There are a number of routes for reaching the 14,421-foot summit. One can encounter snow on Colorado hiking trails all year round. Also be aware of the fact that visitors are charged $25 per vehicle, $20 per motorcycle, and $15 per person to enter the park. These geographical regions are subjective but will provide a good layout of hiking in the state. Once over your second pass, you get a bit of a respite on the, , which traverses a wide, high-altitude basin that is carpeted in wildflowers in season. From easygoing hikes in the many state and local parks within driving distance of major cities like Denver, Fort Collins, Boulder and Colorado Springs, to the hidden backcountry gems found in the remote wilderness and national forest areas, you have your pick of some of the best hiking in the Mountain West. Seven Bridges Trail, North Cheyenne Canon Park. Emerald Lake Trail 550 Hiking Trails By pamt464 North Cheyenne Canon is a very rugged hiking destination with access to gorgeous windy roads through the mountains. The beautiful scenery passes by a few small lakes and ponds before the final push to Ptarmigan Lake. Season: While it can be hiked all year round, the most popular time to hike is in the summer. Many hikes include short drives from the Denver metro area, or from tourist towns in the mountains. Hopefully, this provides a great introduction to some of the best places to hike in Colorado. This is by far the most photographed spot in Colorado. Quick rainstorms and thunderstorms are also not uncommon up in the high country. Around 2 miles in, the climbing begins in earnest, and the trail changes to a rock-filled talus slope. , a short loop off the main paved path that leads to the base of the Sleeping Giant rock formation. Please check the NPS website and All-Trails for conditions updates. These massive sand dunes rise out of the ground and lay low beneath the Rocky Mountains. Rapid weather changes can be expected on this high altitude trek. Once you catch your first glimpse, it's not hard to see why this is a highly trafficked hike. Share with Us. 35% percent of land in Colorado is public land or a whopping 23 million acres. Compared to the rest of the country, cell service in Colorado is not that great. Featuring hiking trails found throughout the state, theres a breathtaking hike virtually anywhere! Prepare properly for scrambling a Colorado 14er and understand the risks you are getting into. At just over 6 miles round-trip and located about a 90-minute drive from Denver, this peak is one of the more accessible 14ers in the state. The hike to, hits all the highlights in a fairly manageable distance, but the incline isnt easy, so come prepared for a leg-burning climb. Spanning 1.1 miles, the Perkins Central Garden . One of the best times to go is for the July wildflower bloom. The stairs are steep, and while there are railings the entire way, those who fear heights may choose to enjoy the view from the ground. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Photo Credit: SWKrullImaging (iStock). As with all above-treeline routes, start early to avoid afternoon thunderstorms and be sure to pack appropriately with food, water, sunscreen and extra layers. check out this blog https://longevity.media/top-10-reasons-why-we-need-to-experience-the-outdoors-more for 10 reasons why we need to be more outdoors that will get you motivated. Hiking water bottle for hydration 4. The family have visited 15 national parks and visited 16 states - collecting a magnet for everyone. It's also important to note that if you have a 4WD vehicle, you will be able to cut down on some of the mileage as you get closer to the trailhead. Therefore, hikers now have to pay $10 to enter 36 state parks in Colorado including Staunton, Roxborough, Golden Gate Canyon, and Saint Vrain. racist or sexually-oriented language. This is a great resource released by the Colorado Department of Natural Resources and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Known as a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts, Boulder could keep you occupied for weeks with its multitude of trails in close vicinity to downtown. jmangum2. Photo Credit: John Fowler OutThere Colorado. Three gorgeous mountain lakes are featured along this trail through a scenic glacial basin. Distance: 1.8 miles. Mount Falcon Castle Loop Trail is one of the most scenic hikes in Colorado. Distance: 3 milesElevation gain: 629 feetDifficulty: DifficultRed Tape and Local Tips: This isnt so much of a trail, as it is walking up a steep, squishy sand hill hence the difficulty. The 13.6-mile path winds beautifully through the high country of knee-high spring blooms with specular views of the Gothic Valley and Mount Crested Butte. You will be rewarded for your efforts with scenic views to the south toward the distinctive, slanted rock formations of Red Rocks. Star Dune is the largest of them all. Hiking has been a popular Colorado activity since the Colorado Trail was created in the 1970s. Windom Peak via Needle Creek Trail is a 17.8 mile moderately trafficked trail that gains roughly 5,879 feet in elevation and is only recommended for very experienced adventurers. Please be sure to visit the RMNP website for more information on the current permitting process for parking and entrance to the park. Headed back east, Great Sand Dunes National Park is one of the most unexpectedly beautiful places in Colorado. While you wont fully escape the traffic noise of the nearby highways, the park is still a pleasant and convenient getaway due to its proximity to Golden and the western suburbs of Denver. Living up to its namesake, this beautiful alpine lake hosts an array of skyscraping rock formations that seem to defy gravity. To get to the lakes, you'll climb 1.6 miles with an elevation gain of 1,062 feet. The hike to Royal Arch hits all the highlights in a fairly manageable distance, but the incline isnt easy, so come prepared for a leg-burning climb. Please follow these rules when visiting and remember, when you're exploring to leave absolutely no trace. Breathtaking is an appropriate way to describe the loop in many ways, as the route gains more than 7,300 feet and climbs above 12,000 feet at four different passesBuckskin, Trail Rider, Frigid Airand West Maroon. Best enjoyed in the summer and fall, hiking in the Sawatch should be on everyones to-do list. From the trailhead, the hike starts with an easy stroll on the Village Walk Trail, a flat, wide and easygoing path. Plan on resting more and drinking water often. Colorado is known for its snow-capped mountains and breathtaking landscapes. After passing by the Sleeping Giant, continue past the base of the Three Spires and Cathedral Spire. If you are searching for a first-time hike or are visiting the park for a single day, look no further than the hike to Emerald Lake. At 14,440 feet of elevation, this is the highest point in all of Colorado. up for the challenge, hiking to the bottom of the canyon is possible, but youll need to check in with the rangers at the visitor center first. In Boulder, Colorado, the Chautauqua walking trails offer a variety of beautiful day hikes in Colorado. Photo Credit: Breanna Sneeringer, OutThere Colorado. : Granby, CO, in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, 103 miles northwest of Denver, : A long day hike or an overnight backpacking trip, Located in the mountains west of Boulder, Indian Peaks Wilderness is a remarkable wilderness area with miles of pristine trails and many access points on both sides of the Continental Divide. A series of steep and rocky switchbacks will take you to the lake. See my guide to hiking Colorado 14ers for more info. Only about a 1-hour drive from downtown Denver. This hike turns into more of a technical adventure towards the summit, as it involves a 3rd class scramble. , a National Natural Landmark with preserved dinosaur tracks, to the east. The entire trail takes around 1 month to complete as a thru-hike. For a mellow introduction to hiking in the park, hit up the 4 iconic alpine lakes including the famous Emerald Lake along this famous hiking trail. The trail heads deeper into Tyndall Gorge until reaching Emerald Lake, which is tucked under the rocky summits of Hallett and Flattop. Pack a lunch or snack to enjoy at Emerald Lake before your return journey. Beautiful waterfalls seep into the brightly colored lake. The start of the trail is fairly well-packed singletrack. Trails throughout the park offerstunning views of Pikes Peak America's Mountain. Permits are required for an overnight. While you will have to watch your footing on the way back down, the views on the return hike are even more spectacular than on the way up. This area is known for its heavy winds. Most high alpine roads will open up in June each summer. Attempting this hike in the winter is a serious mountaineering undertaking and should not be done without any experience. Fall can quickly turn to winter in some areas of the state. Mount Elber is 14,440 feet tall, making it the highest point in the state. These favorite hikes boast a wide range of terrain, distance and difficulty to kickstart your Colorado adventure. The turquoise coloring is unlike anything else in the state. ! Back away slowly and be sure to keep a safe distance. There is also a shuttle service in the summer and fall seasons. Need 2 get out see the others ! Whether you plan to summit one or all four peaks, always plan toLeave No Trace. There are plenty of amazing hikes in Colorado, but this one will be very different. Really?? Note that from mid-June through September between 8:30am 5:00pm, a shuttle is required to take to the trailhead. Colorado has some of the most incredible hiking in the country. Altitude sickness is important to be aware of when hiking at higher elevations. Due to the popularity of the hike, you must have a permit to hike the trail between May and October. If hiking the loop counterclockwise, start on the Palmer Trail, which is best accessed from the Section 16 Trailhead on Gold Camp Road. Distance: 6.7 milesElevation gain: 764 feetDifficulty: ModerateRed Tape and Local Tips: dog-friendly. Be sure to arrive early to find a parking spot as space is limited and the trail is busy during the summer. Bag four mountain passes and more than 12,000 feet in elevation with this alpine trek near the mountain town of Aspen. From the trailhead, the hike starts with an easy stroll on the, , a flat, wide and easygoing path. Additionally, the road to the trailhead is closed seasonally, usually from December to April. It's also important to note that avalanche hazards also exist in the valley. Situated north of Red Rocks Park, Matthews/Winters Park offers a unique vantage point looking south toward Red Rocks. If you are looking for the quintessential Indian Peaks hike, the out-and-back to Crater Lake from Monarch Lake offers a great mix of scenery and terrain, as well as a stunning destination. Mayflower Gulch is a spectacular wildflower hike in Colorado. Tucked into the Sangre de Cristo Range, the Grand Sand Dunes are the tallest dunes on the continent, with heights up to 755 feet sitting below a scenic mountain backdrop. Open today: 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM. Photo Credit: krblokhin (iStock). Being on an exposed ridge top on a late summer day is one of the most dangerous places to be while hiking. Reaching the 11,780-foot lake begins from the Longs Peak Trailhead. 3. Its also an iconic beginner Colorado 14er so if you can, come early (start before 5 am to beat the crowds, 6 am to hike safely and avoid summer storm cycles). For the best photo ops though, hike along the 1.9-mile loop trail in fall and come just in time for sunrise to see the real magic of one of the best hikes in Colorado. On the west side, you will spot the famous Kissing Camels, and to the east, White Rock. This 27-mile loop is most commonly backpacked as a three- or four-night trip. 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