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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Grover, Colorado
Pawnee Buttes
4.43 mi / 427 ft gainThe Pawnee Buttes are a major geological feature within Pawnee National Grasslands in the far northeastern part of Colorado. There are two sandstone buttes that each rise over 300ft from the surrounding areas. There are also several other mesas nearby that are worth exploring. The trail is very ...Read more -
Georgetown, Colorado
Hike to Square Top Lakes
4.3 mi / 1080 ft gainStarting from Guanella Pass, right across from the Bierstadt trailhead, Square Top Lakes is definitely a hidden gem. Most people here are attempting to do the 14er, but if you've already bagged that one (or are just looking for some high altitude hiking to get you ready for it), Square Top Lakes ...Read more -
Estes Park, Colorado
Rock Climb above Lilly Lake
3.5Lilly Lake is known as a very popular, easy hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. Lilly Lake itself is very pretty and also has some good fishing and walking opportunities.Rock rises up nearby the northwest area of the lake, and offers some of the most fun rock climbing in the area. There are num...Read more -
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Hike to Blodgett Peak
3.04.5 mi / 2325 ft gainGetting There Google Maps + "Blodgett Peak Open Space"= Easy Peasy. The parking lot only accommodates 11 cars with a one of those reserved for handicap. A port-a-potty is the only facility available at the trail head, so plan accordingly. The Hike Starting out at about 7,000 feet the first mile ...Read more -
Durango, Colorado
Columbine Pass via Purgatory Flats
5.034.52 mi / 6932 ft gainThis hike begins at the Purgatory Flats Trailhead across from the Purgatory resort. The register is about a hundred yards from the Trailhead and is located next to a trail map. From here you will begin your descent down into the flats, which is roughly a 600-700 foot descent over the course of ju...Read more -
Coalmont, Colorado
Camp at Dumont Lake, CO
4.5Dumont Lake is 22 miles southeast of Steamboat Springs, just minutes off of U.S. Highway 40 (Rabbit Ears Pass). As you turn off the highway and drive down the dirt road, you get great views of Rabbit Ears Peak.The campground is made up of 14 sites. Almost all of the sites have a view of the meado...Read more -
Grand Junction, Colorado
Running Ute Canyon in Colorado National Monument
8.6 miUte Canyon Trail is a mostly undeveloped 4.3 mile trail (8.6 round trip) in Colorado National Monument that offers technical descents, route finding, water crossings, and gorgeous red rock walls. The trailhead is just a few miles off I-70 from the town of Fruita—it's well worth the trip. Remember...Read more -
Ward, Colorado
Snowshoe Mount Audubon
13.9 mi / 2715 ft gainWant to start snowshoeing peaks?! Of course you do! If you don't already have snowshoes, you can rent a pair at your local REI (the one in Boulder, CO is closest to this hike). Check the snow conditions and if there is a fair amount of snow, I would recommend renting the larger of the two kinds o...Read more -
Frisco, Colorado
Eccles Pass via Meadow Creek
9.85 mi / 2782 ft gainStarting at just over 9,000ft the Meadow Creek trail follows the path of the similarly named Meadow Creek. Through a canopy of aspens and pines the trail climbs at a steady, moderate rate. After a few water crossings the trees give way to an alpine meadow that offer a view of the final approach t...Read more -
Loveland, Colorado
Climb Green Ridge in the Roosevelt National Forest
9.8 mi / 2400 ft gainGreen Ridge is a fantastic series of summits in the Front Range that make for excellence training hikes, but is often forgotten as it lies outside of the nearby Bobcat Ridge Natural Area and just inside of Roosevelt National Forest. The summit itself at 7,402' is fantastic, featuring a nearly 900...Read more -
Carbondale, Colorado
Camp at Prince Creek
3.0From Colorado State Highway 82, turn south onto Highway 133 (toward Carbondale). Continue south past the Carbondale Main Street roundabout. After two miles, turn East onto Prince Creek Road. Follow this four miles to where the pavement ends. After passing through a cattle gate, BLM land lines the...Read more -
Parshall, Colorado
Ski or Snowshoe Jones Pass
4.06 mi / 1600 ft gainIts sister trail, Butler Gulch, is an all-time favorite hike (both summer and winter), and since they share a trailhead, I knew Jones Pass would be special as well.Jones Pass is not the type of trail I normally take, since it is actually a 4x4 road that is used for Jeeping in the summer and snowm...Read more -
Bellvue, Colorado
Trail Run the Hewlett Gulch Trail
5.08.5 mi / 800 ft gainHewlett Gulch Trailhead is located about 20 minutes from Fort Collins and offers easy hiking in the Poudre Canyon.From Fort Collins, take 287 to Ted's Place. Take a left onto CO 14 and follow 14 through the canyon just past Poudre Park where you see the trailhead sign. Turn left onto the road tha...Read more -
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Snowshoe to St. Mary's Falls
6.5 mi / 1500 ft gainAfter reaching the Gold Camp parking lot, strap on your snow shoes and head west past the gated road continuing on Gold Camp. The road will continue west for half a mile before passing the Seven Falls trailhead and turning east for another half a mile.At the collapsed tunnel, Gold Camp Road ends....Read more -
Mancos, Colorado
Explore Park Point in Mesa Verde National Park
5.0The Park Point Trail is the highest point in Mesa Verde National Park, and being close to the four corners, you can see for hundreds of miles in every direction on a clear day. It's a very short walk from the car, and there are several nice lookouts along the way, but be sure to walk all the way ...Read more -
Cortez, Colorado
Hike Sand Canyon in Canyons of the Ancients
5.013 mi / 1390 ft gainThe Sand Canyon trail in Canyons of the Ancients has two trailheads. The lower trailhead (off of County Road G) begins at 5,472-ft., while the upper trailhead (off of Country Road N) begins at 6,862-ft. If you are doing the 13 mile out-and-back hike as I did, begin at the lower trailhead and work...Read more
