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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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 -
Loveland, Colorado
Climb Green Ridge in the Roosevelt National Forest
9.8 mi / 2400 ft gainGreen Ridge is a fantastic series of summits in the Front Range that make for excellence training hikes, but is often forgotten as it lies outside of the nearby Bobcat Ridge Natural Area and just inside of Roosevelt National Forest. The summit itself at 7,402' is fantastic, featuring a nearly 900...Read more -
Allenspark, Colorado
Ouzel Falls
4.25.22 mi / 1004 ft gainLocated right outside of Rocky Mountain National Park, this hike is perfect for anyone looking to do a little exploring without the cost of a park fee. The drive through the Rocky Mountains to the trailhead is an added bonus. This hike is great because it has multiple attractions all along the wa...Read more -
Frisco, Colorado
Eccles Pass via Meadow Creek
9.85 mi / 2782 ft gainStarting at just over 9,000ft the Meadow Creek trail follows the path of the similarly named Meadow Creek. Through a canopy of aspens and pines the trail climbs at a steady, moderate rate. After a few water crossings the trees give way to an alpine meadow that offer a view of the final approach t...Read more -
Westcliffe, Colorado
Willow Lake Trail
5.08.86 mi / 2717 ft gainNestled in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, Willow Lake offers a stunning destination to a rigorous hike. The hike is approximately 9 miles out and back with 2800 feet of elevation gain. The trail is well marked and maintained. However, the hike rarely levels off. Be prepared for a steady incline...Read more -
Estes Park, Colorado
Flattop Mountain and Hallett Peak
4.49.73 mi / 3173 ft gainHike up to two very tall Rocky Mountain National Park summits. Along the route, you'll see wildlife and abundant wildflowers as well as views of Keyhole Route and Longs Peak. Arrive at the Bear Lake Trailhead. Follow abundant signage toward Flattop Mountain. Once you arrive at the summit of Flat...Read more -
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Snowshoe to St. Mary's Falls
6.5 mi / 1500 ft gainAfter reaching the Gold Camp parking lot, strap on your snow shoes and head west past the gated road continuing on Gold Camp. The road will continue west for half a mile before passing the Seven Falls trailhead and turning east for another half a mile.At the collapsed tunnel, Gold Camp Road ends....Read more -
Nederland, Colorado
Arapaho Pass and Lake Dorothy
4.37.02 mi / 1923 ft gainBegin by parking at the 4th of July trailhead. This can be reached by conituing past the Eldora ski area and up a rough but passable (for all vehicles) gravel road to the trailhead. The trail is easy to find, and will continue to rise for the next 1.15 miles. At just over a mile there is a fork ...Read more -
Bellvue, Colorado
Trail Run the Hewlett Gulch Trail
5.08.5 mi / 800 ft gainHewlett Gulch Trailhead is located about 20 minutes from Fort Collins and offers easy hiking in the Poudre Canyon.From Fort Collins, take 287 to Ted's Place. Take a left onto CO 14 and follow 14 through the canyon just past Poudre Park where you see the trailhead sign. Turn left onto the road tha...Read more -
Lyons, Colorado
Backpack to Red Deer Lake, CO
4.06.4 mi / 1900 ft gainThis is an excellent place to take your family backpacking. It is a fairly easy trail and definitely a great one for kids. Take in the beautiful scenery while hiking through meadows, aspen and pine with incredible mountain views in the Indian Peaks Wilderness. 6.4 miles to Red Deer Lake with an e...Read more -
Estes Park, Colorado
Sprague Lake Loop
5.00.81 mi / 26 ft gainLocated in Rocky Mountain National Park at an elevation of almost 8,700 feet, Sprague Lake offers visitors great views with very little effort required. It's a short 15 minute drive from Estes Park and hikers can take the short trail around the circumference of the lake. You'll find bathrooms and...Read more -
Mancos, Colorado
Explore Park Point in Mesa Verde National Park
5.0The Park Point Trail is the highest point in Mesa Verde National Park, and being close to the four corners, you can see for hundreds of miles in every direction on a clear day. It's a very short walk from the car, and there are several nice lookouts along the way, but be sure to walk all the way ...Read more -
Cortez, Colorado
Hike Sand Canyon in Canyons of the Ancients
5.013 mi / 1390 ft gainThe Sand Canyon trail in Canyons of the Ancients has two trailheads. The lower trailhead (off of County Road G) begins at 5,472-ft., while the upper trailhead (off of Country Road N) begins at 6,862-ft. If you are doing the 13 mile out-and-back hike as I did, begin at the lower trailhead and work...Read more -
Estes Park, Colorado
Bear Lake
4.60.67 mi / 77.87 ft gainBear Lake is a popular tourist destination in Rocky Mountain NP, but when the sun is low in the sky or the stars are out you'll find the big crowd are gone. The lake is beautiful at sunrise and sunset but especially photogenic in the fall or at winter's end. While it doesn't have the darkest nig...Read more -
Evergreen, Colorado
Watch the Sunset from Mt Evans Road
5.0Leave Evergreen, CO and access the Mount Evans Road and Mount Evans Recreation Area from Squaw Pass, CO 103 at Echo Lake.Drive along the slopes of Mount Evans, a Colorado 14er standing at 14,264 ft. 5 switchbacks down from the summit, on a tight hairpin turn, is a small parking area near 13,900f...Read more -
Leadville, Colorado
Ski or Snowshoe to the Weston Pass Hut
5.013.4 mi / 2400 ft gainYour trip starts at the winter trailhead for Weston Pass, approximately 6.7 miles from the hut. Depending on road conditions, you may be able to cut off a few miles by driving further up the road.In the summer, you can drive all the way to the hut, and enjoy a great basecamp for hiking and trail ...Read more
