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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Telluride, Colorado
Bridal Veil Falls
5.01.81 mi / 1027 ft gainPark at the Pandora Mill just east of Telluride and lace up your footwear of choice. At 1.2 miles to the base of the falls with 850 feet of gain, this can make for a great thigh burning hike or run. The trail is a gravel road that eventually passes a gate to further trails up the Bridal Veil Ba...Read more -
Estes Park, Colorado
Cub Lake
5.05.27 mi / 771 ft gainRocky Mountain National Park showcases 355 miles of hiking trails, 6 campgrounds, and hundreds of backcountry camp sites. Cub Lake is an excellent trail for viewing wildlife. There are small ponds that you will pass on this trail that are great locations for spotting elk, mule deer, and moose. ...Read more -
Allenspark, Colorado
Backpack to Lake Verna
5.013.5 mi / 1969 ft gainWant to get away it from it all and enjoy some high alpine lakes? The East Inlet Trail is just outside Grand Lake, on the westside of Rocky Mountain National Park, 2.35 miles east of Highway 34 on West Portal Road. From the trailhead, one can access 8 different campsites. The campsites are as ...Read more -
Nathrop, Colorado
Explore the St. Elmo Ghost Town
3.8If you're willing to go off the beaten path to a neat little ghost town, St. Elmo, Colorado is the place for you! About 2 and a half hours west of Colorado Springs, Colorado lies the town of St. Elmo, high up in the White River National Forest.The town itself was founded in 1880 when they discov...Read more -
Nederland, Colorado
Heart and Rogers Pass Lakes
4.88.62 mi / 2113 ft gainThe hike begins at the East Portal Trailhead outside Rollinsville. Start hiking along the South Boulder trail to the right (north) of the very obvious Moffat Rail tunnel. The trail begins with moderate grades past the Forest Lakes cutoff just 1.25 miles from the trailhead. Continue hiking straigh...Read more -
Grand Lake, Colorado
Camp at Stillwater Pass
4.6Some of my best nights in Colorado were spent in Stillwater Pass. There are numerous campsites with remade fire pits. I found this site when the Timber Creek Campground in Rocky Mountain National Park was full and I did not want to head back to Denver. There is a photo of a white plastic horse a...Read more -
Carbondale, Colorado
Lizard Lake and Crystal Mill
5.08.94 mi / 997 ft gainAlthough the iconic Crystal Mill is the main attraction on this hike, the river that leads you there through the magnificent mountains of the White River National Forest is nothing short of extraordinary. Getting There The hike is located in the small town of Marble, about 40 minutes east of Ca...Read more -
Aspen, Colorado
Crater Lake via Maroon-Snowmass Trail
4.63.77 mi / 722 ft gainThe crater lake trail begins at Maroon Lake and quickly breaks off from the scenic trail at .3 miles. Be sure to follow the signs to crater lake, which will be heading higher into the valley. The trail passes through a beautiful Aspen grove most of the way with wonderful views of 14ers, the Maroo...Read more -
Lyons, Colorado
Camp at Coulson Gulch
4.09 miCoulson Gulch is a lightly used area of the Roosevelt National Forest which makes it perfect for a weekend getaway without the crowds. This is a great place to camp out under the stars!To get to Coulson Gulch From Lyons, head west on U.S. Highway 36 for about 9 miles. Turn southwest onto Larimer ...Read more -
Boulder, Colorado
Hike the Big Bluestem Trail Loop
4.04.35 mi / 841 ft gainThis is a great spot for an easy/moderate hike or trail run. The trail is accessible year round and can often be hiked in winter as well as other seasons. You start out at the Mesa Trailhead parking lot off of Hwy 170. There is a parking lot here but this is a starting spot for several hikes into...Read more -
Parshall, Colorado
Camp at Jones Pass
4.5To locate these campsites all you have to do is type in Jones Pass Road into google maps or your iPhone and it will take you straight there. There are road signs once you get off I-70 that will help you the rest of the way that say Jones Pass. Once you hit the dirt road and pass the Jones Pass Tr...Read more -
Estes Park, Colorado
Chasm Lake via Longs Peak Trailhead
4.78.01 mi / 2425 ft gainThe 4-mile trail climbs around 2500ft from the Longs Peak trailhead and starts by winding through dense forest. In the morning darkness, trudging through thick trees isn’t the most exciting, but when you finally climb out above treeline, the massive profile of Longs and the slowly growing light o...Read more -
Boulder, Colorado
Boulder's Skyline Traverse
5.014.77 mi / 4583 ft gainHave you ever reached the bottom of a hike with some friends and thought, 'That was nice, but I'd still like to hike more... a lot more.'? Then the Skyline Traverse is for you. Instead of hiking just Green Mountain or Bear Peak, the Skyline Traverse links South Boulder Peak, Bear Peak, Green Mou...Read more -
Breckenridge, Colorado
Lower Crystal Lake via Crystal Creek Road
5.04.52 mi / 1624 ft gainTo get to the Crystal Lakes start at the Spruce Creek Trailhead. You can hike or drive to the Lower Crystal Lake along Crystal Creek Road. If you choose to drive, you will need a high clearance 4x4 vehicle as you follow along Crystal Creek Road. The road is steep, but when they get to the top it ...Read more -
Jefferson, Colorado
Backpack Lost Creek
4.05 miI included a trail map of where I camped. There are many sites all throughout this area. From the Lost Park Campground Parking lot follow the Lost Creek for 2.4 miles. At the 1 mile mark was the best place that we found to cross the creek (there are two logs that make a bridge across the creek). ...Read more -
Nederland, Colorado
Caribou Lake via 4th of July Trailhead
4.09.01 mi / 2474 ft gainThis is one of the most beautiful hikes I have ever done in Colorado. It is a great trip for photographers, fisherman or anyone who enjoys mountain views, forests filled with wildlife and peaceful meadows. Distances: Arapaho Pass: 3.2 miles, Caribou Lake: 4.2 miles, Caribou Pass: 6.4 miles, M...Read more
