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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Leadville, Colorado
Ski Hut-to-Hut from Uncle Bud's to Skinner Hut
5.024.5 mi / 4700 ft gainThe trek starts just outside of Leadville near Turquoise Lake at 9800 ft. The first day you'll travel 6.5 miles and gain 1700 ft. to Uncle Bud's Hut, which sits around 11,400 ft. The second day you'll ski 7.1 miles to Skinner Hut and gain 2100 ft, mostly in the last 3 miles after having dropped...Read more -
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Helen Hunt Falls & Silver Cascades
4.00.65 mi / 272 ft gainPark at the log-cabin visitor's center on North Cheyenne Canyon Rd just before it turns into Gold Camp Rd. I definitely recommend arriving early, as the parking lot fills up quickly. Helen Hunt Falls is in sight of the parking area, and another 1/3 mile past that you'll run into Silver Cascades. ...Read more -
Golden, Colorado
North Table Mountain Loop
4.57.49 mi / 1399.61 ft gainOnce you're parked, you can choose to ride this trail either counterclockwise or clockwise. My personal recommendation is CCW, which entails you head up the steep paved road on the east-southeast corner of the parking lot first. The climb is about 10 minutes of grunt work and then on to flat grou...Read more -
Aspen, Colorado
Camp at Silver Queen Campground
To start it off, head out from Aspen on Maroon Creek Road. Once you get to the park, you will either have to pay the charge at the booth or if you get there after 5pm, you can self pay at the cash box, which is $10. You'll also want to get an overnight parking pass set up which doesn't cost extra...Read more -
Montezuma, Colorado
Morgan Peak
8.76 mi / 2612 ft gainHow you get to Morgan Peak and the other 13ers in the area depends on if you have a 4-wheel drive with good clearance or not. If so, drive the rough Santa Fe road from the small town of Montezuma (just outside Keystone). The road is also known as Forest Service 264 and is a left at the stop sign ...Read more -
Aspen, Colorado
Backpack to Copper Lake
10 miLooking for a wildflower hike, we decided on Copper Lake in the Maroon Bells Wilderness as a place to base camp for 4 nights. It is 5 miles from the Trailhead, which is off Gothic Road above Crested Butte (2WD Accessible).Copper Lake is this beautiful alpine lake, situated right at treeline, with...Read more -
Grand Lake, Colorado
Hike to Big Meadows and Granite Falls
5.010.3 miThe Green Mountain Trail is part of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT) which is a foot path from Mexico to Canada. Big Meadows is a great place to view elk, moose, and deer. Other animals you can see in the area are abert squirrels, river otters, weasels, and black bear.Big Meadow...Read more -
Durango, Colorado
Hike the Colorado Trail: Little Molas Lake to Lime Creek
5.010 mi / 755 ft gainTo hike this section of the Colorado Trail, you'll begin from the Little Molas Lake Campground at around 10,895-ft. Little 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, which is just South of S...Read more -
Loveland Pass, Colorado
Photograph the Milky Way at Loveland Pass
Loveland Pass is often very busy during the winter as people move through the pass to access the nearby ski areas and just as popular for tourists admiring the beauty of the continental divide in the summer. It is also the start of some great hiking trails like the Mount Sniktau Trail. However, ...Read more -
Montrose, Colorado
Hike the Gunnison Route
5.02 mi / 1800 ft gainImmediately upon arriving, secure a permit to scramble down 1,800ft in one mile to the Gunnison River. There are no hiking trails below the rim of the canyon, and because of its relentless steepness and rock exposure, the only existing routes are incredibly steep and loose. To protect the delicat...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 -
Lake City, Colorado
Hike Redcloud and Sunshine Peaks
5.012 mi / 4800 ft gainThe easier drive to the Silver Creek / Grizzly Gulch trailhead is reached by traveling south from Lake City and turning right onto County Road 30. Although parts can be rough and the shelf road around the base of Sunshine Peak may cause a tighter grip on the steering wheel, in dry conditions a hi...Read more -
Estes Park, Colorado
Catch a Sunset Above Milner Pass
This is a great place to be at sunrise or sunset. Bring a camera & tripod and check the weather ahead of time.Take Trail Ridge Road all the way to the top and park at the Alpine Visitor Center. There's a great view from here, but if you're interested in photography I recommend taking the tr...Read more -
10746-11764 Greenhorn Highway, Colorado
Explore Bishop Castle
3.50.25 mi / 26 ft gainThis adventure is a unique experience, perfect for the off seasons. Park along the highway on CO-165 in Rye, Colorado, cross the street and walk into the largest one man project in the USA. You’ll enter under the grand front gate and follow the path that leads to the castle. There you’ll find mul...Read more -
Franktown, Colorado
Canyon View Nature Trail, Castlewood Canyon
4.31.46 mi / 133.86 ft gainThis is a well maintained, easy trail best hiked in spring and fall. Conditions make this trail great for families. The park is also popular for bird watching and rock climbing.Read more -
Frisco, Colorado
Hike Red Buffalo Pass, Frisco to East Vail
13.2 mi / 3400 ft gainStarting at the Meadow Creek trailhead in Frisco, you'll find yourself ending up in East Vail at Gore Lake Trailhead. See all photos here. The trail in Meadow Creek starts to climb at a gradual pace for the 3-4 miles, after a mile or so, take a look back upon the views of Lake Dillion. You'll ar...Read more
