This trail up to the top of North Table Mountain is relatively easy aside from a moderate incline at the start. This easier summit has amazing views of the nearby Indian Peaks Wilderness. If you have any tips for the best places to go hiking in Santa Fe, please leave your trail recommendation in the . Bring a tube, hike up-stream, and float to the Clear Creek RV Park. At just over 30 minutes from Denver, this short hiking trail is accessible to all levels of hikers - there's a bit of a steep ascent . Note: This website participates in affiliate marketing. GEOLOGIC OVERLOOK TRAIL. Mayflower Gulch is one of the easiest and most scenic hikes near Denver. The 15 sites at West Chicago Creek sit near the trails in the Mount Evans wilderness. There are so many hikes to choose from located less than 2 hours from Denver, it was almost hard to narrow down this list! This hike gives you not only breathtaking views of the Rockies to the west but also skyline views of the city of Denver to . All the trails listed in this guide are within an 2 hours of Denver. You will find several trails, some actually very . The elevation is demanding and you must take care to start your trip before sunrise in order to avoid bad weather. It’s also stuffed with people (boo). From the trailhead, follow the well-marked path to the falls. To be honest with you, I probably can’t count that high! Distance: 3.5 milesElevation Gain: 1,530 feetDifficulty: moderate/difficultDog-Friendly: YesDistance from Denver: 61 miles, 1 hour 10 minutesCrowd Level: moderate. The best time to hike these easy hiking trails near Denver is from late June until late September. RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post. Found inside – Page 222In 1900 the owners of the Denver Post requested parole for Packer as part of a beautiful Powderhorn publicity maneuver for ... The trail climbs steadily and fairly steeply through forests of ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, juniper, aspen, ... The first 2 miles are relatively flat, but the last 1.2 miles ascends roughly 1,000 feet to the Devil's Causeway . The author, Pete KJ, breaks down each hike, giving you details on every trail, including its difficulty, how kid-friendly it is and — crucial for this time of year — which season the trail is best for. Difficulty: Hard Alright, technically this is not an easy hike. The part closest to Durango offers great day-hiking and multi-day hiking opportunities - making your excursions as long or as short as you want. If you love sledding there are plenty of spots to whisk your way downhill here too. - Cherry Creek Country Club Use a small ziplock baggy and pack out all used toilet pper. Denver and dog-friendly are almost synonymous, as the city is widely known for its acceptance of dogs — at bars, restaurants, hotels, shops and parks. This hike is a short and sweet jaunt, an easy 1.4 mile out and back, with a huge wildflower payoff. Local Tip: This peak sees fierce winds year-round. Leo, a 3-month-old goldendoodle (CQ, one word), gets a ride to the top of Chief Mountain from Megan Hubbard of Denver. Evergreen, Colorado brings the high alpine right to your hiking boots, without the grueling gain and thin air. This 3.6-mile trail passes by Bear Lake, Nymph Lake, and Dream Lake. Local Tip: Watch out for rattlesnakes in the spring. Nestled in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness Area of the San Isabel National Forest, the mountain ekes out 14er status by just 3 feet. This hiking trail near Denver is great for wildflower season. Local Tip: Parking here is quite limited so you’ll probably have to take a shuttle to Fern Lake Trailhead. An out and back trail with a gradual elevation gain to 12,018ft, it traces an old mining road deep in the forest, following Mayflower creek and eventually leading past crumbling log cabins, rusty mining equipment and an abandoned ore chute - the remains of a failed gold mining town. Located in the heart of the city, Forest Park is brimming with beautiful hikes for local families to explore. You’ll want to get here before 7 am on weekends to get parking. Distance: 6.7 milesElevation Gain: 1,200 feetDifficulty: easy/moderateDog-Friendly: YesDistance from Denver: 31 miles, 45 minutesCrowd Level: High. As one of the most scenic lake hikes in Colorado, Emerald Lake and Dream Lake is a must-do hike. If you're looking for a nice easy opportunity to see the sights without working up a sweat, this is the Denver hiking trail for you. Found inside – Page 72It is found 12 km along the Bear Creek Forest Service Road along a rough side road that becomes overgrown. ... Off Highway 31A near New Denver, this small lake can be fairly good for small rainbow in the spring. Found beneath the alpine ... You can’t go hiking near Denver and not see St Mary’s Glacier. These easy hikes take you into the heart of the best scenery of Rocky Mountain National Park. One of the best wildflower hikes in the Telluride area is the trail to Hope Lake. The location is accessible as well; the trailhead is just off of I-70 near Frisco! Another excellent hike less than 30 minutes from Denver, the Windy Saddle Lookout Mountain Trail delivers awesome views (you can see the Continental Divide on a clear day). Never liter on the trail. So instead, I’ve decided to give you a wide range of the best hikes near Denver so you can pick and choose your favorite Denver hiking trail. As an easy day hike near Denver, you can get this one done in less than an hour, making it ideal if you’re short on time. The best time to hike these easy hiking trails near Denver is from late June until late September. Another beautiful landscape nestled in the southern foothills, Roxborough State Park has plenty of easy hiking options. These 600-plus-foot walls are enormous. With a roaring creak running through the park, it’s a beautiful place to enjoy some easy hikes near Denver. Distance: 488 miles (Denver to Durango) Elevation Gain: 88,750 feet; Route type: Point to point The route is a series of stairs up an un-shaded hillside. While you're waiting why not follow me on socials? Tell someone what your plan is. At the lookout, you can spot several of Colorado’s most famous 14ers and catch a glimpse of the Continental Divide. Distance: 8.3 milesElevation Gain: 1,125 feetDifficulty: easy/moderateDog-Friendly: YesDistance from Denver: 18 miles, 30 minutesCrowd Level: Very high. Can you spot the ones you’ve summited? However, there is a reson it’s so popular – it’s jaw-dropping. However, this area has grown in popularity over the years. Carve out some time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park. This comprehensive look at the best day hikes near Denver is a labor of love. Both trails are about the same in difficulty, the difference being that Herman Gulch is one of the most popular trails in the state - with good reason, it's dramatic and beautiful. - Cherry Creek Mall If you’re new to hiking, definitely check out my ultimate guide to hiking for beginners before you hit the trail. This family-friendly trail is perfect for small children. Head to the Herman Gulch Trailhead and go left for Herman or opt to explore Watrous Gulch, its lesser-trafficked neighbor to the right. Distance: 6.7 milesElevation Gain: 2,631 feetDifficulty: hardDog-Friendly: YesDistance from Denver: 61 miles, 1 hour 10 minutesCrowd Level: low. It’s pretty straight forward and the trail actually goes along for quite a bit if you want to continue to work those legs. Local Tip: Add in Bergen Peak or other nearby loops to make this hike more challenging. And while those things can easily be found by locals, it can be a challenge for out of state visitors to get past the full trail-heads and stop and go hiking traffic, only to find wilderness that . Jones Pass Road. $5 entry fee to the park. Check weather reports before attempting. Check your inbox for instructions on your FREE hiking checklist. Distance: 8 milesElevation Gain: 2,949 feetDifficulty: difficultDog-Friendly: YesDistance from Denver: 44 miles, 50 minutesCrowd Level: moderate once you leave St Marys. The best part is that you rarely see anyone while you're hiking. 1. When it comes to easy hikes near Denver, these trails can’t be missed. Evergreen captures the essence of the foothills. Distance: 25.4 milesElevation Gain: 921 feetDifficulty: moderateDog-Friendly: YesDistance from Denver: 51 miles, 1 hr 20 minutesCrowd Level: medium to high. Difficulty: Hard Distance: 3.5 milesElevation Gain: 1,530 feetDifficulty: moderate/difficultDog Friendly? One of my favorite day hikes near Denver is Lake Haiyaha. Part of the expansive Denver Mountain Park system, the . One of the best family hikes near Denver, this trail starts with a beautiful drive into the canyon on Bear Creek Road. Although I wouldn’t personally recommend it – it’s an area classic. The hike tops out with awesome views of Denver and if you’re lucky, you can spot the snow-capped peaks of the Continental Divide in the distance. Found inside – Page 190THE TEN BEST THINGS TO DO AND SEE IN ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK Serious hikers spend days and even weeks in this ... Before or after visiting the museum , follow a short nature trail what winds into the thin ponderosa forest above . Rocky Mountain High: Colorado's Best Waterfall Hikes. Plan accordingly. From Denver proper, the drive to Estes Park will take about 1.5-2 hours. This means hiking all of the trails in a particular area. Enjoy the bright red rock fins as you make your way across the valley floor. Local Tip: This area is prone to annual closures for hunting. : yes. Four Mile Historic Park Members: FREE Garden of the Gods, Boulder Hike, Chataqua Park Hike, Red Rocks Hike, and more! The trail itself is a 6.3 mile out-and-back trail that branches off to many more trails in the Arapaho National Forest that you can explore. Found inside – Page 238The Greatest Views, Wildlife, and Forest Strolls Stewart M. Green. Appendix. A: Further. Reading. 2019. D'Antonio, Bob. Hiking Colorado's Front Range (2nd Edition). ... Best Hikes Near Denver and Boulder. Even as a local Coloradan of over 11 years, I still sometimes have trouble with high altitude hiking. Seniors (65+) & Military (with ID): $4.00 Just stay away from the backside of the lake (this is avalanche terrain and it slides regularly). Southeastern Colorado holds a huge secret. It's such an enchanting trail, with great views and even a waterfall. And yea, I want you to experience the best hikes near Denver in as much solitude as possible – just like the pros. Enjoy beautiful views of the nearby foothills under the cover of the pines. Check out the ultimate guide to hiking Colorado’s 14ers for more tips. Mount Morrison offers a great spot to train for bigger hikes and 14ers. Make sure someone knows your plans in case something goes wrong. Where and how to go trail running in Colorado with kids. Located in the White River National Forest, the Mayflower Gulch trail near Frisco takes hikers back in time. If you’re ready for a lung-buster then top out at St Mary’s Glacier with a romp up James Peak. Painted Rocks Campground. Photo: trevorklatko. Distance: 1.6 milesElevation Gain: 141 feetDifficulty: EasyDog-Friendly: Yes. These actual trails (read, not loops in city parks) offer up some scenic views of the Front Range and the eastern plains. 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