If you are looking for a family hike near Denver, this is a perfect trail, especially if you are getting started hiking with your kids in Colorado and want to guarantee a good experience. It’s short, there’s wildlife, and the Lookout Mountain Nature Center. Take a picnic lunch, just watch out for the squirrels; they’ll run of with your dessert if you don’t watch them closely. Explore the full Meadow & Forest Loop Trails hike profile below for trail map, driving directions, and more tips and details to help you enjoy this family adventure.
Hike Distance | 0.6 & 0.8 Mile Loops |
---|---|
Difficulty | Easy |
Duration | Approx 30 min |
Trail Type | Loop |
Seasons | Hours Vary |
Dogs | Not Allowed |
Hike Trail Map | Click for a Map of Meadow & Forest Loop Trails at Lookout Mountain Nature Center |
Denver Drive Time | 30 min |
Driving Directions to Lookout Mountain Nature Center | Click for Google Map |
Town Nearest Hike | Golden, Colorado |
Beauty | Front Range views, ponderosa pine, wildlife: Abert’s squirrels, and deer |
Activities | Hiking, nature center, picnic area, birdwatching |
Lookout Mountain Nature Center has 2 short loop hikes. If you have young children, this is a perfect trip. The trails at Lookout Mountain are short loops: 1- The Meadow Loop (.8 mile) & 2 – Forest Loop Trail (.6 mile). If you are looking for a longer hike, you can cross the street and take the Lookout Mountain Trail which connects to several other Jefferson County Parks and trails.
The nature center is a great place for your kids to learn about Colorado wildlife. The playroom has texture sames of bark, fur, animal tracks, and the biggest box of stuffed animal puppets you’ll ever see. The last time we visited, our daughter didn’t want to leave. Take a lunch and have a picnic under the towering Ponderosa Pines. We encountered 2 deer with their fawns along the Forest Loop trail. The immediate area around the nature center is handicap accessible.
Tips & Resources for Hiking Meadow & Forest Loop Trails at Lookout Mountain Nature Center
- TIP: If you take Lookout Mountain Road from Golden, it’s a beautiful drive. However, on the weekends, this road has a ton of cycling traffic. So, plan for a slow drive.
- TIP: Visit the Boettcher Mansion next door
- Trail Map for Lookout Mountain Nature Center: Trail Map Link
- Packing List: Always pack the 10 Essentials. Download our Hiking Guide to get the list and dayhiking packing checklist.
- Colorado Road Conditions: Colorado Road Conditions
- After the Hike: Louis’ Cafe
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.
For all those parents who want to get your kids up and moving in the great outdoors, this is a perfect place! I can’t say enough about how easy it is for small kiddos and parents! Better to go during the weekdays or early in the mornings on the weekend just because of the popularity. One of our favorite places to go on a whim.
Does the picnic area have a covered roof. How much does it cost to rent ?
I searched the Jeffco parks website and can’t tell. I’d recommend contacting them. You’ll find their contact info on this page: http://jeffco.us/open-space/contact/
Scroll down to bottom right for phone number.