legs stopped wobbling. She made it with only a scraped shin from walking into a tree.See more..
4.5High Dune Trail(99 reviews) - Great experience Spent 2-3 hours National Parks • Deserts • Hiking Trails
I gave this a 5 star review, because it was an incredible experience! I would recommend to go early in the morning before it gets too hot. The surface of the sand can get up to 104 degrees. Make sure to wear sneakers, NOT sandals. Bring lots of water and make sure to apply sunblock and wear a hat. There is a 1/2 mile walk from the parking lot to the bottom of the dunes in sand- can be strenuous. Enjoy- it’s worth it!!See more..
This breathtaking hike can be done in a day: 3.5 miles one way that takes hikers from 9,900 feet to over 12,200 feet, with many steep switchbacks, waterfalls and sweeping views along the way.See more..
4.5Lily Mountain Trail(90 reviews) - Panoramic vistas and no timed entry pass required Hiking Trails
We arrived in Estes Park a day early without a timed entry pass for RMNP for that day. The visitor center threw out some choices, one of which was Lily Mountain in Roosevelt National Forest, which did not require a pass. It did require some scrambling at the top but with my husband's help and taking our time, we were able to get there. The panoramic views are outstanding! I'm glad we did because we didn't get to summit Flattop mountain due to the weather and the fact we had trouble adjusting to the elevation and it made breathing harder. Lily Mountain is definitely a doable hike with breath-taking views!See more..
Spanning some 500 miles from Denver to Durango, this path crosses many different elevations and environments, including eight mountain ranges, seven national forests, six wilderness areas and five river systems, making it one of the most fascinating and scenic trails in the state.See more..
We really enjoyed this little trail. We went at the end of October so I’d imagine it’s even more beautiful in the peak of fall! I know many people say this trail is easy but that didn’t stop my husband and I from huffing and puffing trying to get up the elevation! We are from Missouri …mostly flat and we do workout but apparently not good enough! So if you’re like us take it from us it was a challenge! We seriously got lapped by an older gentleman and a woman carrying a baby on her back!!! A BABY! Like others said it’s pretty rocky so wear appropriate shoes. And the trail can be narrow in some places. The scenery is beautiful and the creek with the large boulders was like nothing I had ever seen before. It’s even more amazing in person definitely a must do in Aspen!See more..
4.5Devil's Backbone Open Space(77 reviews) - Hidden Gem hiking trail on way from Estes to Fort Collins Hiking Trails
Easy hiking trail with great views and unique rock formations. Had a separate trail for biking. Parking was $10. The signs encourage visitors to complete a loop that took us just over an hour. Saw many families with small children not bothering to complete the entire loop and I don't blame them, it was longer than I expected. There are much longer trails here for those who want to spend the day. There is no shade though.See more..
Can’t beat this trail for scenery and old mining history. The route is 11. 5 miles RT. You climb thru aspens w incredible views of 2 14ers, Turquoise lake and more. Then there are the old mines along the way, Baby Doe ‘s Matchless mine and more Best time to ride this is in the fall See more..
The is a good, moderately hard day hike. We found the trailhead just fine. The bathrooms at the trailhead were closed due to COVID, so prepare for that. The hike starts downhill and finishes uphill. Be ready to be out of breath and to have your heart pumping if you're not acclimated to the altitude. The first waterfall was at low flow--not a whole lot of water coming down, but a cool place to visit nonetheless. After the first waterfall, another good, hard 10-15 minutes up the trail brings you to the top of the 2nd waterfall. There are pools to soak in at this higher waterfall. The drop off at the top of the fall, which you have to climb down to, is a pretty scary several hundred feet.See more..
This was such an amazing hike to truly experience the Rocky Mountains. You have to start with the Spruce Creek Trail to connect to the lake and falls trails unless you have a 4 wheel drive vehicle. We parked here and started walking. The trail starts in the trees along the creek, but is still mostly uphill. Then it starts opening up more, but gets even steeper. You will walk right next to an awesome waterfall. After this you reach the lower lake. We took a break here as it is another steep hike to the upper lake. It is so peaceful at the top, so it is well worth it. The trails can get busy, but that was helpful to make sure we were going the right way. It was a very fun 6 hour hike where we got in probably 8 miles total.See more..
4.5Leadville National Fish Hatchery(73 reviews) - Fun feeding fish. Monday: 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM Nature & Wildlife Areas • Hiking Trails
I thought the historic fishery building was very interesting . Due to covid-19 we could not go inside. They had a pond outside of the regular settling pools where you can feed the trout. Since the sides were sloped the fish come right up to you and splash you when they went for the food. Then we opted to go on the Rocky Creek loop trail 2.4 MI. We kept following the signs that said Rocky Creek but somehow missed the loop. The terrain kept getting rougher and steeper. Usually a decent trail. Went through some marshy area. Went by some beautiful lakes and a side trip to the mountain stream. When we hit the Colorado trail we knew for certain we had gone too far. decided to finish out the Kearney Park trail. Over 8 mi for the day. Wished we had our walking sticks and more water. Never did see a sign saying Kearny Park.See more..
