Colorado
It's hard to beat what the Rockies have to offer. A plethora of world-class skiing in the winter, and all the hiking, backpacking, camping, mountain biking, and rafting you could hope for in the summer. Looking for a challenge?Maybe try your hand at one of Colorado's 14,000 ft peaks (there's somewhere between 53 and 58, depending who you ask).
Top Spots in and near Colorado
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Estes Park, Colorado
Nymph Lake via Bear Lake Trailhead
4.81.13 mi / 276 ft gainWhile not as popular as Dream Lake, Nymph Lake is just as beautiful. The hike to Nymph Lake is an easy hike just over 1 mile. You start from the Bear Lake Trail head and can go further on to Dream Lake and Emerald Lake if you want to. Both Dream and Emerald Lakes are also stunning and very photog...Read more -
Estes Park, Colorado
Black Lake Trail
5.09.17 mi / 1444 ft gainThe Black lake hike begins at the very popular Glacier Gorge trailhead along Bear Lake road in Rocky Mountain National Park. During the summer and weekends, the park shuttle may be the best parking option as the lot is often full by 7am and can be difficult to find a spot throughout the day. Fr...Read more -
Durango, Colorado
Summit 3 Peaks in the Chicago Basin
5.0I tell people all the time that if they only do one hike in Colorado, this is it. You get a little taste of everything: Colorado history, wildlife, beautiful campsite views, 14ers, and the largest wilderness in the state.This itinerary assumes you’re hitching a ride on the train from Silverton. ...Read more -
Larimer County, Colorado
Lake Haiyaha
5.03.64 mi / 1033 ft gainBegin the hike at the Bear Lake trailhead, this will be the same for any season you chose to hike to the lake. From the Bear Lake trailhead follow the Dream Lake trail for ~1.05 miles to just before Dream Lake itself. The trail is very easy to follow up to this point in all seasons. In winter the...Read more -
Jefferson, Colorado
Camping at Lost Park Campground
4.5This campground is a great spot to crash at before heading out on a backpacking trip through the Lost Creek Wilderness but serves as an amazing campground itself. The area immediately surrounding the campground is beautiful. There are 12 campsites that can accomodate two vehicles per site and eac...Read more -
Glenwood Springs, Colorado
Glenwood Hot Springs
4.5Glenwood is best known for its large hot springs pool, kept between 90 and 93 degrees, while the minerals in the water are meant to provide a natural therapy to the body. There is also a smaller therapy pool, at 104 degrees, and a spa, as well. You'll find all the amenities you need here, and wi...Read more -
Buena Vista, Colorado
Mt. Belford and Mt. Oxford
4.510.34 mi / 5856 ft gainYou'll being your ascent at the Missouri Gulch Trailhead, which is located a few miles up Chaffee County Road 390, at around 9,600 feet. The trail is very clear and very well maintained, but is steeper than most trails (even quite a few of the 14er trails I've done) right from the get-go. Remembe...Read more -
Estes Park, Colorado
Ptarmigan Lake via Bear Lake Trailhead
11.33 mi / 3839 ft gainThe hike to Ptarmigan Lake has plenty of elevation gain for mountain lovers and views for miles from the Continental Divide. If you want to reach this spot for sunrise you'll need a very early start in the morning, but that also means you won't have to use the shuttle system to Bear Lake. The las...Read more -
Estes Park, Colorado
Drive Old Fall River Road
4.6This amazing drive starts after entering at the Fall River Entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park (although any entrance will work this is just the fastest route). Follow Fall River Road just past Sheep Lakes and take your first right onto Endo Valley Rd. From here travel to the Endovalley picn...Read more -
Idaho Springs, Colorado
Bierstadt, Evans, and The Sawtooth Loop
4.59.76 mi / 3438 ft gainStarting from the oddly poorly marked Guanella Pass Trailhead (Google maps directions to Guanella Campground and then drive about two miles past it to the south), the trail heads southeast toward Bierstadt, and much of your route to the first summit is visible from the parking lot. The trail to ...Read more -
Ridgway, Colorado
Explore Twin Falls in Yankee Boy Basin
While small, Twin Falls sits in the extremely photogenic backdrop of Yankee Boy Basin. To reach the falls 7.5 miles outside of Ouray follow Camp Bird road for 4.7 miles before taking a right onto Yankee Boy Basin Road. After 2.8 miles you'll reach one of several small parking areas on the left ...Read more -
Silver Plume, Colorado
Torrey's Peak via Kelso Ridge
5.05.79 mi / 2982 ft gainThe start of this route up the Kelso Ridge is the same as doing the standard route of Gray's and Torrey's peaks. From the trailhead cross the large metal bridge and continue on the great trail as it slowly climbs away from the parking lot and trailhead. This first section is not steep, but prov...Read more -
Estes Park, Colorado
Peacock Pool
7.9 mi / 2438 ft gainThe peacock pool is a cool little tarn below the outlet to Chasm Lake. Please note that this adventure is best done in the winter/spring when snow is present to prevent erosion in the sensitive area. That is how the description will be written, assuming winter conditions. The approach is the sa...Read more -
Evergreen, Colorado
Hike the Resthouse/Lincoln Lake Trail
4.5While the Mt. Evans Wilderness never has a shortage of visitors, thanks to its proximity to Denver, it is possible to find a more private hike if you know where to look. Lincoln Lake Trail, accessible from Echo Lake year-round, is not as glamorous as its sister trail, Chicago Lakes, but is a wond...Read more -
Golden, Colorado
Hike to Forgotten Valley
4.33.6 mi / 852 ft gainThere are over 35 miles of hiking trails in the park. The twelve trails in Golden Gate Canyon State Park are named after an animal and marked with the animal’s footprint.For a 2.6 round trip hike, start at the Burro Trailhead in Golden Gate Canyon State Park. You’ll immediately cross over a lit...Read more -
Creede, Colorado
Photograph North Clear Creek Falls
4.0This 100 ft. waterfall is close to Colorado 149 on the Silver Thread Scenic Byway. To access the falls turn onto FR 510 from the northern entrance and head south for .5 miles. Turn left into the North Clear Creek Falls Observation Site, from there it's a short walk to the falls.Being out in the...Read more
