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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Durango, Colorado
Camp at Little Molas Lake
5.01 mi / 40 ft gainLittle Molas Lake Campground is about 1 mile off of US Highway 550 on Molas Pass just North of and on the other side of the highway from the Molas Overlook. Pro-tip: there is also another campground nearby called Molas Lake Park & Campground, so it's important to distinguish which you are hea...Read more -
Littleton, Colorado
Hike or Bike Hildebrand Ranch
4.05.1 mi / 324 ft gainHildebrand Ranch Park is often overshadowed by the other nearby Jeffco Parks, but for the few that it does attract the trails do not disappoint. The Two Brands Trail starts at about 5600ft just off of Deer Creek Canyon Rd. It is a relatively flat trail that tops out at about 5821ft making it a...Read more -
Estes Park, Colorado
Camp at Aspenglen Campground
5.0Aspenglen is one of the four main campgrounds within the park boundaries. The campground is for car camping and there are areas just for tents and then broader areas for tents and campers. There are 53 sites at this campground and it fills up quickly each year. Reservations are available six mont...Read more -
Telluride, Colorado
Hike the Jud Wiebe Trail
5.03.1 mi / 1300 ft gainThe Jud Wiebe can be accessed from two trailheads: 1) The top of North Aspen St (opposite direction of the Gondola) and across the bridge on the left (where this adventure starts) 2) North Oak St - hike up Tomboy Road and head to the left at the sign for the Jud Wiebe trail Street parking is ava...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 -
Glenwood Springs, Colorado
Grizzly Creek Trail
5.07.08 mi / 1873 ft gainTake exit 121 off Interstate 70 (a rest stop exit), and follow signs to a secondary parking lot near Grizzly Creek. This is a great addition to the nearby Hanging Lake & Spouting Rock hikes just 4 miles East on I-70. Because these two are so popular, Grizzly Creek is a great, not very well k...Read more -
Boulder, Colorado
Green Mountain via Chautauqua Park
4.55.24 mi / 2467 ft gainStarting from the popular Chautauqua Park trailhead, head west on the main trail to the first branch off onto a smaller trail that will take you toward Baseline Road. Follow this trail until it eventually connects with Gregory Canyon Trailhead—you can park at this trailhead if you wish, but miss ...Read more -
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Mt. Muscoco Trail
4.83.66 mi / 1453 ft gainThe Basics: Mt. Muscoco (8020 ft.) is one of the easier summits in the Colorado Springs Front Range area, and you are quickly rewarded with 360 degree views after climbing 1.8 miles and 1,400 feet. The path is well-defined and maintained after it was reconstructed in 2015. Pack water and a light ...Read more -
Ridgway, Colorado
Photograph Dallas Divide
Along with Maroon Lake and Crystal Mill, Dallas Divide is one of Colorado's iconic photography locations. It's proximity to the rugged San Juan mountains makes it an ideal location to capture some of Colorado's most incredible scenery in one picture frame. Start your adventure by grabbing your t...Read more -
Cascade, Colorado
Photograph Rampart Range Road
4.720 miFrom the starting point near Balanced Rock in Garden of the Gods, Rampart Range Road turns to dirt and begins a steady climb into the foothills west of Colorado Springs. Though dirt, the road is well-graded and perfectly suitable for passenger cars in good weather. As the road climbs, you'll trav...Read more -
Aspen, Colorado
Ski the Aspen Highland Bowl
/ 782 ft gainBeing able to ski or snowboard the Highland Bowl requires a good set of lungs and legs. Accessing the 12,382-foot peak requires taking a couple of lifts from the base of Aspen Highlands Mountain (Exhibition then Loge Peak), then some serious leg work (expect a 30-60-minute hike). Some parts of th...Read more -
Lyons, Colorado
Hike the Kruger Rock Trail
4 mi / 1000 ft gainCutting through the forested hills surrounding Estes Valley, the Kruger Rock Trail is a well-marked 4 mile loop to the top of Kruger Rock. The trail begins in Hermit Park Open Space, located just a few miles southeast of Estes Park and is a moderate hike with around 1000 feet of elevation gain. C...Read more -
Silverthorne, Colorado
Lily Pad Lake
4.73.27 mi / 531 ft gainLily Pad Lake is a well known destination just outside of Silverthorne and in the Eagle's Nest Wilderness. The trail may be heavily trafficked on the weekends, but solitude can still be found in the early mornings or during the weekdays. The trail starts at the Lily Pad Lake Trailhead, just to t...Read more -
Golden, Colorado
Mount Galbraith Loop via Cedar Gulch
5.04.51 mi / 1395.01 ft gainStarting at roughly 6,000 ft. this hike will take you to the Mount Galbraith Loop Trail that circles the summit of the Mountain which peaks at 7,247 ft. Getting there is very simple, from State Highway 93, take Golden Gate Canyon Road west approximately 1.5 miles to the parking area and trailhe...Read more -
Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Hike Fish Creek Falls in Steamboat Springs
4.24.36 mi / 1440 ft gainEasily the most popular hike in Steamboat Springs, FishCreek Falls earns its popularity not just by its close proximity to town, butby its spectacular waterfalls. If you are a waterfall aficionado, then thishike is for you. Just 3.5 miles from Main Street in Steamboat, the hike tothe Lower and U...Read more -
Cañon City, Colorado
Climb at Shelf Road
4.41.5 mi / 400 ft gainShelf Road is secluded, rural, and has great climbing. There are so many areas to choose from and it has a great diversity of route levels (mostly sport routes). My personal favorite area is "The Gallery" and "The Bank." Everyone is friendly and gives each other a hand.Sand Gulch Campground, righ...Read more
