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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Littleton, Colorado
Hike or Bike Hildebrand Ranch
4.05.1 mi / 324 ft gainHildebrand Ranch Park is often overshadowed by the other nearby Jeffco Parks, but for the few that it does attract the trails do not disappoint. The Two Brands Trail starts at about 5600ft just off of Deer Creek Canyon Rd. It is a relatively flat trail that tops out at about 5821ft making it a...Read more -
Crested Butte, Colorado
Hike Gothic Mountain
6.5 mi / 3025 ft gainThe Gothic mountain trailhead starts at 9600' about 10 miles outside Crested Butte, Colorado. A four wheel or all wheel drive vehicle is recommended to make it to the trail head. Take trail 403 which will eventually turn into Gothic Mountain trail around mile 2.5. The single track trail winds thr...Read more -
Glenwood Springs, Colorado
Grizzly Creek Trail
5.07.08 mi / 1873 ft gainTake exit 121 off Interstate 70 (a rest stop exit), and follow signs to a secondary parking lot near Grizzly Creek. This is a great addition to the nearby Hanging Lake & Spouting Rock hikes just 4 miles East on I-70. Because these two are so popular, Grizzly Creek is a great, not very well k...Read more -
Divide, Colorado
Hike to Brook Pond
4.04.74 miThis hike begins at the east side of the Visitor's Center parking lot. The Visitor's Center keeps a record of any recent wildlife sightings, so its a good idea to check in the building if your goal is to see some animals. Otherwise, head to the end of the parking lot and take trail #5 down the hi...Read more -
Ridgway, Colorado
Photograph Dallas Divide
Along with Maroon Lake and Crystal Mill, Dallas Divide is one of Colorado's iconic photography locations. It's proximity to the rugged San Juan mountains makes it an ideal location to capture some of Colorado's most incredible scenery in one picture frame. Start your adventure by grabbing your t...Read more -
Aspen, Colorado
Ski the Aspen Highland Bowl
/ 782 ft gainBeing able to ski or snowboard the Highland Bowl requires a good set of lungs and legs. Accessing the 12,382-foot peak requires taking a couple of lifts from the base of Aspen Highlands Mountain (Exhibition then Loge Peak), then some serious leg work (expect a 30-60-minute hike). Some parts of th...Read more -
Golden, Colorado
Hike the Mountain Lion Trail
6.7 mi / 1230 ft gainThere are three parking lots with direct access to the Mountain Lion Trail. The main one is off of Crawford Gulch Road, but any of them are good starting points! This loop has pretty similar elevation gain and loss profiles no matter which way you go, so you can go any direction. This adventure ...Read more -
Breckenridge, Colorado
Francie's Cabin
5.02.77 mi / 1001 ft gainFrancie's Cabin offers great views of the 10 Mile Range and easy access to the Crystal Lakes and Mohawk Lake's Basin, complete with a sauna. Located at 11,360' and owned by the 10th Mountain Division Hut Association, Francies Cabin was built in memory of Frances Lockwood Bailey in 1994 and is lo...Read more -
Breckenridge, Colorado
Hike the Sawmill Trail to Fairy Forest
3.01.5 mi / 250 ft gainIf you brought the family to Breckenridge chances are you're probably not bringing the little ones on your next 14'er summit. Are you looking for an easy hike to let the kiddos experience some nature and run around a bit? Well then this short hike is perfect for you and the family. Plus, it's rig...Read more -
Laporte, Colorado
Hike the Bellvue Dome
2.81.75 mi / 600 ft gainThe Bellvue Dome, known locally as "Goat Hill", was created by the same geological forces that made the Rocky Mountains, but what makes this structure unique is its shape, the steep cliff on its western edge carved by the Cache la Poudre River at the base, and its prominent location dominating th...Read more -
Wellington, Colorado
Climb Table Mountain in the Red Mountain Open Space
4.05 mi / 1200 ft gainTable Mountain sits smack dab in the middle of Red Mountain Open Space, an area known to geologists (and settlers) as "The Big Hole", a singular and unique landform that peaks into the "basement" rocks that underly northern Colorado and Southeastern Wyoming. Soapstone cliffs and bright red Dakota...Read more -
Hartsel, Colorado
Ice Fishing Antero Reservoir
The Antero Reservoir was the first dam built on the South Platte River. The reservoir is best known for its large rainbow trout and rainbow x cutthroat hybrid trout. It's also home to brown trout, snake river cutthroat trout, cutthroat trout, brook trout, and splake.The earth filled Antero Dam wa...Read more -
Denver, Colorado
Photograph Bison at the Rocky Mountain National Arsenal Wildlife Refuge
5.09 miBison are the largest and heaviest land animals in North America. They are a symbol of a wild and free landscape. Despite their size these big beasts are extremely agile. They can run up to 35 miles per hour and jump 6ft high from a stand still. Very few animals pose a threat to a healthy, fully ...Read more -
Lyons, Colorado
Sleepy Lion Trail
4.7 mi / 712 ft gainThe trailhead is about eight tenths of a mile from the parking area. You pass some sport climbs, a man made waterfall, and some large boulders in the North St. Vrain Creek.The trailhead is clearly marked on the left. There is some elevation gain at the beginning but nothing difficult. Once the el...Read more -
Livermore, Colorado
Mt. McConnel Summit Trail Loop
4.26 mi / 1453 ft gainThis 4.3-mile round trip hike gains 1300 feet of elevation before reaching the Mt. McConnel summit. The primitive trail is rated as difficult and has an ascent of many switchbacks, leading up to a wild flower-covered summit. The trail winds along the ridge line around 8,000 feet, offering panoram...Read more -
Franktown, Colorado
Hike the Rim Rock Trail
4.98 miThe West Side of Castlewood Canyon is the more "rugged" side of the park, it has a dirt road, gravel parking lots, and only vault toilets. Luckily, this also means this is a less popular side of the park, making for less crowded trails and easier parking! Park at the first trailhead, for the Hom...Read more
