Denver, Colorado
Looking for the best photography in Denver? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Denver. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Photography Spots in and near Denver
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Boulder, Colorado
Watch Sunset from the Lost Gulch Overlook
From Boulder, drive west on Baseline road. Continue up for about 5.5 miles past the Flagstaff Summit (Realization Point) pull off. After some more steep and very tight switchbacks there will be a dirt parking lot on the north side of the road. From here you can head northwest towards the cliff...Read more -
Boulder, Colorado
Hike the Red Rocks Loop Trail
3.71 miParking 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...Read more -
Boulder, Colorado
Mount Sanitas Loop & Settlers Park
4.43.83 mi / 1371 ft gainFirst 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...Read more -
Boulder, Colorado
Sunshine Lion's Lair Loop
5.05.05 mi / 1257 ft gainThis 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...Read more -
Boulder, Colorado
Mountain Bike the Betasso Preserve
4.03.3 mi / 564 ft gainThe Betasso Preserve features two loop trails that are accessible to both hikers and mountain bikers. Drive up (west) Boulder Canyon about 15 minutes outside of Boulder and turn right (north) on Sugarloaf Dr. After another 5 or so minutes you'll see a sign on the right-hand (northeast) side of...Read more -
Conifer, Colorado
Elk Falls Loop
3.512.76 mi / 1893 ft gainBegin on Staunton Ranch Trail for 3.3 miles. Switch to Bugling Elk Trail for the next 1.1 miles, then to Lion's Back Trail for the last mile to the overlook. From here, you can create the loop by backtracking to the Chimney Rock Trail, which then connects with the Elk Falls Trail. To head back to...Read more -
Idaho Springs, Colorado
Squaw Mountain Fire Lookout
4.03.92 mi / 791 ft gainCome check out the Squaw Mountain Fire Lookout, a historic spot located in the Mount Evans Wilderness Area of Colorado, and one of the highest lookout towers in the country, at an elevation of 11,486 ft. Just a short drive from the Front Range corridor, you can hike/backpack in to this lookout ar...Read more -
Idaho Springs, Colorado
Hike Chief Mountain, CO
4.54 mi / 1100 ft gainSitting at 11,709’, Chief Mountain is not one of Colorado’s highest peaks, but the views from this mountain are spectacular nonetheless and rival the views of any 14er I’ve climbed. This mountain sits along Squaw Pass Road so you get the luxury of a high trailhead for this peak.To get there, foll...Read more -
Nederland, Colorado
Climb the Avalon Crag in Boulder Canyon
From Boulder, the pullout that is best to park at for the Avalon crag is 8.4 miles up the canyon. You will walk down the side of the road past the talus field, where if the river is too high to wade you can use the tyrolean traverse. Otherwise, you can wade or hop across rocks according to the da...Read more -
Boulder, Colorado
Catch the Sunrise on Sugarloaf
4.51 mi / 400 ft gainTo get there from downtown Boulder, head west on CO 119 and almost 4.5 miles after you have left Boulder, turn right onto Sugarloaf Road. 4 miles after the turn from CO 119, turn right onto Sugarloaf Mountain road (located at the top of the road). If the road starts descending, you've gone too fa...Read more -
Pine, Colorado
Dispersed Camp at the Buffalo Creek Area in Pike National Forest
3.850 miles from Denver, nestled in Pike National Forest, there are dozens of free dispersed camping sites. With quick access to the Colorado Trail and Buffalo Creek Mountain Bike Area, these campsites make for a perfect weekend getaway. The campsites begin on Forest Road 550, and are clearly marked...Read more -
Franktown, Colorado
Hike the Canyon View Nature Trail, Castlewood Canyon
4.52.4 miThis 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 -
Nederland, Colorado
Drive the Peak to Peak Highway
4.555 mi / 705 ft gainThe Peak to Peak Highway is a 55-mile stretch of road that winds its way from Nederland to Estes Park (or Estes Park to Nederland). This road connects to many points of exploration, Indian Peaks Wilderness Area and Rocky Mountain National Park to name a couple, but the drive itself is an adventur...Read more -
Evergreen, Colorado
Hike the Resthouse/Lincoln Lake Trail
4.5While 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...Read more -
Evergreen, Colorado
Photograph Ancient Bristlecone Pines on Mt. Goliath
5.0On the way to the summit of Mt. Evans sits a small 160 acre preserve of some of the world's oldest living trees. The Mount Goliath Natural Area protects a rare site of Bristlecone Pines that make excellent photographic subjects.Immediately after parking you're surrounded by a miniature forest ful...Read more -
Sedalia, Colorado
Hike Devils Head Fire Lookout
4.72.8 mi / 951 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 miles...Read more