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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Manitou Springs, Colorado
Hike to Mt. Rosa
4.83.7 mi / 1322 ft gainTo get to the trailhead start on Old Stage Rd. After 11 miles turn right onto Forest Service Rd 379. This is a 4WD road. A small/large SUV, or truck should do the trick, nothing too crazy though. Drive on FS 379 for 1.5 miles until you come to an open field on the right known as Frosty Park. Ther...Read more -
Nathrop, Colorado
Explore the St. Elmo Ghost Town
3.8If you're willing to go off the beaten path to a neat little ghost town, St. Elmo, Colorado is the place for you! About 2 and a half hours west of Colorado Springs, Colorado lies the town of St. Elmo, high up in the White River National Forest.The town itself was founded in 1880 when they discov...Read more -
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Mt. Muscoco Trail
4.83.66 mi / 1453 ft gainThe Basics: Mt. Muscoco (8020 ft.) is one of the easier summits in the Colorado Springs Front Range area, and you are quickly rewarded with 360 degree views after climbing 1.8 miles and 1,400 feet. The path is well-defined and maintained after it was reconstructed in 2015. Pack water and a light ...Read more -
Grand Lake, Colorado
Camp at Stillwater Pass
4.6Some of my best nights in Colorado were spent in Stillwater Pass. There are numerous campsites with remade fire pits. I found this site when the Timber Creek Campground in Rocky Mountain National Park was full and I did not want to head back to Denver. There is a photo of a white plastic horse a...Read more -
Ward, Colorado
Shoshoni Peak
5.010.61 mi / 2470 ft gainHike one of the most scenic 12ers in Colorado's front range, Shoshoni Peak, with an elevation of 12,967 feet. You can easily combine a summit of Pawnee Peak for wonderful views of multiple alpine cirques. Enjoy wonderful views of the Long Lake Valley, Isabelle Glacier, and Pawnee Pass regions. Fo...Read more -
Breckenridge, Colorado
Backpack & Fish The Mohawk Lakes
4.06.8 mi / 1940 ft gainThe trailhead is located a few miles out side of Breckenridge Colorado. The trail starts at 10,390' and the first two miles are spent walking through a mix of fir, aspen, and spruce trees until the trail goes parallel to Spruce Creek Road and eventually crosses it and continues over a small dam (...Read more -
Allenspark, Colorado
Backpack to Bluebird Lake
4.012.23 mi / 2608 ft gainStarting at the Wild Basin trailhead on the south side of Rocky Mountain National Park, hike through a wet forest towards upper and lower Copeland Falls, located 0.45 miles from the trailhead. From here, continue on the main trail along the North Fork of the Saint Vrain River to Calypso Cascades,...Read more -
Breckenridge, Colorado
Hike McCullough Gulch to Upper Blue Reservoir
5.02.8 mi / 910 ft gainThe trail first takes you to Upper Blue Reservoir, about 1.4 miles in. Past this point, it can be somewhat tricky to find the trail, but for experienced hikers, the upper valley holds a number of lakes, a waterfall, and open tundra for exploring. Mountain goat sightings are also common in this ar...Read more -
Silverthorne, Colorado
Lily Pad Lake
4.73.27 mi / 531 ft gainLily Pad Lake is a well known destination just outside of Silverthorne and in the Eagle's Nest Wilderness. The trail may be heavily trafficked on the weekends, but solitude can still be found in the early mornings or during the weekdays. The trail starts at the Lily Pad Lake Trailhead, just to t...Read more -
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Helen Hunt Falls & Silver Cascades
4.00.65 mi / 272 ft gainPark at the log-cabin visitor's center on North Cheyenne Canyon Rd just before it turns into Gold Camp Rd. I definitely recommend arriving early, as the parking lot fills up quickly. Helen Hunt Falls is in sight of the parking area, and another 1/3 mile past that you'll run into Silver Cascades. ...Read more -
Lyons, Colorado
Backpack to Red Deer Lake, CO
4.06.4 mi / 1900 ft gainThis is an excellent place to take your family backpacking. It is a fairly easy trail and definitely a great one for kids. Take in the beautiful scenery while hiking through meadows, aspen and pine with incredible mountain views in the Indian Peaks Wilderness. 6.4 miles to Red Deer Lake with an e...Read more -
Buena Vista, Colorado
Summit La Plata Peak
5.09.25 mi / 4500 ft gainThe Northwest Ridge is the most easily accessible and popular route, and for good reasons. The trailhead is on the side of Hwy 82, otherwise known as Independence Pass, about 14.5 miles from the Hwy 24 junction, or about 10 miles from Twin Lakes to the east. The trailhead is hard to miss, and you...Read more -
Nederland, Colorado
Drive the Peak to Peak Highway
4.555 mi / 705 ft gainThe Peak to Peak Highway is a 55-mile stretch of road that winds its way from Nederland to Estes Park (or Estes Park to Nederland). This road connects to many points of exploration, Indian Peaks Wilderness Area and Rocky Mountain National Park to name a couple, but the drive itself is an adventur...Read more -
Golden, Colorado
Hike Mount Galbraith
5.05.8 mi / 1247 ft gainStarting at roughly 6,000 ft. this hike will take you to the Mount Galbraith Loop Trail that circles the summit of the Mountain which peaks at 7,247 ft. Getting there is very simple, from State Highway 93, take Golden Gate Canyon Road west approximately 1.5 miles to the parking area and trailhea...Read more -
Golden, Colorado
Hike Lookout Mountain Trail at Windy Saddle Park
4.02.6 mi / 500 ft gainJust outside of Golden, CO is Lookout Mountain. If you’ve ever driven westbound on i70 from Denver to the mountains, you’ve undoubtedly seen this mountain to your right with antennas on the top. On the north side of Lookout Mountain lies Windy Saddle Park, about a 30 minute drive from Denver. Thi...Read more -
Westcliffe, Colorado
Backpack to Sand Creek Lakes
5.04 mi / 1700 ft gainStart at the Music Pass trail head south of Westcliffe, Colorado off County Road 119. You will need a 4x4 with high clearance to get to the actual trailhead as the last 2.5 miles are rough. Otherwise, park at the Crape Creek TH and walk the 2.5 miles up to Music Pass Trailhead.Once on the trail...Read more
