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Boulder, Colorado

Nestled up against the Rocky Mountains, Boulder is an adventure-lover's paradise. You can find a myriad accessible hiking trails nearby in Chautauqua Park, or venture further afield into the Indian Peaks Wilderness for hiking and backpacking on the Continental Divide. Rocky Mountain National Park is just an hour away, with opportunities for hiking, climbing, fishing and more.

Top Spots in and near Boulder

  • Boulder, Colorado

    Wonderland Lake Trail

    5.0
    1.85 mi / 98 ft gain
    Wonderland Lake Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Boulder, Colorado.
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Foothills Trail to Wonderland Lake Loop Trail

    2.93 mi / 223 ft gain
    Foothills Trail to Wonderland Lake Loop Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Boulder, Colorado.
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Hogback Ridge Trail

    2.85 mi / 830 ft gain
    Hogback Ridge Trail is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Manitou Springs, Colorado.
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Hike the Eagle Sage Loop

    4.3
    3.75 mi / 205 ft gain
    This is a great trail if you are in the Boulder area and want something fairly easy or quick. This 3.75 loop can be hiked in about an hour and a half since it is fairly flat. The elevation gain is minimal. You start out at the Eagle Trailhead located west of the Boulder Reservoir.Start out at the...
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Mount Sanitas Loop & Settlers Park

    4.4
    3.83 mi / 1371 ft gain
    First off, these are two different hikes but both stem from the same parking lot and Settlers Park is a mere 5 minutes away from where you park so why not kill two birds with one stone? One of the more popular hikes in Boulder, Mount Sanitas is a 3 mile hike that quickly scales nearly 1,350 feet...
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Sunshine Lion's Lair Loop

    5.0
    5.05 mi / 1257 ft gain
    This is a mix of trails that will bring you on an easy loop to the peak of Mt Sanitas, but will keep you away from the usual crowds of the more well-known paths up. The hike is a clear path that brings you 5+ miles from around 5,500 ft in elevation to 6,800.  You'll start at the Centennial Trail...
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Mount Sanitas + Sunshine Canyon loop

    5.03 mi / 1257 ft gain
    This loop takes you up Sunshine Canyon, a milder and less crowded grade when compared to the popular Sanitas ridge. You'll head up the canyon for a bit before reaching the terminus of the canyon trail -- where you'll cross the road to pick up on the Lions Lair connector. Continue following this u...
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Red Rocks and Anemone Trail Loop

    1.26 mi / 459 ft gain
    Red Rocks and Anemone Trail Loop is a loop trail that provides a good opportunity to view wildlife located near Boulder, Colorado.
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Mount Sanitas Peak Trail

    2.57 mi / 1296 ft gain
    Explore the natural wonders of Boulder, Colorado, with the Mount Sanitas Peak Trail hike. This trail offers stunning vistas of the Rocky Mountain wilderness and Colorado's Front Range. This hike is just over 2.5 miles with about 1300 feet of elevation gain.  Parking and Access: Start your hik...
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Hike the Red Rocks Loop Trail

    3.7
    1 mi
    Parking is available on either Canyon or Sunshine Roads. During the weekends it tends to get crowded around sunset so plan accordingly. The entire trail is a loop and is a little over 1 mile in length so it doesn't take too long. The main feature is the massive red sand stone rocks that jut out o...
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Royal Arch Trail

    4.4
    3.32 mi / 1220 ft gain
    Royal Arch Trail climbs up Boulder's famous Chautauqua Park to an archway formed by sandstone rocks that tower over thirty feet high. Start at the Chautauqua Trail Station by the Ranger Station, and continue up Bluebell Road for 0.7 miles. You will then arrive at a more forested area, where you ...
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Hike to the 1st Flatiron

    4.6
    2.4 mi / 1422 ft gain
    Starting at the ever-popular and ever-populated Chautauqua Trailhead, take the main trail (a highway version of a dirt trail) straight towards the Flatirons. Continue going straight passed the Ski Jump trail to your right (0.2 mi.), then at a crossroads with the Bluebell-Baird trail (0.3 mi.) tur...
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Green Mountain via Chautauqua Park

    4.5
    5.24 mi / 2467 ft gain
    Starting from the popular Chautauqua Park trailhead, head west on the main trail to the first branch off onto a smaller trail that will take you toward Baseline Road. Follow this trail until it eventually connects with Gregory Canyon Trailhead—you can park at this trailhead if you wish, but miss ...
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Hike the Chautauqua Trail to the Ski Jump Trail

    5.0
    1.55 mi
    Beginning at the Chautauqua Trailhead, the Chautauqua Trail goes for 0.6 miles before connecting with the Bluebell-Baird Trail. From here it becomes a choose-your-own-adventure hike. For a short, simple hike you can do with people who aren't ready for lots of elevation gain, take a right and conn...
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Hike the Enchanted Mesa Trail

    4.0
    1.4 mi / 440 ft gain
    Start out on McClintock Trail for 0.7 miles (this particular stretch can get muddy), before switching over to Enchanted Mesa Trail. To add a scenic 0.4 miles to your hike, take the Quarry Loop by turning right at the stone cabin, then following the steps up to the quarry, where you can overlook t...
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Hike the Saddle Rock Trail

    5.0
    2.6 mi / 1500 ft gain
    You can either start the from the Gregory Canyon Trailhead or the main Chautauqua trail.  At the Chautauqua trailhead you will need to pay for parking on Saturdays and Sundays and at the Gregory Canyon Trailhead you will need to pay for parking if your car is not registered in Boulder. If you sta...
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Camping and Lodging in Boulder

Kelly Dahl
Rollinsville, Colorado

Kelly Dahl

Camp Dick
Lyons, Colorado

Camp Dick

Pawnee
Ward, Colorado

Pawnee

Olive Ridge
Allenspark, Colorado

Olive Ridge

Cold Springs
Black Hawk, Colorado

Cold Springs

Pickle Gulch
Black Hawk, Colorado

Pickle Gulch

Guides, Insights and Stories from Boulder

For A Time Like This - Backyard Wildlife Photography

For A Time Like This - Backyard Wildlife Photography

Brynn Schmidt

From Here to Anywhere: Rent an Adventure Van from Boulder's A-Lodge

From Here to Anywhere: Rent an Adventure Van from Boulder's A-Lodge

The Outbound Collective

Fall is the Right Time to Visit Boulder

Fall is the Right Time to Visit Boulder

The Outbound Collective

Rediscovering One of the Best Areas to Hike Near Boulder, Colorado

Rediscovering One of the Best Areas to Hike Near Boulder, Colorado

Kyle Reader

Find Your Home at the Boulder A-Lodge This Summer

Find Your Home at the Boulder A-Lodge This Summer

The Outbound Collective

5 Short Hikes in Boulder, Colorado

5 Short Hikes in Boulder, Colorado

Kyle Frost