Great Hikes for Visiting Friends and Family
Looking for things to do near Denver, Colorado? Here is a list of hiking trails for visiting friends and family.
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10 Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park
If it's your first time visiting Rocky Mountain National Park and you're wanting to make the most of your visit, then this set of hikes is a great place to start. I've spent over six full months hiking the hundreds of miles of trails in RMNP, and we drive up with visiting family and friends to show them around. However, ...
7 Great Picnic Areas Near Denver
Looking for a great place to picnic near Denver, Colorado? As we have been profiling hiking trails close to Denver, we have taken notes on the best picnic areas. Criteria for these Denver Picnic Areas [unordered_list style="star"]
- At Least 1 Picnic Table
- Close to some great hiking
- Great Views or Natural Features
7 Hikes Near Denver for Your Fourth of July Weekend
7 Hikes Near Denver for Your Fourth of July Weekend Are you looking forward to hike this Fourth of July Weekend? Getting up into the mountains near Denver is a great way to cool off during the Fourth of July weekend. Colorado's wildflowers are in their glory and the mountain streams are still gushing with melt-water alongside the trails. But ...
Alberta Falls Hike at Rocky Mountain National Park
Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park is full of waterfalls and this hike takes you to one of the most accessible waterfalls in the park. Alberta Falls is one of the most popular, short destination hikes in the park, and for good reason. If you only have time for one short hike on the East Side of RMNP, this is a ...
Bear Lake Hike at Rocky Mountain National Park
From Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park (just 2 hours from Denver), you can launch out on dozens of hiking adventures, trails that range from less than a mile to full day treks back into Glacier Gorge or Andrews Creek. If you are visiting Colorado and looking for a high variety of trails or just a good place to ...
Beaver Brook Trail at Windy Saddle Park
One aspect that commends the Beaver Brook Trail hike to all ranges of ability and interest is its ease of editing. Need a short stroll to clear the mind? Take a stretch to the first vista and turn around. Ready to engage in a healthy, keep-your-wits challenge? Press ahead to the highest point on the trail, which this post describes ...
Chautauqua Loop Trail in Boulder
The Chautauqua Trail is an easy 3.6 mile loop hike along Boulder's Flatirons. The trails pass several historical sites: a quarry, cabin, shelter, and ski area as it weaves through the meadows and ponderosa forest of Chautauqua Park. About 40 minutes from Denver, the Chautauqua Loop hike makes for a great hike for visitors who are looking for stunning landscapes ...
Clear Creek Trail in Downtown Golden
Want a hike to please everyone?The Clear Creek Trail in Golden, Colorado is it! It's got shade, the kids can bring their bikes, and you can finish your hike with a stroll around downtown. We might get some flack for calling this a hike, because it runs through the business district of Golden, CO.But you can wear the soles of ...
Crags Hike Near Colorado Springs
The Crags Trail takes hikers up a 2-mile gradual hike to the the dramatic granite pinnacles on the shoulders of Pikes Peak to take in views of snowcapped peaks. A shaded creekside hike great for families and out-of-town guests, the Crags shows off summer wildflowers in mountain meadows. Explore the full Crags hike profile below for trail map, driving directions, ...
Devils Head Fire Lookout Hike
If you've not hiked to the top of the Devils head trail and climbed the 143 steps to the fire lookout, then I think you're not allowed to have one of those Colorado Native bumper stickers. The Devils Head trail is the classic Colorado Front Range hike and is just about an hour from the center of Denver. The views ...
Dream Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park
The hike to Dream Lake is one of the popular destination hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park--and for good reason. In the early morning hours, Dream Lake is a vision straight out of a fairy tale. This 2.2-mile, out-and-back hike begins at the Bear Lake trailhead and passes Nymph Lake along the way. Explore the full Dream Lake hike profile ...
Echo Lake Trail Near Mt. Evans
Colorado's Echo Lake is looped by an easy hiking trail and serves as a trailhead to even more classic Colorado hikes. When we have friends and family visiting Colorado from out of town, this is one of best destinations for a great views. Go early to Echo Lake to get perfect photos of Mount Evans reflected in the water. Explore ...
Eleven Mile State Park Interpretive Trail
Eleven Mile State Park feels like the proverbial "hidden in plain sight" gem. Situated off the commonly traveled Highway 24 between Colorado Springs and Buena Vista, this loop hike blesses visitors with uncommon beauty. Trekking around the 3.5+ mile trail serves up a superb buffet of Colorado's classic outdoors: aspen and evergreen forests, meadows, rocky crags, vistas of mountain ranges, ...
Enchanted Mesa Trail Near Boulder, Colorado
Boulder's Chautauqua park boasts some of the best hiking in Colorado, especially if you are looking for accessibility--many of the trailheads are right in town. The Enchanted Mesa trail lives up to its name. The dense pine forest and the wide curving path looks like something out of a fairy tale. It's a fairly easy hike, with a surprising amount ...
Evergreen Lake Trail
This Colorado hike (more of a stroll) is a perfect way to spend a Saturday morning. You can rent canoes and sailboats from the nature center and warming house. In the winter, the Evergreen Lake transforms into an ice skating wonderland. Explore this hike profile for all the details. Trail Snapshot: Evergreen Lake Trail Hike Distance 1.3 mile Round Trip ...
Fish Creek Falls Near Steamboat Colorado
A 284 foot waterfall! Need we say more. Fish Creek Falls is a 1/4 mile hike located just outside Steamboat Springs, Colorado--about 3.5 hours from Denver. The Fish Creek Falls Overlook trail is handicap accessible, and a second trail takes hikers down to the base of the falls. Explore the full Fish Creek Falls hike profile below for trail map, ...
Fountain Valley Trail at Roxborough State Park
The Fountain Valley trail in Colorado's Roxborough State Park is the Garden of the God's of Denver. It's more secluded than Red Rocks park, and features several trails that take you beyond the park boundaries and into the foothills. The Fountain Valley Trail is a perfect place to start because it features the best part of the park, it's towering ...
Garden of the Gods Ultimate Hiking Guide
Garden of the Gods is argueabley the best place to hike in Colorado Springs. Designated a National Natural Landmark, the park is known for its towering red sandstone formations and panoramic views of Pikes Peak. Hiking, Horseback riding, mountain biking, birding, and climbing are among the activities that can be enjoyed here. This guide to the Garden of the Gods ...
Georgetown Railroad Hike & Train Ride
After the hike, I asked our 7 year-old daughter what she thought of it. Her reply said it all, “Dad, it was awesome!” Here favorite parts were the fairy pond, a small, moss-rimmed pool probably created by miners long ago to hold drinking water, and the gleaming minerals in the rocks she picked up along the trail. I enjoyed the ...
Helen Hunt Falls in Colorado Springs
Helen Hunt Falls in Colorado Springs is a 35 foot waterfall requiring only a short walk from the parking area. For a longer and more demanding hike, visitors can take the 4 mile Columbine Trail from the bottom of Cheyenne Canyon to Helen Hunt Falls. This strenuous option affords and experience of the rich ecosystem of this canyon at the ...
Lakes Loop Trail at Rocky Mountain Arsenal
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 ...
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 ...
Mayflower Gulch Trail near Copper Mountain
Easy parking. Gentle elevation. Three miles round trip. And a ghost town? The Mayflower Gulch Trail gives you all this and a shockingly gorgeous basin to behold. On top of all this, the hike works well for families, especially if there exists any curiosity about the old west. The spacious gulch invites visitors to wander around and discover the fringes...a ...
Meyer Ranch Open Space Hikes
Meyer Ranch is just 30 minutes outside of Denver, Colorado and offers three different hiking trail options, ranging from 2.4 to 4.8 mile, easy to moderate hikes. Check out the three different hiking trail options for this hike near Conifer, Colorado. Trail Snapshot: Meyer Ranch Open Space Hikes Hike Distance 2.4 to 4.8 miles Round Trip Difficulty Easy to Moderate ...
Monarch Lake Loop Hike
The Monarch Lake Loop is a perfect family hike that leads 4 miles through shaded forest, across creeks, and along the shore of the lake. It's one of the more diverse, but easy, hikes in the area. Monarch Lake is a popular destination for canoeing, kayaking, and access to the Indian Peaks Wilderness area. Explore the full Monarch Lake Loop ...
Mount Falcon – Castle & Tower Hike
A hike to castle ruins in Colorado? Yep. Throw in a lookout tower, a great view of Denver, of Red Rocks, and of the mountains, and you've got some of the highlights of the Mount Falcon Trail. The trailhead is nestled in a community in the foothills just about 40 minutes from Denver. Here we detail a 2.3-mile loop trail ...
Mt. Evans Summit Hike
Mount Evans is one of Colorado's Front Range Fourteeners, and like Pikes Peak, Mt. Evans has a road that takes you to a trail just a few hundred feet shy of the summit where you are likely to see both Bighorn Sheep and Mountain Goats. The key to exploring Mount Evans is knowing the stops along the way. View our ...
Paint Mines Hike Near Colorado Springs
The Paint Mines trail takes hikers on an easy 3.7 mile loop through a badlands landscape of rainbow sandstone and hoodoo rock formations about 90 minutes south of Denver and 45 minutes east of Colorado Springs. Explore the full Paint Mines hike profile below for trail map, driving directions, and more tips and details to help you enjoy this adventure ...
Pine Valley Ranch Park Hike
Pine Valley Ranch Park has become one of our family's favorite parks near Denver. Pine Valley Ranch Park boasts several hikes, a beautiful lake, a lot of history, a small island with a gazebo, and the best picnic area on the Front Range of Colorado. If that's not enough, the North Fork of the Platte River runs through the park, ...
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, ...
Rifle Falls Hike Colorado
Rifle Falls is a 70 foot, triple waterfall in Rifle Falls State Park. It's just .1 mile hike to the base of the falls along a paved, handicap accessible trail. The caves hidden along the waterfall beckon those looking for more adventure. Explore the full Rifle Falls hike profile below for trail map, driving directions, and more of the details ...
Roxborough State Park Hiking Trails
Roxborough State Park is widely considered Denver's Garden of the Gods. Secluded in the foothills south of Littleton, Colorado, Roxborough State Park can feel like stepping into another world, especially when a light fog rest on the tops of the red rocks of Fountain Valley. Roxborough State Park is home to a variety of wildlife and migratory birds find the ...
South Rim Loop Trail at Roxborough State Park
The South Rim Loop Trail at Roxborough State Park is a moderate hike that leads to breathtaking views of the red rock formations that make this Colorado State Park famous. It's a perfect hike for a weekend afternoon, or a great choice for visiting family and friends. We also put this on our list for great hikes to take if ...
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.