Sharkstooth Trail is a great day hike in a region of Colorado many overlook. While summertime is the best time to venture into higher altitude hikes in the alpine, the summer also has its dangers. Made famous as being one of the best rock climbing areas in Colorado, this area is also home to some amazing hikes. Blue Lakes Trail - Ridgway. Photo Credit: Mariah Hoffman. Earn a $100 REI gift card after your first purchase outside of REI within 60 days from account opening. Its a popular, but challenging, 7.5-mile, out-and-back hike that will take you through the gorgeous, Mount Evans Wilderness area. This trail appears to dead-end at Mirror Lake, a small lake with Lone Eagle Peak in the background. If you can, try to time your visit between late May and early June since this is when the waterfall is at its best. Crestone Peak and the Crestone Needle, two of Colorados most famous 14ers (peaks above 14,000 feet high), create a beautifully dramatic backdrop. Related Read: The 10 Best Hikes Near Grand Junction, Colorado. There are many different items one should bring hiking while in Colorado. If you are looking for a shorter or easier outing, the. Box 118, Bend, TX 76824. Enjoy the scenery from the trail to avoid tramping this beloved environment. When she isnt running, she works as a trail content editor for Trail Run Project, where she now gets to spend her day dreaming about trails and adventuringthe perfect job since she cant run 24/7. This hike is one of the most beautiful and most popular hikes inside Rocky Mountain National Park. Dont poop above treeline. Season: All year round. The trail to the lake isnt particularly difficult, but it is long. Quandary Peak is one of the most hiked 14ers in Colorado. Lone Eagle Peak in the Indian Peaks Wilderness. Heavy snowfall shuts down the majority of hiking in the alpine environment due to avalanche concerns as well as intense cold weather. 5 Must-Have Hiking Essentials 1. The weather is very unpredictable in Colorado. Nearly every hiker who visits Rocky takes on the challenge of reaching Sky Pond. Tucked into the Sangre de Cristo Range, the Grand Sand Dunes are the tallest dunes on the continent, with heights up to 755 feet sitting below a scenic mountain backdrop. Photo Credit: johnnya123 (iStock). best practices. Helmet required. This loop combines The Palmer Trail to Buckskin-Charlie, Niobrara, and the Bretang Trail to make a tour-de-garden. The hike to Grays, and then onto Torreys gains a total of 3,479 feet in a little over four miles, following a section of the Continental Divide Trail. Dog-friendly. Leave it better than how you found. In the summer, youll find folks heading up St. Marys glacier to go skiing, or some will even jump into the glacial-fed lake! Parts of this ecosystem are fragile. There was an error processing your request. Distance: 1.6 milesElevation Gain: 232 feetDifficulty: EasyRed Tape and Local Tips: Dogs are not allowed and its $25 to enter the park. Its free. Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. For an added bonus, time your hike to catch the sunrise or sunset. Colorado Bend State Park. Distance: 14.6 milesElevation Gain: 2,375 feetDifficulty: moderate/difficultRed Tape and Local Tips: Dog-friendly. There are plenty of amazing hikes in Colorado, but this one will be very different. Photo Credit: Ashley Bennett. Answer the call of wanderlust with this beautiful emerald-green lake surrounded by picturesque granite peaks. If you are looking for some of the most dramatic mountain views in the United States, the San Juans are the place to be. Generally speaking, areas above 9,000 feet in springtime are definitely still covered in snow. If you are flying into Colorado, Denver International Airport is the best option. Some are better accessed with 4-wheel drive, and some are even only accessible by shuttle. You will have glimpses to the north of Garden of the Gods as you continue to climb. Explore the most popular trails in my list 101 most beautiful hikes in colorado with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. This is one of the best hikes in Colorado that sits just outside of Boulder meaning that it is only about a 30-minute drive away from Denver. Theres a $12 per-person permit required to hike. Also be aware of the fact that visitors are charged $25 per vehicle, $20 per motorcycle, and $15 per person to enter the park. Photo Credit: Spencer McKee, OutThere Colorado. For more information about hiking in the Boulder area, check out our article on the best hikes in Boulder. While opting for the alpine wonder is suitable for a wider range of hiking skill levels, Colorado 14er climbing is only recommend for the most experienced hikers. Be sure to admire the sunflowers in the summer. Pro Tip: If youre into hiking up peaks, this trailhead offers access to some of the best 13ers in Colorado. Therefore, hikers now have to pay $10 to enter 36 state parks in Colorado including Staunton, Roxborough, Golden Gate Canyon, and Saint Vrain. Come spring, the trail explodes in color. Longs Peak (Estes Park) Every peak bagger should add the 14,259-foot summit of Longs Peak to their bucket list. . Popular fall hiking can be found in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP), and near the towns of Vail and Aspen. Colorado offers thousands of miles of hiking trails: long, short, easy, tough, scenic, isolated, adventurous, family-friendly, even handicap accessible, and dog-friendly.Some are perfect for viewing the changing of the aspen trees in the fall, whereas others come to life every spring with colorful wildflowers. Especially in the fall and summer season, Rocky Mountain National Park is incredibly busy. Always understand that the weather generally comes from the west, and keep an eye on storms. While you wont fully escape the traffic noise of the nearby highways, the park is still a pleasant and convenient getaway due to its proximity to Golden and the western suburbs of Denver. Waste does not break down this high up. Rocky Mountain National Park is a truly breathtaking area and a great introduction to Colorado. Read moreabout us. Photo Credit: Erik Sommerfeld; American Institute of Architects. If you arent cozy pooping in a bag and packing it out, stay home. Some Colorado State parks and all National Parks have fees to enter the park. The towering red rock formations of Garden of the Gods create a memorable backdrop for this easily accessible hike located minutes from downtown Colorado Springs. As I was researching lodging near Estes Park, CO, for our 6th trip to hike Rocky Mountain National Park, I came across this list. Cross-referencing that app with All-Trails, or the Outbound App can prove for some awesome adventures. This section of the hike passes through a verdant high-alpine meadow where the wildflowers are plentiful in season. Distance: 6.0 milesElevation gain: 1,637 feetDifficulty: ModerateRed Tape and Local Tips: Dog-friendly and best used between June and September. Torreys sits at 14,267 feet and offers equally stunning views. The colors of summer grace hikers along Spruce Creek Trail to Mohawk Lakes. This spectacular out-and-back starts from Bear Lake before climbing to Dream Lake and Emerald Lake, two of the jewels of Rocky Mountain National Park. Breathtaking is an appropriate way to describe the loop in many ways, as the route gains more than 7,300 feet and climbs above 12,000 feet at four different passesBuckskin, Trail Rider, Frigid Airand West Maroon. Ive done all the leg work for you, hiking each of these trails over the years to bring you the real stand-out scenery in the Centennial State. With staple 14ers like Pikes Peak and Mount Evans towering above the Front Range and the Rocky Mountains to the west, the views on a clear day are astonishing. This trail is dirt and has some stairs to help with erosion, so if you prefer to stick to the paved path, you can bypass this trail and stay on the Perkins Central Garden Trail. Photo Credit: Stephen Martin, OutThere Colorado. , a short loop off the main paved path that leads to the base of the Sleeping Giant rock formation. Bag four mountain passes and more than 12,000 feet in elevation with this alpine trek near the mountain town of Aspen. Easily one of the most beautiful places in Colorado, Maroon Bells is home to some of the best hikes in Aspen. The unbelievable electric blue waters of Ice Lake make this one of the most scenic hikes in Colorado. The Chicago lakes hike provides a great way to hike and take in the views while avoiding the large groups of people that drive to the summit of Mt. A list of amazing hikes in Colorado, organized by the most iconic hikes and location. Many hikes include short drives from the Denver metro area, or from tourist towns in the mountains. Dont forget to bring your camera! Quick rainstorms and thunderstorms are also not uncommon up in the high country. Take in the history of the ruins while enjoying the scenery of the mountains and the city of Denver in the distance. The best times to climb are early morning or mid-evening to avoid heat exhaustion, lightning, and burned feet. This is a heavily trafficked area, so be sure to get there early. My brother and I are going to CO in July, this rlly helped narrow it down! For an added bonus, time your hike to catch the sunrise or sunset. Start no later than 2 am. or anything. To get to lake and back, you're looking at an 8.2-mile trek that gains 2,752 feet in elevation. While there is plenty of hiking all year round, hiking into the high alpine is best during July and August. Photo Credit: Adam-Springer (iStock). Photo Credit: MizC (iStock). Dog poop bags to carry out dog poop. Nestled in the Indian Peaks Wilderness lies the wow-worthy granite spectacle. It is common to spot mountain goats on the peak as well, so be awareespecially if you are hiking with a dog. Expect this hiking area to be very busy. The family have visited 15 national parks and visited 16 states - collecting a magnet for everyone. Near the southern end of the loop, you can branch onto the. Although its not technically a day hike, you cant mention the best hiking in Colorado without mentioning the Colorado Trail and Kenosha Pass. Colorado Maroon Bells - Crater Lake Reflection Horizontal. Popular hiking trails include the Garden of the Gods Loop, Rocks and Vistas Garden of the Gods, Susan G. Bretag and Palmer Loop, and Siamese Twins Loop. A little more than 6 miles in, you will turn onto the, . BISON PEAK 2. People die or get rescued off of this mountain every year for biting off more than they can chew. If you are searching for a first-time hike or are visiting the park for a single day, look no further than the hike to Emerald Lake. You dont have to venture far from the capital city to enjoy stunning mountain views. For this reason, it's best to always keep pets leashed. Three gorgeous mountain lakes are featured along this trail through a scenic glacial basin. Just outside of the main area of Rocky Mountain National Park, youll find the Lumpy Ridge area. Whether you plan to summit one or all four peaks, always plan toLeave No Trace. Free shipping for many products! Seven Bridges Trail, North Cheyenne Canon Park. Rapid weather changes can be expected on this high altitude trek. It also depends on the snow year. Hikers can bag four peaks in a single day trek including Mount Bross (14,172 feet), Mount Lincoln (14,286 feet), Mount Cameron (14,238 feet) and Mount Democrat (14,148 feet). Longs Peak. Distance: 3.5 milesElevation Gain: 1,530 feetDifficulty: moderate/difficultRed Tape and Local Tips: dog-friendly. Additional resources for planning a hiking trip to Colorado. As one of the topmost scenic hikes in Colorado, Hanging Lake is on everyones to-do list. Star Dune is the largest of them all. And if youre feeling energetic, you can always do this hike in tandem with several other treks in the area. Location: San Juans, near the town of Telluride. Featuring hiking trails found throughout the state, theres a breathtaking hike virtually anywhere! Distance: 6 milesElevation gain: 1,469 feetDifficulty: ModerateRed Tape and Local Tips: Dog-friendly. One of the best times to go is for the July wildflower bloom. Thats why they call it breckenwind! Its quintessentially Colorado and home to some of the most beautiful hiking trails in the state. Many hikers are turned around by high country weather. The unbelievably turquoise waters and surrounding mountains make it an incredibly beautiful adventure. The hike itself is quite moderate, it is steady uphill for most of the hike. Nature & Parks, State Parks. Summiting 14ers is a summer pastime for plenty of Coloradans, and a trip to Grays or Torreys provides insight into the allure of 14er peak bagging. Seriously, this is the least popular alpine lake hike in Colorado on this list, likely because so few people know about it. The Locals Guide to Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park. Can We Interest You in Some Of These Stories Instead? Access to the park is free, but finding parking can be a challenge, so consider arriving early or taking the free shuttle. Hopefully by 2023 the park will have permission to start . The trailhead starts off with a steep rocky ascent weaving through lush aspen wilderness toCrater Lake. We've been sharing our passion for the outdoors since 1938. Distance: 5.4 milesElevation Gain: 1,072Difficulty: moderateRed Tape and Local Tips: No dogs. Photo Credit:James Harris Photography, Yellow and pink varieties of wildflowers bloom along the alpine tundra as the creek waters gently tumble. Located in the mountains west of Boulder, Indian Peaks Wilderness is a remarkable wilderness area with miles of pristine trails and many access points on both sides of the Continental Divide. Photo Credit: Breanna Sneeringer, OutThere Colorado. When it comes to hiking in Colorado, there are year-round options. This article will mainly focus on some of the best day hikes. The city has narrowed down a new nature center in this area. A stunning hike near Glenwood Springs (also declared a National Natural Landmark), Hanging Lake features incredible alpine views and a fascinating trek through the rugged wilderness. If you're up for an early start, colorful sunrises and sunsets can be captured here. Garden of the Gods Perkins Central Garden Trail (Colorado Springs) AllTrails/Brian Mehringer. Photo Credit: James Walton. There is a chain link rope to help with the steepest section. Local Tip: If you love peak bagging check out Grays and Torreys Peak, two famous Colorado 14ers nearby. (Photo Credit: Hiking Project Contributor Evan Ovalle). The final climb is very rocky, and the going will be slow, but topping out at the official summit marker is well worth the effort. For killer views of eastern Colorado, Pikes Peak, and the Rocky Mountains check out Devils Head Lookout. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Regardless of the hike and weather conditions, you should always bring extra layers, extra food, and a first aid kit. The trail starts mellow and quickly builds up to steep elevation gains. Others also have parking fees. TheDecalibron Looptraverses over fourColorado 14ersin Pike National Forest located near the mountain town of Alma. The hike then loops back north along the Red Rocks Trail to return to the trailhead. If you are looking for the quintessential Indian Peaks hike, the out-and-back to Crater Lake from Monarch Lake offers a great mix of scenery and terrain, as well as a stunning destination. Distance: 1.5 milesElevation gain: 406 feetDifficulty: EasyRed Tape and Local Tips: no dogs allowed. Not all public lands are free to enter. Blue Lakes Trail, Mount Sneffels Wilderness. The trail is 18 miles out-and-back in length and climbs 2,719 feet in elevation as you weave through the lush landscapes of the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. Photo Credit: James Walton. The 8.7-mile out-and-back trail climbs steeply into the mountains starting from the base of the South Mineral Valley near Silverton. Backcountry campsites are available by permit if you need more time to enjoy the view! If youre looking for an easier alternative, opt for a shorter trek toHigh Dune. There is limited parking both at the main Chautauqua Park and along the street, and if you are visiting during peak hours or during the summer, consider taking the free shuttle from downtown. Located near Glenwood Springs (one of Colorados best mountain towns), getting to the Hanging Lake Trailhead is a breeze. If you can make it to the upper TH, youll knock off about 1,000 feet of gain and 3-ish miles of hiking round trip. After passing by the Sleeping Giant, continue past the base of the Three Spires and Cathedral Spire. Backcountry campsites are available by permit if you need more time to enjoy the view! Be Proactive. Its also one of the best hikes in Colorado since it features this super cool, narrow (its less than four-feet wide), 50-foot-long land bridge that youll need to traverse along the way. The High Dune gives a spectacular view of this one-in-a-kind national park. . It is recommended to go early in the morning or late in the evening. Please follow these rules when visiting and remember, when you're exploring to leave absolutely no trace. Due to the popularity of the hike, you must have a permit to hike the trail between May and October. Photo Credit: kjschoen (iStock). Prove for some awesome adventures the hike itself is quite moderate, is! Beloved environment continue past the base of the hike, you will onto... 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