Colorado
It's hard to beat what the Rockies have to offer. A plethora of world-class skiing in the winter, and all the hiking, backpacking, camping, mountain biking, and rafting you could hope for in the summer. Looking for a challenge?Maybe try your hand at one of Colorado's 14,000 ft peaks (there's somewhere between 53 and 58, depending who you ask).
Top Spots in and near Colorado
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Grand Lake, Colorado
Catch the Fall Colors on the West Side of Rocky Mountain NP
4.0A Fall adventure in Rocky Mountain National Park is among the most spectacular experiences Colorado has to offer. The change of the seasons offers an amazing change to the landscape that makes taking a bad picture darn near impossible. The light is perfect, the elk are in rut, and the mountains o...Read more -
Boulder, Colorado
Shanahan Ridge Trail
4.03.84 mi / 715 ft gainStarting on the edge of a neighborhood in South Boulder, this 3.8 mile loop begins its 869 foot elevation gain by meandering through a pine forest. You can 'choose your own adventure' by exploring the handful of trails that meet up with the Shanahan Ridge Trail, such as the South Mesa Trail, Shad...Read more -
Ward, Colorado
Lake Isabelle via Long Lake Trailhead
4.54.09 mi / 374 ft gainStart 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...Read more -
Ward, Colorado
Isabelle Glacier
5.08.62 mi / 1578 ft gainGetting There The trailhead can be reached from Boulder by driving west through Boulder Canyon on Highway 42 to Nederland, then going north on the Peak-to-Peak Highway 72 to the town of Ward. From there, a National Forest Sign on the west side of the highway provides directions to the ranger stat...Read more -
Ouray County, Colorado
Climb Mt. Sneffels via the Southwest Ridge
4.53 mi / 1800 ft gainThere is a great description of this trailhead here: Hike Mount SneffelsThe SW Ridge route of Mt Sneffels is a Class III scramble in the Mount Sneffels Wilderness area of the San Juan Range located between Ouray and Telluride, Colorado. This route is 3 miles RT with 1,800 feet of elevation gain ...Read more -
Leadville, Colorado
Mt. Democrat (CLOSED)
4.84 mi / 2150 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) To begin this wonderful hike, drive from the town of Alma, Colorado and head up Buckskin Street for about 6 miles. I would ...Read more -
Breckenridge, Colorado
Lower & Upper Mohawk Lakes
4.76.29 mi / 1775 ft gainI recently spent the weekend in Breckenridge, and not being from the area, there was one hike that was on my bucket list: Mohawk Lakes. It didn’t disappoint! In late September, the Breckenridge area is full of gorgeous golden aspen trees, providing spectacular long-range views. In summer, abundan...Read more -
Chaffee County, Colorado
Off-Trail Hike of Limestone Ridge
4.09 mi / 1000 ft gainFinding a winter or early spring adventure that won't take you deep into dangerous mountain territory, while still providing epic vistas, is a challenge in Colorado. There are a few 10,000' tall ranges that sometimes escape deep snow, which are inviting for a first step into the alpine wonderland...Read more -
Idaho Springs, Colorado
Camp at Guanella Pass
4.5This is a beautiful campground that serves as a great basecamp for many different outdoor activities in the Front Range. Whether you are looking for a casual day fishing or trying to knock one of the nearby 14ers off of your bucket list, this is an excellent place to begin. There are also abandon...Read more -
Aspen, Colorado
Ski or Snowshoe to the Maroon Bells
5.012 mi / 1000 ft gainFrom Aspen drive down Maroon Creek Road until it comes to its winter closure located by T Lazy 7 Ranch. The Ranch offers snowmobile tours and keeps the six mile snow covered road to the Bells groomed. Most popular with cross country skiers, the snow road can also be hiked, fat biked, and skinned....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 -
Cripple Creek, Colorado
Horsethief Falls and Pancake Rocks
4.87.31 mi / 1863.52 ft gainHorsethief Falls and Pancake Rocks can be found on the west side of Pikes Peak, so if you want to get away from the crowds and the city, put this trail on your to do list. Most of the trail runs through the forest, which makes this an excellent candidate for hiking in July and August when the su...Read more -
Ouray, Colorado
Backpack to Dragon's Back via Horsethief Trail
5.016 mi / 3520 ft gainThe Uncompahgre Wilderness stretches out through the mountains and forests of southwestern Colorado, with worn trails lingering beside abandoned 19th-century mines and crossing old alpine sheep pastures. Dragon's Back is the unofficial name for Point 12,968', a small but beautiful summit at the b...Read more -
Aspen, Colorado
Camp on the Backside of Buttermilk Mountain
1.04 mi / 2000 ft gainPark at the Buttermilk Ski Area parking lot and begin your hike up the mountain at the bottom of the Summit Express chair lift. Follow the 4x4 dirt road the entire way up Buttermilk. There are other small hiking trails that you can follow too, and with the entire mountain being a ski area, it's s...Read more -
Estes Park, Colorado
Dream Lake
4.91.97 mi / 463 ft gainBegin at the Bear Lake Trailhead, located at the end of Bear Lake Road, 9 miles from the entrance on Highway 36. Follow the signs to Dream Lake, passing Nymph Lake about halfway through. At 1.1 miles you will reach Dream Lake. The views of 12,713-foot Hallett Peak and 12,324-foot Flattop Mountain...Read more -
Pine, Colorado
Dispersed Camp at the Buffalo Creek Area in Pike National Forest
4.050 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
