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Boulder, Colorado

Looking for the best fishing in Boulder? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Boulder. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Fishing Spots in and near Boulder

  • Estes Park, Colorado

    Sprague Lake Loop

    5.0
    0.81 mi / 26 ft gain
    Located in Rocky Mountain National Park at an elevation of almost 8,700 feet, Sprague Lake offers visitors great views with very little effort required. It's a short 15 minute drive from Estes Park and hikers can take the short trail around the circumference of the lake. You'll find bathrooms and...
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  • Idaho Springs, Colorado

    Chinns Lake Trail

    4.0
    2.7 mi / 741 ft gain
    Chinns Lake Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Idaho Springs, Colorado.
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  • Idaho Springs, Colorado

    Explore Fall River Reservoir

    4.0
    1 mi / 144 ft gain
    This spot may be a little more difficult to reach than others, but the payoff is worth it. You'll start by taking a dirt road that splits off from Fall River Road. It is pretty easy going for the first mile or so, but then you'll want to make sure you have a little higher clearance 4x4 vehicle to...
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  • Estes Park, Colorado

    Black Lake Trail

    5.0
    9.17 mi / 1400 ft gain
    The Black lake hike begins at the very popular Glacier Gorge trailhead along Bear Lake road in Rocky Mountain National Park. During the summer and weekends, the park shuttle may be the best parking option as the lot is often full by 7am and can be difficult to find a spot throughout the day. Fr...
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  • Larimer County, Colorado

    Mills Lake via Glacier Gorge Trailhead

    4.8
    5.24 mi / 940 ft gain
    Start hiking at the Glacier Gorge Trailhead down the bear lake road in rocky mountain national park. The trailhead is very popular so it can be difficult to find a parking place at times. From Glacier Gorge, follow the obvious trail and signs towards mills lake. In the summer the trail will go p...
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  • Idaho Springs, Colorado

    Camp at Chinns Lake

    Take the road as if you are going to St. Mary's Glacier, but you will take a left off the road (next to a very nice house) before the road makes a sharp right turn to go up hill. The road is a smooth dirt road for about a mile, but gets very rocky after that and you will need a good off road vehi...
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  • Larimer County, Colorado

    Nymph, Dream, Emerald, and Haiyaha Lakes

    4.9
    4.51 mi
    From the Bear Lake Trailhead, the path to Nymph Lake is a moderate paved trail. At the lake there are several places to sit and take in the scenery. This is also where you'll find the most people. From here, continue up the trail towards Dream Lake. On the way, the trail forks. The left will take...
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  • Larimer County, Colorado

    Lake Helene and Two Rivers Lake

    5.0
    6.18 mi / 1230 ft gain
    Begin the hike by following the Bear Lake trail and after ~.45 miles take the trail to the right towards Odessa Lake and Flattop Mountain. Continue along the trail as it climbs above Bear Lake to the split with the Flattop Mountain trail at approximately 1 mile. The trail continues toward Odessa ...
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  • Larimer County, Colorado

    Lake Haiyaha

    5.0
    3.64 mi / 800 ft gain
    Begin the hike at the Bear Lake trailhead, this will be the same for any season you chose to hike to the lake. From the Bear Lake trailhead follow the Dream Lake trail for ~1.05 miles to just before Dream Lake itself. The trail is very easy to follow up to this point in all seasons. In winter the...
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  • Estes Park, Colorado

    Hike from Bear Lake to Fern Lake Trailhead

    5.0
    10 mi / 2100 ft gain
    On this Rocky Mountain hike you’ll explore 4 picturesque mountain lakes and a 60 foot waterfall. Completing this hike requires familiarizing yourself with Rocky Mountain National Park’s free shuttle system. Hikes along Bear Lake Road are some of the busiest in the park. Trailhead parking lots fi...
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  • Estes Park, Colorado

    Hike to Cub Lake

    5.0
    4.6 mi / 645 ft gain
    Rocky Mountain National Park showcases 355 miles of hiking trails, 6 campgrounds, and hundreds of backcountry camp sites. The cost to enter the park is $20.00 per vehicle, I recommend buying the annual National Parks Pass for $80.00. Cub Lake is an excellent trail for viewing wildlife. There ar...
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  • Estes Park, Colorado

    Backpack to Odessa Lake via Fern Lake Trailhead

    4.0
    9.65 mi / 1890 ft gain
    Odessa Lake seems to be one of the true hidden gems of Rocky Mountain National Park. Don't get me wrong, you will likely see some folks there, but it is a far cry from the other crowded Bear Lake trailhead lakes. There are two ways to reach Odessa; one, from the Bear Lake Trailhead, and the oth...
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  • Evergreen, Colorado

    Hike the Resthouse/Lincoln Lake Trail

    4.5
    While the Mt. Evans Wilderness never has a shortage of visitors, thanks to its proximity to Denver, it is possible to find a more private hike if you know where to look. Lincoln Lake Trail, accessible from Echo Lake year-round, is not as glamorous as its sister trail, Chicago Lakes, but is a wond...
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  • Idaho Springs, Colorado

    Explore Echo Lake Park

    4.0
    1.2 mi / 88 ft gain
    Located at the base of Mt. Evans Road, Echo Lake sits next to Squaw Pass Road, providing a great jumping-off point for numerous adventures. The park serves as a trailhead for hiking or snowshoeing into the Mount Evans Wilderness, offers picnic areas, and includes a nearby campground with 17 site...
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  • Allenspark, Colorado

    Hike to Verna, Spirit, Fourth, and Fifth Lakes

    19 mi / 2460 ft gain
    This summer backpacking trip provides plenty of opportunities for exploration and endless moments to take in awe-inspiring scenery. On our visit, after setting up camp at the Lake Verna backcountry site, I quickly made my way to the next lake (Spirit Lake) to photograph the sunset. The symmetry a...
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  • Allenspark, Colorado

    Hike to Spirit Lake

    15.8 mi / 2000 ft gain
    One can reach spirit lake as a day hike, however it is most often visited as part of backpacking trip. Either way the route is the same and it starts at the East Inlet trail. To park you are supposed to pay or show your park/national lands pass. From the East Inlet trailhead you will soon pass Ad...
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