Idaho Springs, Colorado
Looking for the best rock climbing in Idaho Springs? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Idaho Springs. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Rock Climbing Spots in and near Idaho Springs
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Granby, Colorado
Mirror and Crater Lakes via Cascade Creek Trail
4.614.94 mi / 2421 ft gainStart at the Monarch Lake trailhead (where there is a $5 parking fee unless you have one of the national lands passes) and follow the cascade creek trail around the north side of the lake. After about 1.5 miles the trail splits with the Arapaho pass trail, follow the cascade trail to the left as ...Read more -
Silverthorne, Colorado
Upper Slate Lake via Rock Creek Trailhead
5.022.21 mi / 4406 ft gainStarting from the Rock Creek Trailhead parking lot, it is an up and down trek to Upper Slate Lake. The trail map states 10 miles each way, but accounting for switchbacks it ends up being closer to 14 long, hard miles. You will be among aspens and pines for the first half as you have a few modera...Read more -
Estes Park, Colorado
Peacock Pool
7.9 mi / 2438 ft gainThe peacock pool is a cool little tarn below the outlet to Chasm Lake. Please note that this adventure is best done in the winter/spring when snow is present to prevent erosion in the sensitive area. That is how the description will be written, assuming winter conditions. The approach is the sa...Read more -
Estes Park, Colorado
Longs Peak
5.013.3 mi / 4646 ft gainFor the most part, this hike is very straightforward, so I'll essentially skip over the first 5.5 or so miles of the hike, but, in case you don't know: Start (very early so you get a parking spot) from the trailhead right next to the parking lot (the road to it is paved - seriously this mountain...Read more -
Estes Park, Colorado
Rock Climb above Lilly Lake
3.5Lilly Lake is known as a very popular, easy hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. Lilly Lake itself is very pretty and also has some good fishing and walking opportunities.Rock rises up nearby the northwest area of the lake, and offers some of the most fun rock climbing in the area. There are num...Read more -
Estes Park, Colorado
Black Lake Trail
5.09.17 mi / 1444 ft gainThe 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...Read more -
Larimer County, Colorado
Mills Lake via Glacier Gorge Trailhead
4.85.24 mi / 751 ft gainStart 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...Read more -
Estes Park, Colorado
Green Lake via Glacier Gorge Trail
5.011.38 mi / 2352 ft gainBegin at the popular Glacier Gorge trailhead along Bear Lake Road in Rocky Mountain National Park. Arrive VERY early for parking as the lot typically fills by 7:30 am. For the best photography options - choose to either backpack into the Glacier Gorge campsite (reservations must be made early in ...Read more -
Larimer County, Colorado
Lake Haiyaha
5.03.64 mi / 1033 ft gainBegin 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...Read more -
Estes Park, Colorado
Climb Notchtop Mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park
5.03.5 mi / 1550 ft gainPark at Bear Lake, and follow the signs north of the lake to Odessa Lake. However, do NOT go all the way to Odessa Lake; after about 3 miles, when Notchtop is in full view, the trail begins to descend to Odessa Lake. Find an unmarked spur trail to the left which leads to shallow Lake Helene, then...Read more -
Estes Park, Colorado
Dragon's Tail Couloir Climb
5.0Start your day at the Bear Lake parking lot, and head out on the short 2-mile approach that winds uphill past Nymph and Dream Lake. After arriving at Emerald Lake, skirt around the shore on the left side to reach the bottom of the couloir, clearly visibile on the far side of the lake.The 1500 ft ...Read more -
Leadville, Colorado
Mounts Democrat, Lincoln, Cameron and Bross (CLOSED)
4.08 mi / 3500 ft gainNOTE: As of March 2023, access to parts of this loop that are on private property (including Mt. Democrat & Mt. Lincoln) are closed to the public indefinitely. (Source) Find your way to the Kite Lake trailhead near Alma, Colorado. The road up to the trailhead is suitable for most vehicles, i...Read more -
Estes Park, Colorado
Oldman Mountain
5.00.54 mi / 374 ft gainOldman Mountain trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you past scenic surroundings located near Estes Park, Colorado.Read more -
Vail, Colorado
Ice Climb Pumphouse Falls in Vail
To get to Pumphouse Falls take Interstate 70 toward East Vail, Colorado, get off at exit 176 S. Frontage Road headed east. At the traffic circle take the third exit and continue on South Frontage Rd. for 2.5 miles, turn right into the small parking lot next to the Nordic ski track. Follow the sig...Read more -
Woodland Park, Colorado
Climb at Turkey Rocks
5.0Looking for a place to hone your crack climbing technique? Turkey Rocks is the place with some old school ethics and stiff grades. Turkey can be accessed from the town of Westcreek north of Woodland Park. From here, head west on Abbey Road and then south on West Creek Ave. About a mile down t...Read more -
Estes Park, Colorado
Climb at Lumpy Ridge
Lumpy Ridge is mostly a traditional climbing area with most climbs being two or more pitches after a mile to 3+ miles of mostly flat walking. From climbers left to right the larger areas consist of Sundance Buttress, The Bookend, The Bookmark, The Book, and Twin Owls. There are smaller formatio...Read more