An arsenal turned into a Wildlife Refuge. What a great idea! The refuge boasts over 15,000 acres and over 300 species of wildlife. It also hosts three lakes and Denver lake hikes. The Lakes Loop Trail at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge is a 1.7 mile loop that winds along the shores of two lakes in the park, Lake Mary and Lake Ladora. Explore the full trail profile for all the details: hiking trails, trail map, and detailed directions to the trailhead.
Trail Snapshot: Lakes Loop Trail at Rocky Mountain Arsenal
Hike Distance | 1.8 mile Round Trip |
---|---|
Difficulty | Easy |
Duration | Approx 1hr+ Round Trip |
Trail Type | Loop |
Seasons | All |
Dogs | Prohibited in the Refuge |
Hike Trail Map | Click for a Trail Map |
Denver Drive Time | 30 min |
Driving Directions to Lakes Loop Trail at Rocky Mountain Arsenal | Click for Google Map |
Town Nearest Hike | Commerce City, Colorado |
Beauty | Grassland, Front Range views, lakes wildlife: wild bison, deer, coyotes, bald eagles and burrowing owls |
Activities | Hiking trails, wildlife viewing, seasonal fishing |
How to Hike the Loop: Check in and begin your hike at the visitors center. Follow the Lake Mary Trail along the northwest of the lake until it merges with the the Prairie Trail. Follow the Prairie Trail to the south until it merges with the Ladora Trail which will take you back to the visitors center and along the shore of Lake Ladora.
Tips & Resources for Hiking Lakes Loop Trail at Rocky Mountain Arsenal :
- TIP: Hiking and site seeing are open 7 days a week. However, the visitors center is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, and pets are prohibited (makes sense – it’s a wildlife refuge).
- TIP: Trolley Tours are available on the weekends. Check out this tours link or call 303/289-0250.
- Trail Map for Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge: Trail Map Link
- Colorado Road Conditions: Colorado Road Conditions
- After the Hike: Butcher Block Cafe
- Photo: We would like to express our gratitude to Ray Fetherman for sharing such a beautiful photograph of this hike.
Weather
Map & Driving Directions
Click for Driving Directions
Aaron Johnson has been hiking in Colorado for over 20 years. The owner and editor of Dayhikes Near Denver, Aaron writes every trail profile as a local guide who has hiked hundreds of miles of trails along the Front Range and deep in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.