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
-
Bellvue, Colorado
Arthur's Rock Trail
4.93.13 mi / 1102 ft gainThe climb to the summit of Arthur's Rock in Lory State Park provides relative isolation and solitude just 30 minutes from downtown Fort Collins along with great hiking, trail running, mountain biking, rock climbing, and horseback riding. Arthur's Rock Trail is the most direct route to the summit...Read more -
Mack, Colorado
Mountain Bike in the Rabbit Valley Area
13 mi / 1200 ft gainThis area is one of my favorites. Rabbit Valley is a great place with all kinds of activities available. Mainly we mountain bike here, but we have hiked and explored the canyons as well. There are traces of Native Americans that lived in the area hundreds of years ago, even a small arch too.From ...Read more -
Mountain Village, Colorado
Mountain Bike Village Trail
Take the Gondola from either Telluride or Mountain Village and get off at mid station. Walk up the path, pass the entrance to the bike park, and continue up the gravel road until you come upon signs for the Village Trail. It will start on the maintenance road but will quickly become a narrow path...Read more -
Estes Park, Colorado
Hike the Ypsilon Lake Trail
4.58.38 mi / 2369 ft gainTo get to the trailhead, enter Rocky Mountain National Park on the 36. Keep right at the fork with the 34 and then you'll take your next left and the parking for the trailhead is the first parking area on your right. There is an outhouse at the trailhead too, so if you need to take a pit stop b...Read more -
Allenspark, Colorado
Hike to Adams Falls
4.80.77 mi / 125 ft gainAdams Falls is one of the most popular hikes in the Grand Lake area, and one of the easiest. If you are just hiking to the falls, you will not need to bring much with you besides a camera, due to the distance. If you plan to venture past the falls, pack accordingly. Once you park in the trail...Read more -
Estes Park, Colorado
Backpack the Gorge Lakes
11.5 mi / 3200 ft gainStart at the Rock Cut Parking Area. Head east on Trail Ridge Road 0.25 miles to a more gradual and bald western slope leading down into Forest Canyon. This bald is located between two creeks which merge before joining the Big Thompson River (a small creek in mid September). Use the creeks to navi...Read more -
Westcliffe, Colorado
Summit Kit Carson Peak
12.4 mi / 6323 ft gainThere are a couple different trailheads that lead to Kit Carson Peak, but the one from Willow Creek Trailhead will give you the opportunity to peak another fourteener, Challenger Point, and let you pass through and/or camp at Willow Lake, which is a beautiful destination by itself. If approaching...Read more -
Aspen, Colorado
Hike the Mayfly Trail, Snowmass
0.25 miLocated in Snowmass Village CO, this trail is nestled between Brush Creek and Brush Creek Road.Drive your vehicle to Clark's Market (16 Kearns rd Aspen, CO) and park in the lot facing down valley looking towards Woodbridge Condominiums. Along the edge of Clark's parking lot there will be a dirt t...Read more -
Aspen, Colorado
Hike to Spiral Point (Yin Yang), Snowmass
5.01.3 mi / 284 ft gainSnowmass Village is located 15 - 20 minutes west of Aspen Colorado off state highway 82. Once in Snowmass Village, take Brush Creek road almost to the top of the hill until the road splits with Divide road (If you have made it to the Snowmass Village mall, you have missed the road and must turn b...Read more -
Leadville, Colorado
Mounts Democrat, Lincoln, Cameron and Bross (CLOSED)
4.08 mi / 3500 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) Find your way to the Kite Lake trailhead near Alma, Colorado. The road up to the trailhead is suitable for most vehicles, i...Read more -
Hesperus, Colorado
Summit Centennial Peak in the La Plata Mountains via Sharkstooth Trailhead
6 mi / 2162 ft gainFrom the western end of the town of Mancos, follow CR 42 north until it enters the national forest and becomes FR 561. Go right on FR 350 and keep right at any junctions (there are two of them) until you reach the signed Sharkstooth Trailhead about 19 miles from Mancos. Enjoy your drive through ...Read more -
Pagosa Springs, Colorado
Crater Lake in the South San Juan Wilderness
9.17 mi / 2133 ft gainHoliday weekends can be frustrating for solitude seekers. The extra day to play always seems to be challenged by the expected crowds of competition for your sought after spots. Fortunately for those of us who prefer quieter pastures, Colorado's 3.5+ million acres of wilderness still hold plenty ...Read more -
Aspen, Colorado
McNamara Hut
5.012.46 mi / 2631 ft gainMcNamara Hut sits in the national forest on the slope of Bald Knob, with easy access to intermediate backcountry skiing and more challenging terrain further away. Built in 1982, it's one of the original huts in the 10th Mountain Division system along with Margy's Hut. The hut comes stocked with...Read more -
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Mt. Cutler Trail
5.01.79 mi / 561 ft gainThis is a quick hike to add to the list if you're making a trip to the Cheyenne Canon area. Parking is limited to about 15 cars and fills up fast so be sure to start early or the first part of your hike might start from a further parking or pull-off along the road. This is the same parking lot a...Read more -
Larkspur, Colorado
Spruce Mountain Loop
4.55.46 mi / 810 ft gainSpruce mountain is an approximately 4.2 mile loop outside of Colorado Springs near Palmer lake. The hike is a pretty easy one, that has some great views of the Front Range including peak a boo views of Pikes Peak. Starting at the Trailhead, you can either take the right or left trail which will t...Read more -
Walden, Colorado
Backcountry Ski or Snowboard at Cameron Pass
To get to Cameron Pass, drive west out of Fort Collins from Highway 287, to Highway 14, into Poudre Canyon. Take the drive all the way through Poudre Canyon, and soon you will climb out of the canyon and towards the continental divide at Cameron Pass. Once you see the sign at the top of the pass ...Read more
