Air Force Academy, Colorado
Looking for the best hiking in Air Force Academy? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Air Force Academy. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Hiking Spots in and near Air Force Academy
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Divide, Colorado
Hike to Raspberry Mountain
5.05.2 mi / 900 ft gainTake US-24 west and turn left at traffic light in Divide. Drive south on US-67 for about 4 miles. Turn left to CR-62 right after you pass the entrance to Mueller State park on the right. Drive about a mile on the dirt road and you will see the new trailhead parking lot on the left side.Once you p...Read more -
Manitou Springs, Colorado
Hike to Mt. Rosa
4.83.7 mi / 1322 ft gainTo get to the trailhead start on Old Stage Rd. After 11 miles turn right onto Forest Service Rd 379. This is a 4WD road. A small/large SUV, or truck should do the trick, nothing too crazy though. Drive on FS 379 for 1.5 miles until you come to an open field on the right known as Frosty Park. Ther...Read more -
Divide, Colorado
Hike to Brook Pond
4.04.74 miThis hike begins at the east side of the Visitor's Center parking lot. The Visitor's Center keeps a record of any recent wildlife sightings, so its a good idea to check in the building if your goal is to see some animals. Otherwise, head to the end of the parking lot and take trail #5 down the hi...Read more -
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Hike Cheyenne Mountain
16 mi / 3400 ft gainThis trail starts out of Limekiln Trailhead in Cheyenne Mountain State Park. This is a large, obvious trailhead with bathrooms and water. From the trailhead follow the Talon trails on flatter terrain for the first 3 or so miles until it starts to steepen and turns to Dixon trail. These first few ...Read more -
Cripple Creek, Colorado
Horsethief Falls and Pancake Rocks
4.87.31 mi / 1863.52 ft gainHorsethief Falls and Pancake Rocks can be found on the west side of Pikes Peak, so if you want to get away from the crowds and the city, put this trail on your to do list. Most of the trail runs through the forest, which makes this an excellent candidate for hiking in July and August when the su...Read more -
Divide, Colorado
Hike to Rock Pond
4.04.76 miThis hike begins at the east side of the Visitor's Center parking lot. The Visitor's Center keeps a record of any recent wildlife sightings, so its a good idea to check in the building if your goal is to see some animals. Otherwise, head to the end of the parking lot and take trail #5 down the hi...Read more -
Sedalia, Colorado
Devils Head Fire Lookout
4.82.83 mi / 810 ft gainThis is one of my favorite hikes near Denver and the lookout itself is over 100 years old! On the road to the trailhead there are many spots for camping and other activities. From Sedalia, CO head down Highway 67 for about 10 miles. Turn south onto Rampart Range Rd and continue for about 9.5 mil...Read more -
Teller County, Colorado
Backpack to the Abandoned Skagway Power Plant and Ghost Town
3.810 mi / 1000 ft gainConstruction of the Skagway Plant began in 1899 and was complete in 1901. In 1965, 15 days of rain brought floods washing out a lot of the pipeline and other infrastructure. Fixing the power plant didn’t make sense and funds weren’t in place. The land was reverted to the government. The hike b...Read more -
Franktown, Colorado
Canyon View Nature Trail, Castlewood Canyon
4.31.46 mi / 133.86 ft gainThis is a well maintained, easy trail best hiked in spring and fall. Conditions make this trail great for families. The park is also popular for bird watching and rock climbing.Read more -
Franktown, Colorado
Inner Canyon Trail
4.72.17 mi / 213 ft gainThe Inner Canyon Trail begins at the Canyon Point Parking Lot. There are a few trails that leave from this lot, so make sure you're following signs for "K." Right away, you'll descend down a few dozen stairs into the canyon itself. You'll quickly cross a bridge and be on your way. This trail is...Read more -
Franktown, Colorado
Lake Gulch & Inner Canyon Loop Trail
4.01.85 mi / 203 ft gainThis loop is a combination of two different trails - the Lake Gulch Trail (L) and the Inner Canyon Trail (K). Both of these trails leave from the Canyon Point Parking Lot, inside the east entrance to the park. I personally like the Inner Canyon Trail a lot more, so I like to start off from the ...Read more -
Franktown, Colorado
Hike the Creek Bottom Trail
5.04.1 miThe West Side of Castlewood Canyon is the more "rugged" side of the park, it has a dirt road, gravel parking lots, and only vault toilets. Luckily, this also means this is a less popular side of the park, making for less crowded trails and easier parking! Park at the first trailhead, for the Hom...Read more -
Franktown, Colorado
Hike the Rim Rock Trail
4.98 miThe West Side of Castlewood Canyon is the more "rugged" side of the park, it has a dirt road, gravel parking lots, and only vault toilets. Luckily, this also means this is a less popular side of the park, making for less crowded trails and easier parking! Park at the first trailhead, for the Hom...Read more -
Franktown, Colorado
Hike the Rim Rock / Creek Bottom Trail Loop
5.04.54 miThe West Side of Castlewood Canyon is the more "rugged" side of the park, it has a dirt road, gravel parking lots, and only vault toilets. Luckily, this also means this is a less popular side of the park, making for less crowded trails and easier parking! Park at the first trailhead, for the Hom...Read more -
Castle Rock, Colorado
Run the Challenge Hill
5.00.6 mi / 200 ft gainThe Basics: The Challenge Hill, or as I like to call it, the Mini-Incline, is a shrunken version of its big brother to the south in Manitou. However, don't let its relatively small 200 stair count fool you - this hill is a serious workout! Located in Philip S. Miller Park, just one minute off I-2...Read more -
Pine, Colorado
Fish Cheeseman Canyon
5.0Cheesman Canyon is considered one of the top fisheries in the world, and this stretch of the South Platte River is easily accessed at the Cheesman trailhead off CR 126 just Southwest of Deckers. There are tons of great fishing opportunities along this stretch of the river, but it does tend to ge...Read more