Where are the best places to hike in the winter months near Denver? Snow-covered trails and blue skies that seem to stretch into forever, that’s winter hiking in Colorado. Winter sets in from November through most of March along the Front Range, and some years we’ve had snow as late as May–later back in the nearby mountains. The trails we’ve chosen for this set of top 10 winter hikes keep you close to Denver, are easy or moderately demanding, and explore a variety of landscapes. Because Winter weather in Colorado is both breathtaking and unpredictable, it’s critical that hikers embark on their adventures well-prepared. So, before you lace up your boots and hit the trail, be sure to download and review our Free Hiking Guide to help you prepare and pack smart for your dayhikes. Additionally, take some time to review our 10 Winter Hiking Tips.
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Spruce Mountain Hikes Near Larkspur
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Elk Meadow Park – South Loop Hike
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Hikes at Red Rocks Park
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Mount Falcon Castle & Tower Hike
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South Valley Park Trails
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Castlewood Canyon State Park Trails
- Waterfall Hike at Castlewood Canyon State Park
- Cliff & Climbers Trail at Castlewood Canyon State Park
- Homestead Trail at Castlewood Canyon State Park
- Cave Trail at Castlewood Canyon State Park
- Canyon View Nature Trail at Castlewood Canyon State Park
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Emerald Lake Hike in Rocky Mountain National Park
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Hikes in Roxborough State Park
- Carpenter Peak Trail
- Elk Valley Trail
- Fountain Valley Trail
- South Rim Loop Trail
- Willow Creek Trail at Roxborough State Park
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Mt. Galbraith Loop via the Cedar Gulch Trail
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Dream Lake Hike in Rocky Mountain National Park
Distance: 1.5-Mile Round Trip & 4-Mile Loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Drive Time from Denver: 50 Minutes
Why We Love this Winter Hike:
Spruce Mountain is easy to access off of interstate 25 but far enough away from the hustle and bustle of things that you feel enveloped by the landscape. You have out-and-back and a loop trail option that traces the outer rim so that you can take in the panoramas of rolling green hills south of Larkspur, Colorado. The best part about this hike are the views of Pikes Peak in the south. Most of Winter, this area of Douglas County is fairly mild. There will be cold days, but the snow melts fast and the trail is rarely muddy.
Distance: 2.6 Miles
Difficulty: Easy
Drive Time from Denver: 35 Minutes
Why We Love this Winter Hike:
Elk Meadow Park is a family friendly place to hike just outside of beautiful Evergreen, Colorado. This short loop hike takes you through some beautiful winter landscapes, by huge ponderosa pines, and a chance to see the elk that gather and browse in the valley. We love just how close these trails at Elk Meadow Park are to Denver and visiting the quaint town of Evergreen afterwards to grab some pizza or a coffee. You can add a walk along the edges of Evergreen Lake to fill out your day to watching or joining the locals ice skating. Pack your hat and gloves and a thermos full of hot chocolate for a great winter day trip.
Distance: 6 Miles Round Trip and 1.4-Mile Loop
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Drive Time from Denver: 25 to 30 Minutes
Why We Love this Winter Hike:
We love these trails for two reasons: 1) they are just 25 minutes from Denver, and 2) the rock formations are absolutely beautiful–especillay when the winter white of snow sets in contrast with the pink and orange hues of the surrounding rock formations. Red Rocks Park can be hiked on two different trails. Wander through the meadows of the Red Rocks Trail for more expansive views of this unique area, or take the Trading Post trail through a valley of impressive Red Rock formations. You can’t beat the proximity to Denver at this historic landmark just west of the city.
Distance: 2.3-Mile Loop
Difficulty: Easy
Drive Time from Denver: 40 Minutes
Why We Love this Winter Hike:
There are ruins of an old castle–need we say more. This is one of my favorite places to take a photo of the front range mountains. Set the castle ruins in the foreground and the snowcapped range of Indians Peaks and James Peak Wilderness in the background (see photo above). This winter hike is just a short drive from Denver and will offer you views from one of Denver’s most famous foothill mountains. From up on Mt. Falcon, you can also take in views of the city of Denver stretched out below. Be sure to read our full trail profile so that you take this hike from the upper trailhead, otherwise you’ll have a a steep hike accessing the main trails.
Distance: 0.5 mile to 3 Miles
Difficulty: Easy
Drive Time from Denver: 30 Minutes
Why We Love this Winter Hike:
When the snow falls, the surrounding sounds of the city soften and this valley transforms into a walk back in time, making South Valley Park another great choice for hiking during winter in South Denver. The valley is located near the Ken Caryl neighborhood, tucked away behind the hogbacks and enclosed by red rock formations. When we lived in Littleton, this was my favorite after-work and early-morning escape. The trails here get a lot of sun and are mostly a gravel base, so they dry quickly and are a more reliable choice for those who want to avoid a muddy adventure.
Distance: 1/4 Mile to 4 Miles
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Drive Time from Denver: 50 Minutes
Why We Love this Winter Hike:
Quiet. That’s why we like hiking Castlewood Canyon in the winter, especially after a fresh snowfall. Castlewood Canyon State Park is hidden away in the plains near Castle Rock and Parker. Because it’s out east and off the beaten path, it’s an often overlooked even though it’s a Colorado State Park. When it snows, the canyon becomes a great place to look for animal tracks and to take in the sounds of snow-covered Cherry Creek as it trickles alongside the path. The trails feature: a waterfall, stream, homestead ruins, caves and clefts. Explore the different trails we’ve profiled in Castlewood Canyon State Park:
Distance: 3.6 Miles Round Trip
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Drive Time from Denver: 2 Hours
Why We Love this Winter Hike:
First of all, we love this winter hike because it’s in one of most favorite places on earth, Rocky Mountain National Park. The second reason is the trail weaves past a set of lakes to a jaw-dropping view of frozen Emerald Lake and Hallet Peak in the background. This hike is a classic, and short, but it’s going to be more challenging in the winter. You’re likely going to need snowshoes for this, and the best place to rent snowshoes is at the Estes Park Mountain Shop. If you have more fuel in your tank, then consider adding frozen Alberta Falls to your adventure.
Distance: 2.3 to 6.2 Miles
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Drive Time from Denver: 45 Minutes
Why We Love this Winter Hike:
The contrast of massive red rock formations against the soft, white snow makes winter hikes in Roxborough feel like a walk through a enchanted wonderland. Scan the skies for Golden Eagles and Red Tail Hawks catching thermals above the valley floor. It’s important to note before you make the drive that, like nearby Waterton Canyon, no dogs are allowed in Roxborough State Park. A Colorado State Parks pass or fee is required to access the park. We’ve profiled five different hikes in Roxborough State Park and you can explore all the links below. I’d recommend starting with the Fountain Valley Trail to get teh best views of the park’s most beautiful features.
Distance: 4.9-Mile Lollipop Loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Drive Time from Denver: 25 Minutes
Why We Love this Winter Hike:
Mt. Galbraith near Golden, Colorado has spectacular views into two canyons and into the city of Golden. The trail is about a 25-minute drive from Denver, and it makes for a quick escape from the busyness of urban life to breathe in the fresh air of the foothills. This trail is another great hike for winter and is perfect for avid hikers but still accessible to beginners. It’s gotten quite popular, so we suggest you hike this trail early in the morning or on a weekday. Note that it has a northern side that doesn’t see as much sunshine, so this trail can get icy during certain times of winter. I’ve not needed Traction Devices, but they are always smart to carry when negotiating winter trails. And I almost always bring Trekking Poles with me to take the pressure off my knees and to help me hike over slick and muddy terrain. Traction Devices
Distance: 2.2 Miles Round Trip
Difficulty: Easy
Drive Time from Denver: 2 Hours
Why We Love this Winter Hike:
With scenery straight out of a storybook, the hike to Dream Lake is one of the best known hikes in RMNP. Because it gets a lot of foot traffic, the path from Bear Lake to Dream Lake is packed down and easily discernible, but be sure to check with a ranger at Bear Lake before making this short hike. You can also check trail conditions page for RMNP which is updated on a regular basis for the most travelled trails in the park.because after even a moderate snowfall, you may need snowshoes. We recommend renting snowshoes at the Estes Park Mountain Shop.
Photo Credits: Thanks goes out to Adam Meek for his winter photo of Roxborough State Park. And to Jack for his photo of Castlewood Canyon.
