12 Gorgeous Places to Hike near Denver
Front Range » Denver » Best Hikes
Looking for the most stunning places to hike near Denver? Here’s a list of my favorites. Although hiking IN Denver is… not that exciting. Head to the foothills and front range mountains for endless beautiful places to hike.
The hikes are listed in order from closest to downtown Denver to the furthest. This is by no means a full list of amazing hikes near Denver. There are too many to list!
Anyways, here are some that I would recommend to a friend who was visiting Denver and wanted to go on a nice day hike.
In order from the closest to furthest from Denver:
1. Red Rocks Park & Amphitheater
Where it’s at
Closest Town: Morrison
Distance from Downtown Denver: 30 minutes
Why we love it:
Don’t get me wrong – Red Rocks Park & Amphitheater is (in my opinion) THE COOLEST concert venue. I absolutely love it. But, Red Rocks Park has more to offer than just live shows. During the day, it’s an amazing place to hike, work out, and explore. The park has four official trails. My personal favorite is the Trading Post Trail. It takes you through a series of rock formations that are similar to Garden of the Gods. The trading post is next to the amphitheater, so I always add on a walk to the top. This is especially great if you’re trying to get a solid work out in.
Here’s a list of the best trails in Red Rocks Park.
2. Lookout Mountain
Where it’s at
Closest Town: Golden, Colorado
Distance from Denver: 30 minutes
Why we love it:
Lookout Mountain is an iconic spot to explore. It’s the mountain on the north end of i70 as you’re driving into the mountains near Denver. The town of Golden sits below. From one side of the mountain, you’ll get amazing views of Denver, Golden, and the surrounding flatlands. On the other side, you’ll get breathtaking views of Colorado’s front range mountains. Although you can simply drive to the top, there are several hiking opportunities on Lookout Mountain. The Windy Saddle Lookout Mountain Trail is a crowd favorite.
3. Lair O’ The Bear
Where it’s at:
Closest Town: Morrison
Distance from Downtown Denver: 30 minutes
Why we love it:
Lair O’ The Bear is a great place for easy to moderate nature trails. It’s located in the mountains only 10 minutes west of Morrison. To get there, you’ll drive through a beautiful canyon. The hike is full of beautiful forests surround by mountains. If you’re lucky, there’s a good chance of seeing wildlife here. Hike the trail along the road to reach the beautiful Donafon Castle. It’s on private land, but you can get great views! Keep going on that trail to reach Panorama Point in Corwina Park. Lair O’ The Bear Park has lots of picnic tables too, so why not pack a lunch! Afterwards, stop at The Cow in Morrison for some of the best milkshakes you’ve ever had.
See all of the trails in Lair O’ The Bear Park here.
4. Panorama Point in Corwina Park
Where it’s at:
Closest Town: Kittredge
Distance from Downtown Denver: 30 minutes
Why we love it:
Remember the Panorama Point Trail I mentioned in the Lair O’The Bear section? Well the Corwina Park trailhead gets you even closer. The trail starts on Bear Creek (pictured above) and takes you through lush forests. The Panorama Point hike is a relatively short and moderate trail – only about an hour round trip. At the top, you’ll get panoramic views of the front range mountains and the nearby towns.
5. Chautauqua Park
Where it’s at:
Closest Town: Boulder
Distance from Downtown Denver: 30 to 45 minutes
Why we love it:
Hiking in Chautauqua Park is the best way to see Boulder’s beloved flatirons. This was the first trail I ever hiked in Colorado and it made me fall in love. There are several trails in the park, from easy to difficult. My personal favorites are the Royal Arch Trail and the First and Second Flatiron Loop. On any trail you’ll walk through stunning forests and see neat rock formations. Visit Boulder’s Pearl Street Mall afterwards for great food and shopping.
6. Mount Falcon Park
Where it’s at:
Closest Town: Morrison or Indian Hills, depending on the trailhead
Distance from Downtown Denver: 30 to 45 minutes
Why we love it:
Mount Falcon Park has two main trailheads – east and west. The west trailhead is my favorite, especially for a quick evening hike. To reach it, you drive almost all the way up Mount Falcon on the west side. Once there, you have plenty of space to wander the top of the mountain. You’ll get amazing views of the front range mountains, and sunsets here are amazing. There are several picnic areas by the parking lot. My favorite place is to walk to for a nice sunset meal is the Eagle Eye Shelter (pictured above). Additionally, there is a lookout tower at the very top of the mountain that provides amazing views of Denver, Red Rocks, and the surrounding area. There’s also a trail to the ruins of an old castle. For a longer and more challenging hike, start at the east trailhead. You’ll start from the bottom of Mount Falcon and hike to the previously mentioned spots at the top.
See a list of the most popular Mount Falcon trails here.
7. Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Where it’s at:
Closest Town: Golden
Distance from Downtown Denver: 45 minutes
Why we love it:
Golden Gate Canyon a large and beautiful state park about 30 minutes west of Golden. It’s my favorite place to hike for fall foliage, but it’s beautiful to visit year-round. There are so many different hiking trails to choose from. Some of the best trails include Raccoon, Rocky Mountain High, Horseshoe, and Panorama Point. The majority of the trails are considered moderate. They wind through beautiful forests surrounded my mountains. Keep in mind that since it is a state park you will either need a pass or to pay a fee.
You can view a list of the top rated Golden Gate Canyon trails here.
8. Herman Gulch
Where it’s at:
Closest Town: Georgetown
Distance from Downtown Denver: 1 hour
Why we love it:
Herman Gulch is a great hike for getting above the tree line near Denver. You’ll begin in a forest right off the interstate. Don’t worry, the sounds of passing vehicles will quickly fade. The first part of the hike will take you through forests and meadows. During the summer, they’ll be FILLED with wildflowers. The second park of the hike will take you above the tree line into vast alpine fields. Once again, lots of wildflowers in the summer. Stop for a snack at Herman Lake. After that, either head back down or continue on the trail if you’re up for hiking a 13er. Note: The trail to The Citadel peak is rugged, long, difficult, and hard to navigate. Only try it if you’re experienced and prepared. Herman Gulch is still a challenging and rewarding trail with great views!
You can view the Herman Gulch Trail here.
9. St. Mary’s Glacier
Where it’s at:
Closest Town: Idaho Springs
Distance from Downtown Denver: 1 hour
Why we love it:
Do you want a hike where you can see (and play in!) an alpine lake AND a glacier? If so, St. Mary’s Glacier is where it’s at. There’s plenty of room to explore around the lake and glacier. You could hike up Fox Mountain, visit a waterfall, or hike to the peak above St. Mary’s Lake. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, hike to James Peak – a nearby 13er. The hike to the lake is relatively short. It’s a great spot to bring fishing, kayaks, or paddle boarding gear during the summer.
Please note: There is a $5 cash fee to park at the trailhead. Parking outside of the trailhead lot is prohibited and often results in being fined.
10. Garden of the Gods
Where it’s at:
Closest Town: Colorado Springs
Distance from Downtown Denver: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Why we love it:
Garden of the Gods is one of Colorado’s most famous parks. There are many ways to view the park, from driving through to horseback riding. Hiking it is my personal favorite. You’ll see beautiful and iconic rock formations throughout the park. You’ll also get amazing views of Pikes Peak, aka America’s mountain. There are several trails throughout the park. I recommend starting at the Garden of the Gods Trading Post. Parking is typically easier to find there. Use the AllTrails app to make your way to the Siamese Twins rock formation. Here, you can get a kick ass view of Pikes Peak through the rock formation. From here, keep wandering east and use the app to find whatever viewpoints you’d like to see. When you’re done, head back to the Trading Post. Afterwards, head to Manitou Springs to explore and get amazing food.
Here’s a list of the top-rated trails in the Garden of the Gods park.
11. Mount Evans Wilderness
Where it’s at:
Closest Town: Idaho Springs
Distance from Downtown Denver: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Why we love it:
Mount Evans Wilderness features two 14ers (mountains with peaks over 14,000 feet high), a scenic byway, arctic tundra, and alpine lakes. Mount Evans is one of two 14ers in Colorado that has a road to the peak, causing it to be a very popular area. Most of the hikes will be difficult due to the elevation and terrain, so make sure you are well educated and prepared for any hike you choose. The two most popular hikes are Mount Evans and Mount Bierstadt, the two 14ers. Both are difficult, but there is an option to drive to the top of Mount Evans and taking a short hike to the peak. Some other great trails in Mount Evans Wilderness area are Mount Spalding, Abyss Lake, and Chicago Lakes. The best time to visit is during the summer months. Due to the high elevation, snow begins early in the season and melts late.
See a list of the most popular trails in the Mount Evans Wilderness Area here.
Interested in 14ers? Check out this list of the best 14ers in the front range.
12. Spruce Creek to Mohawk Lakes
Where it’s at:
Closest Town: Breckenridge
Distance from Downtown Denver: 2 hours
Why we love it:
The Spruce Creek to Mohawk Lakes trail features winding forests, cabin ruins, several alpine lakes, a waterfall, and spectacular mountain views. It’s a difficult trail spanning 8.4 miles, but great challenge comes with a great reward. Mohawk Lakes are a series of two stunning alpine lakes. Bring a light lunch and relax on the boulders at the Upper Mohawk Lake. Along the trail, Mohawk Lakes feed a series of several smaller lakes plus a 660 foot waterfall. If you’re lucky, you might even see a mountain goat. Afterwards, wind down with a delicious meal and fresh brew from Breckenridge Brewery in downtown.
View the trail map here.
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June 26, 2023 at 5:55 pm
[…] Looking for more places to hike? Check out these gorgeous hikes near Denver, Colorado. […]