We’ve sorted through our over 150 trails near Denver to locate the best hikes for taking in the Fall colors during September and early October in Colorado. If you want to go straight to our Top 10, then be sure to visit our Top 10 Fall Hikes Near Denver post. You can explore hikes by title or by map. The hikes that feature waterfalls are marked with a waterfall icon on the map.
Hiking Davis Ponds Hike at Staunton State Park
The Davis Ponds loop is a short and easy hike, perfect for young families. Davis Ponds is a great place to take your kids fishing near Denver. Explore the full trail profile below for all the details: hiking trails, trail map, and detailed directions to the trailhead. Staunton State Park is one of Colorado's newest gems and located just 45 ...
Horseshoe Trail at Golden Gate Canyon Park
The Horseshoe Trail in Golden Gate Canyon State Park is a wonderful hike for older kids, experienced and non-experienced hikers. It's a great trail for spotting wildlife, from birds to deer, viewing fall colors and wildflowers, and taking in the beautiful scenic view along the trail. Several of the backcountry campsites areas are also accessible from the Horseshoe trail. We'll ...
Horsethief Falls Hike Near Colorado Springs
Horsethief Falls is a small slab waterfall located 45 minutes from Colorado Springs on the West side of Pikes Peak. The Horsetheif Falls trail requires a 1.4-mile easy hike (one-way) to the falls. This hike, along with nearby Pancake Rocks make for great fall hiking and a scenic falls drive to see the golden aspens of the Colorado Front Range ...
Jasper Lake Hike in Indian Peaks
Jasper Lake requires a 5.5-mile (one-way) hike into the mountainous, wildflower-laden Indian Peaks Wilderness. Just 40 minutes outside of Boulder Colorado and about 1hr 15 minutes from Denver, the trail to Jasper Lake gets its start at the Hessie Trailhead. Travel an additional mile beyond Jasper to see Devils Thumb, a striking rock formation that looms above Devil's Thumb Lake ...
Kenosha Pass Hiking Trails
Kenosha Pass is probably the best place to view the changing aspens near Denver. It offers both an East and West trail option with gradual ascents to stunning views. Starting at 10,000' the initial elevation gain on the trails make for easy to moderately strenuous hikes, all depending on how far one decides to travel on these beautiful segments of ...
Long Lake Loop in Indian Peaks
Long Lake offers an easy 1.5 mile loop hike in Indian Peaks Wilderness. Located about 1 hour West of Boulder, Colorado, Long Lake is an easy-to-access alpine lake with stunning scenery. It's a popular spot, especially in the Summer months, so be sure to read the details on access fees and the notes below on the Long Lake Trailhead. Explore ...
Lost Lake Hike Near Nederland
Lost Lake is an accessible 4-mile round-trip hike to a beautiful alpine lake surrounded by the mountains of Indian Peaks. Just over one hour northwest of Denver, the trail up to lost lake takes you along the course of Middle Boulder Creek, a slide waterfall, a set of tumbling cascades, and a variety of wildflowers that decorate the borders of ...
Manitou Lake Hike Near Colorado Springs
Manitou Lake near Colorado Springs offers a pleasant and easy loop trail around its shores with views of Pikes Peak. It's also a great spot fishing and paddling on the 5-acres of water. There are nearby camping options detailed below. Explore the full Manitou Lake hike profile below for trail map, driving directions, campground info and more. Trail Snapshot: Manitou ...
Maxwell Falls Near Evergreen, Colorado
The Maxwell Falls hike is our most popular hike near Denver. Why? Because it's a perfect Colorado family hike with a variety of terrain, and it takes you to one of the closest waterfalls to Denver. Below, you'll find three different hike options: a one-mile hike, a three-mile loop, and a four-mile trek--all taking you to Maxwell Falls. IMPORTANT NOTES: ...
Moraine Park Loop Hike in Rocky Mountain National Park
The Moraine Park Loop encircles the golden meadows of Moraine Park in Rocky Mountain National Park. The morning mists rising from the Big Thompson River, and herds of grazing elk make for an enchanted landscape. In the evening, the setting sun brings shadows and light play to the valley floor. All of this is against the backdrop of the distant ...
Mt. Bierstadt Trail on Guanella Pass
Summit a Fourteener, Mount Bierstadt, or go for an easy hike with your family high in Colorado's Rocky Mountains. In short, you've got options on this trail near the top of Guanella Pass. You can choose an easy stroll or a difficult hike. Explore the trail snapshot and profile below for hiking, camping, and trail map info. Trail Snapshot: Mr ...
O Fallon Park Trails
These hiking trails near Evergreen, Colorado weave through the Bear Creek area in O'Fallon Park. It's a great place to launch into the Bear Creek Canyon area. Because there are a lot of options, be sure to download the trail map and look over the five different trail options listed below in the hike profile. Scroll down for the full ...
Ouzel Falls in Rocky Mountain National Park
Ouzel Falls spills over a cliffside and enormous boulders, making it arguably one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Rocky Mountain National Park. Before reaching this 40-foot falls, the trail traces the course of several creeks and leads hikers past three other cascade waterfalls. Explore the full Ouzel Falls hike profile below for trail map, driving directions, and more tips ...
Panorama Point Trail in Corwina Park
If you are fond of panoramic views, then the Panorama Point Trail in Corwina Park is what you may be looking for. At the top of this trail you will find a beautiful view that looks out to the mountains and the plains. This medium-difficulty hike also lets you hike along a babbling brook. Check out our snapshot below for ...
Raccoon Loop Hike in Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Our kids loved this 2.5 mile loop hike in Golden Gate Canyon State Park. The trail sports lots of shade, panoramic views of snowcapped peaks, wildflowers, and trickling brooks. Be sure to see the details below regarding an annual raptor closure that detours one segment of this hike. Explore the full Raccoon Loop Hike profile for trail map, driving directions, ...
Rattlesnake Gulch Trail at Eldorado State Park
The Rattlesnake Gulch trail takes you up the sides of Eldorado Canyon, one of Colorado's historic State Parks. This lollipop trail takes you past the ruins of the Crags Hotel, then on to gain views of the Continental Divide. Scroll down to look over the trail snapshot, then explore the trail details and tips below for this rewarding hike in ...
Section 16 Hike near Manitou Springs
Nestled between Manitou Springs on the west and Colorado Springs on the east, the Manitou Section 16 Open Space overlaps with the Red Rock Canyon Open Space to the north, just off Highway 24. Both of these systems connect to two other regional parks, creating a massive complex of trails that delights hikers of all ages and abilities. This route ...
Sprague Lake Loop Hike in Rocky Mountain National Park
At Sprague Lake you'll find an easy loop hike with some stunning views of the mountains that make Rocky Mountain National Park famous. It's a perfect hike in RMNP for young families because the trail is short and has no real elevation gain. With diverse wildlife and a beautiful, peaceful lake, this is one of those spots you should not ...
St. Vrain Mountain Hike
The St. Vrain Mountain trail is just a 3-mile hike into Indian Peaks Wilderness to stunning views of the rocky peaks of Wild Basin. Hike up and additional 1.5 miles from the RMNP boundary to the summit of St. Vrain mountain for 360-degree panoramic views of a wildflower-laden wilderness. Explore the full St. Vrain Mountain hike profile below for trail ...
Top 10 Fall Hikes Near Denver with Aspens
Enjoy the Fall Colors of Colorado with these Trails near Denver with Changing Aspens Where can you find hikes near Denver to view the changing aspens and fall colors? We've looked through all our hiking profiles to identify trails near Denver that are decorated with glowing aspens in the Fall. Some of these Autumn Colorado hikes have spectacular drives to ...
Ultimate Guide to Maroon Bells in Colorado
The Maroon Bells offer several hikes and some of the most beautiful scenery in Colorado. It's a Rocky Mountain landscape painted with cascades, lakes, golden aspens, and all against the backdrop of the peaks of the Maroon Bells. This guide to the Maroon Bells features 5 different hiking trail options, spanning from easy hikes to moderately demanding. Because traffic in ...
Map of Fall Hikes Near Denver
Photo Credit: Open Gate with aspens by Cat Mayer
