Idaho Springs

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Top Adventures in Idaho Springs

  • Snowshoe to Squaw Mountain Fire Lookout

    Come 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 cor...

    4.75 miles 1200 ft gain

  • Hike Chief Mountain, CO

    Sitting 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...

    4 miles 1100 ft gain

  • Private and Tranquil Retreat at Beaver Brook Watershed

    Note: This is NOT the Beaver Brook Trail in Genesee Park/Lookout Mountain! If you enjoy the scenery and ambiance of Evergreen, but Evergreen Lake has become too crowded for your tastes, Beaver Brook Watershed (owned by the City of Golden) is an ex...

  • Hike the Elk Range Trail

    This is an incredible and beautiful hike that is just off of Route 6 but feels a million miles away. Drive up Douglas Mountain Road for the west park access (and I do mean UP - it's a quick elevation gain), and you'll run right into the Centennial...

  • Hike the Resthouse/Lincoln Lake Trail

    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...

  • Explore Echo Lake Park

    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 ar...

    1.2 miles 88 ft gain

  • Hike to Idaho Springs Reservoir

    This is a great hiking area an hour outside of Denver, Colorado. It's still easily accessible in the winter and most of the time it can be hiked without snowshoes. Starting at the Echo Lake parking lot, hike around the right side of the lake until...

    3.9 miles 800 ft gain

  • Hike to Lower and Upper Chicago Lake

    From the parking lot, stay to the right of Echo Lake and you will run into the Chicago Lakes Trailhead. Follow the switchbacks down and across Chicago Creek. After crossing the creek, follow the sign indicating that the trail follows the dirt road...

    9.8 miles 2390 ft gain

  • Hike the Blue Grouse Trail Loop

    Start the hike at the Blue Grouse Trailhead located next to Kriley Pond. Travel along Blue Grouse Trail for 0.7 miles until you reach a fork in the trail at Mule Trail where you will take a right. Along the Mule Trail you will travel up a series o...

    6 miles 400 ft gain

  • Hike Beaver Trail in Golden Gate Canyon State Park

    This trail starts off at Slough Pond, a great fishing pond or picnic spot. The trail starts out tree-covered. After a few tenths of a mile you have the choice to go clockwise or counter-clockwise. If you go counter-clockwise you have about 3/4 of ...

    2.3 miles 1046 ft gain

  • Photograph Ancient Bristlecone Pines on Mt. Goliath

    On 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 p...

  • Hike the Horseshoe Trail

    This intermediate hike in Golden Gate Canyon State Park is an attraction across seasons – in fall the aspens show beautiful colors, while in spring and and summer wildflowers bloom along the trail. You can also reach three backcountry camping site...

    3.6 miles 910 ft gain

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    Summer, a season not to be missed in Aspen!

    "I came for the winter, and stayed for the summer," is a phrase you'll often hear around town. The weather is one of the highlights. During the day the temperature hovers in the 70's and 80's, and by evening the mercury will drop into the 60's. Aspen is a place to explore and a place to recharge. Breathe in the crisp mountain air while you discover our wide-open spaces by foot, bike, or horse. Restore your mind, body and spirit as you reconnect with nature and loved ones in Aspen’s great outdoors. Join us for a summer adventure that’s anything but ordinary.

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    • Central City, Colorado

      Denver West / Central City KOA

    • Black Hawk, Colorado

      Cold Springs

      Overview Cold Springs Campground is located on the Arapaho Roosevelt National Forest, north of Blackhawk on the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway/Highway 119, in north central Colorado. Visitors enjoy the ...

    • Black Hawk, Colorado

      Pickle Gulch

      Overview Pickle Gulch is a group picnic and camping facility located just off the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway/Highway 119. Visitors enjoy the area for its scenic and off-road driving, and nearby hiki...

    • Evergreen, Colorado

      Echo Lake

      Overview Echo Lake Campground is located on the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests in central Colorado near its namesake lake at the base of Mount Evans along Hwy 103. Visitors enjoy hiking, fi...

    • Idaho Springs, Colorado

      West Chicago Creek

      Overview West Chicago Creek Campground sits along its namesake creek at the base of Mount Evans and is located off Highway 103 on the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests in central Colorado. It ...

    • Rollinsville, Colorado

      Kelly Dahl

      Overview Kelly Dahl Campground is located adjacent to the Peak-to-Peak Scenic Byway, near the historic mining towns of Nederland, Rollinsville, Central City and Black Hawk.Recreation Although no fo...

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