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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Winter Park, Colorado
Broome Hut via Second Creek Trail
1.94 mi / 712 ft gainBroome Hut is a short, but steep all year-round hike, but offers great snowshoeing and cross-country skiing as well.Once you reach the hut you are rewarded with incredible views of the Continental Divide, Berthoud Pass, and the Vasquez Peak Wilderness. The Cirque (bowl) is also accessible from ab...Read more -
Pitkin County, Colorado
Sunset Hike to Twining Peak
4 mi / 1700 ft gainTwining Peak is a ranked 13er located 2 miles north of Independence Pass. The hike involves around 1700 feet of elevation and is mostly off-trail with some class 2 scrambling (class 3 can be had if you look hard enough). Independence Pass is a prominent and popular pass on Highway 82 between Twin...Read more -
Manitou Springs, Colorado
Hike to Mt. Rosa
4.83.7 mi / 1322 ft gainTo get to the trailhead start on Old Stage Rd. After 11 miles turn right onto Forest Service Rd 379. This is a 4WD road. A small/large SUV, or truck should do the trick, nothing too crazy though. Drive on FS 379 for 1.5 miles until you come to an open field on the right known as Frosty Park. Ther...Read more -
Georgetown, Colorado
Hike to Square Top Lakes
4.3 mi / 1080 ft gainStarting from Guanella Pass, right across from the Bierstadt trailhead, Square Top Lakes is definitely a hidden gem. Most people here are attempting to do the 14er, but if you've already bagged that one (or are just looking for some high altitude hiking to get you ready for it), Square Top Lakes ...Read more -
Breckenridge, Colorado
Hike to Ski Peak 7 Powder in Breckenridge
5.0Your journey to the deepest powder in Breckenridge begins at the Breckconnect Gondola. If it snowed more than half a foot or it is the weekend you will want to arrive by 8:30 am to secure parking in one of the Gondola Lots.Ride the gondola up to Peak 8. On your way up you will pass over the Cucu...Read more -
Ward, Colorado
Shoshoni Peak
5.010.61 mi / 2470 ft gainHike one of the most scenic 12ers in Colorado's front range, Shoshoni Peak, with an elevation of 12,967 feet. You can easily combine a summit of Pawnee Peak for wonderful views of multiple alpine cirques. Enjoy wonderful views of the Long Lake Valley, Isabelle Glacier, and Pawnee Pass regions. Fo...Read more -
Coalmont, Colorado
Camp at Dumont Lake, CO
4.5Dumont Lake is 22 miles southeast of Steamboat Springs, just minutes off of U.S. Highway 40 (Rabbit Ears Pass). As you turn off the highway and drive down the dirt road, you get great views of Rabbit Ears Peak.The campground is made up of 14 sites. Almost all of the sites have a view of the meado...Read more -
Evergreen, Colorado
Three Sisters
4.31.45 mi / 377 ft gainThe short 1.2 mile long trail, is a family-friendly, dog-friendly trail near Evergreen. The parking lot is incredibly easy to find and there is great signage to make sure you're going the right way. From the parking lot you can follow the Three Sisters trail signs until you reach the beginning of...Read more -
Aspen, Colorado
Hike Lost Man Loop
5.08.8 mi / 1290 ft gainThis 8.8 mile "loop" is not a true loop and the trail ends 4 miles apart along Independence Pass, so a car shuttle is recommended. I would recommend starting at the west trailhead (closer to Aspen) but will describe both trailheads so you can set up another car or shuttle at the other one.1) West...Read more -
Calhan, Colorado
Hike the Paint Mines Interpretive Space Loop
4.54 mi / 200 ft gainThe site is an easy drive from Colorado Springs on US Route 24. There are three parking areas: the west and south parking areas are trailheads, and there is additional parking on the west side for a scenic overlook. The overlook does not attach to any trails.Through several loops, there are up to...Read more -
Golden, Colorado
Hike to Forgotten Valley
4.33.6 mi / 852 ft gainThere are over 35 miles of hiking trails in the park. The twelve trails in Golden Gate Canyon State Park are named after an animal and marked with the animal’s footprint.For a 2.6 round trip hike, start at the Burro Trailhead in Golden Gate Canyon State Park. You’ll immediately cross over a lit...Read more -
Grover, Colorado
Pawnee Buttes
4.43 mi / 427 ft gainThe Pawnee Buttes are a major geological feature within Pawnee National Grasslands in the far northeastern part of Colorado. There are two sandstone buttes that each rise over 300ft from the surrounding areas. There are also several other mesas nearby that are worth exploring. The trail is very ...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 -
Golden, Colorado
Morrison Slide Trail
4.25.12 mi / 922 ft gainStart at the trailhead located at 1103 County Hwy. 93 and enjoy a little warm up time by the creek that winds past wild plum, chokecherry, and willow trees. Matthews-Winters Park is filled with red rock formations that make for amazing scenery. It also has the remnants of a historic cemetery. The...Read more -
Ward, Colorado
Snowshoe Mount Audubon
13.9 mi / 2715 ft gainWant 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...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
