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Central City, Colorado

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

Top Hiking Spots in and near Central City

  • Parshall, Colorado

    Camp at Jones Pass

    4.5
    To locate these campsites all you have to do is type in Jones Pass Road into google maps or your iPhone and it will take you straight there. There are road signs once you get off I-70 that will help you the rest of the way that say Jones Pass. Once you hit the dirt road and pass the Jones Pass Tr...
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  • Morrison, Colorado

    Hike Dinosaur Ridge

    4.0
    2 mi / 50 ft gain
    The hiking trail starts at the parking lot located across from the Dinosaur Ridge Discovery center (which you should totally go check out!). Once you park you will follow the gated and paved Alameda Parkway towards the ridge. Along the way there will be several sites on the left until you reach t...
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  • Morrison, Colorado

    Hike the Red Rocks Trail

    4.0
    6 mi
    While this is a 6 mile hike, it is relatively easy to add mileage to it and tailor it to fit your needs. Instead of simply doing the Red Rocks Trail/Morrison Slide loop, you can head all the way to the Village Walk trail in Matthews-Winters. You can also park along Red Rocks Trail Road and elimin...
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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

    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

    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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  • Morrison, Colorado

    Explore Red Rocks Park in Winter

    4.3
    Red Rocks is a bustling park in the summer when its famous amphitheater is filled with concerts. In winter though, the park dies down and becomes even more quiet when snow is falling. Grab your camera and head to the park during a winter storm to truly enjoy the beautiful red sandstone formations...
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  • Ward, Colorado

    Snowshoe Long Lake

    8 mi / 200 ft gain
    A long but extremely scenic hike tucked in Colorado's Indian Peaks wilderness. The entire Long Lake trail says 2.3 mile but due to winter conditions and snow pack you can really only make it the east edge of the lake. Exit Long lake loop back on to Brainard Lake Road (currently under construction...
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  • Ward, Colorado

    Snowshoe Mount Audubon

    13.9 mi / 2715 ft gain
    Want to start snowshoeing peaks?! Of course you do! If you don't already have snowshoes, you can rent a pair at your local REI (the one in Boulder, CO is closest to this hike). Check the snow conditions and if there is a fair amount of snow, I would recommend renting the larger of the two kinds o...
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  • Ward, Colorado

    Hike to Mitchell Lake

    4.0
    4 mi
    Located in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area, Mitchell Lake is a good quick hike for an afternoon getaway. With just two miles to go till you reach the lake itself, it's easy for the whole family and the pups (the recreation area is super popular, so this is assuming the lots are full and you hav...
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  • Dillon, Colorado

    Snowshoe or Ski Watrous Gulch

    4.0
    4 mi / 1200 ft gain
    Despite sharing a trailhead with the popular Herman Gulch, I had not heard of Watrous Gulch until I stumbled across it while researching something else. Knowing that Herman Gulch is filled with spectacular views and deep snow ideal for snowshoeing/skiing, I had to discover if the smaller, lesser-...
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  • Dillon, Colorado

    Wildflowers, Lakes, and Peaks, Oh My!

    5.0
    Herman Gulch is one of those special places that makes you fall in love with Colorado all over again. This spectacular wildflower hike that ends at an alpine lake will have your head swiveling from start to finish. Wildflower season is July and August, with peak season being mid-to-late July. Ple...
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  • Nederland, Colorado

    Camping at Brainard Lake

    5.0
    Pawnee Campground has 47 sites for suited for tents, RVs, or trailers with eight that are walk in and tent only. These can fill up quick so get there early if you don't have a reservation, which can be tough to come by but will be well worth it.Brainard Lake has been one of the most popular hikin...
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  • Ward, Colorado

    Lake Isabelle via Long Lake Trailhead

    4.5
    4.09 mi / 374 ft gain
    Start at the Pawnee Pass Trail No. 907 Trailhead. Long Lake is about 2 tenths of a mile and Lake Isabelle is 2 miles from the trailhead. Keep an eye out for moose grazing in the bushes or in the water near Long Lake. This is a 4 mile out and back hike with well marked trails. For an 8.75 mile hi...
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