9 Hikes Near Denver with Stunning Views in 2024
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Photo by Radka Silva from EndlessFamilyAdventure
Top Hiking Areas Near Denver in 2024
If you're a nature enthusiast and love to explore the great outdoors, then you're in for a treat!
Denver, known for its stunning scenery and natural beauty, offers an abundance of hiking trails that cater to adventurers of all levels. From leisurely strolls to more challenging hikes, there's something for everyone.
But with so many options to choose from, it can be overwhelming. Fear not, as we've rounded up the top 9 breathtaking hikes near Denver.
Get ready to be immersed in nature as you trek through picturesque landscapes, encounter wildlife, and witness jaw-dropping views of the Rocky Mountains.
Grab your hiking boots, pack some snacks, and let's hit the trails!
Denver Fun Fact: Averaging 300 days of sunshine a year and sitting at 5,280 feet, Denver is one of the sunniest cities in the United States. So, don’t forget your sunscreen when you head out exploring and hiking in Denver.
Sleep overnight in cute bungalows or a spacious townhouse with rooftop deks close to downtown Denver, and you’ve got a getaway made in the shade.
Before we cover nine great hiking areas, let’s hit refresh on the basics of hiking Colorado trails.
Best Time of Year to Hike in Denver
Denver's climate is known for its mild temperatures and sunny days, making it a great place to hike year-round. However, some months are better than others, depending on your preferences.
Summer (June-August) is the peak hiking season and offers warm temperatures and longer days.
We love this hike along Guanella Pass for great Colorado hiking near Denver in fall
Fall (mid September-mid October) is a great time to hike as the weather cools down, and the leaves change color. Find fabulous fall hikes in Kenosha Pass, just 30 minutes from Denver, or along Guanella Pass Scenic Byway.
Winter (December-February) is a beautiful time to hike but requires more preparation due to snow and colder temperatures. Finally, spring (March-May) is a great time to hike as the snow melts, and the wildflowers bloom.
Regardless of the season, Denver's hiking trails offer breathtaking views and unique experiences.
We’ve logged loads of hiking miles in every season
Safety Tips for Hiking
Hiking can be a fun and exhilarating experience, but it's important to stay safe and be prepared.
Before hitting the trails, make sure to research the trail you plan to hike, including its difficulty level, length, and terrain.
Always bring plenty of water, snacks, and a first aid kit. Dress appropriately for the weather and wear proper hiking shoes.
It's also important to let someone know where you'll be hiking and when you plan to return.
Finally, be aware of your surroundings and watch out for wildlife.
Related Reading: Beginner Hiking Tips and What to Wear Hiking in Colorado
Hiking Gear Essentials
Having the right gear can make a huge difference in your hiking experience.
Hiking essentials you should bring include a backpack, water bottles, a hydration system, snacks, a first aid kit, and a map.
Additionally, proper hiking shoes with good traction are a must.
Dressing in layers is also essential as temperatures can fluctuate throughout the day. Other items to consider include a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a whistle.
Trail Etiquette
When hiking on trails, it's important to follow etiquette to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. Always yield to uphill hikers and those on horseback.
Stay on designated trails to avoid damaging vegetation. Do not pick the wildflowers and please pack out all trash.
Keep noise levels down and respect wildlife. Finally, be courteous to other hikers and offer a friendly greeting.
Without further ado, let’s unpack nine great hikes near Denver.
Photo by Radka Silva from EndlessFamilyAdventure
Arapaho Pass Trail
The Arapaho Pass Trail is one of the best hikes in Colorado. Part of the 4th of July Trailhead, this area is a treasure trove of outdoor adventures.
Located just a short drive away from Denver, this moderate hike is short and sweet (4.1 round trip), but you can continue onwards if you're feeling up for even more mountain goodness.
Take the Arapaho Pass Trail up a gentle grade for 2 miles, where you'll see old mining equipment right near the junction for the Arapaho Glacier Trail. You'll be treated to killer mountain views and cross a small waterfall along the way.
If you’re feeling up for it, continue up the trail to Arapaho Pass for another 9 miles (13.1 miles total) to reach Monarch Lake*, where you can overnight camp. Once you reach the junction with Cascade Creek, take the trail until the very end, where you'll reach Mirror Lake and Lone Eagle Peak - Colorado's most beautiful mountain!
*Check with AllTrails to be sure the trail is open all the way to Monarch Lake.
by Meg Atteberry with Fox in the Forest
Arapaho Pass Trail
Chautauqua Park in Boulder
My love affair with Chautauqua Park in Boulder began in a mommy-and-me hiking group. The Enchanted Mesa Trail remains one of my favorite hiking trails near Denver today.
With 40+ miles of verdant trails, this National Historic Landmark is nestled against the Flatiron Mountains and is an area heaped in history.
The Chautauqua Dining Hall boasts some of the best outdoor dining in Colorado. Plus, take in a concert or children’s program at the Auditorium and stop by the Ranger’s Cottage for some interactive fun.
After your hike, cool down with some ice cream from The General Store, located in a charming restored cottage (open seasonally: 100 Clematis Dr, Boulder, CO 80302).
If you want to make a staycation out of it, many historic cottages are available for rent and a getaway in Boulder is a memorable one. Go to MileHighMamas.com for more Denver-area activity ideas.
by Amber Johnson with Mile High Mamas
Chautauqua Park in Boulder, Colorado
Flatirons Vista Trail
Flatirons Vista Trail is 35 minutes from downtown Denver, just south of Boulder. It is a wonderful option for a kid and dog friendly hike close to town.
The Flatirons Vista Trail is a 3.3-mile easy loop with 285 feet elevation gain and a wide, mostly flat trail with views of the famous Flatirons throughout. This hike has wide open spaces that encourages kids to run wild and free! Add in wildflowers in the summer and you might catch yourself singing “The Hills are Alive.”
This is one of the hikes near Denver that is great year-round since it’s accessible and flat. However, you may want to avoid this trail on windy days as there is no shelter from the weather on this exposed trail.
I recommend taking the loop counterclockwise, so you start in the meadows along the Flatirons. Then connect with the South Trail through the pine forest, ending at the pond for rock skipping.
After the hike, head over to Resolute Tap & Cellar for a Victory Lap IPA. (18148 W 92nd Ln Suite 100, Arvada, CO 80007)
by Kristin Tillack of Raising Hikers
PRO TIP: This area is subject to seasonal closure due to muddy conditions. For more information, please visit: https://bouldercolorado.gov/osmp/temporary-closures or text “OSMP” to 888-777 to sign up for text updates about muddy trail closures.
Flatirons
Lake Isabelle
Lake Isabelle is one of our favorite places to hike near Denver, located in Indian Peaks Wilderness near Ward, Colorado.
The hike to Lake Isabelle starts at the Long Lake Trailhead and is about 2.3 miles one way. The trail is relatively flat until the final switchback to Lake Isabelle.
To make the hike more challenging, you can continue on to Isabelle Glacier for another 2.2 miles.
Wildflowers are plentiful in this area during late spring and all summer. The lake is drained in the fall, so don’t go too late in the season.
There is no charge to enter the area in the winter, but the gate is closed to vehicles and adds an additional 2.5 miles of hiking each way to reach the trailhead.
During summer months, a fee applies to get into the Wilderness, but your entrance is free with a National Parks Pass.
On the way back to Denver, stop at Glacier Homemade Ice Cream in Boulder (3133 28th St., Boulder, CO 80301) as a treat for the kids for a great day of hiking!
by Radka Silva from EndlessFamilyAdventure
Lake Isabelle
PRO TIP: Don’t own a good daypack? We love Osprey’s Packfinder tool - they make some of the world’s best daypacks and overnight backpacks, in our combined 50+ years of experience hiking and backpacking. And they have great customer service.
Let’s talk.
We’d love to help you plan your Colorado vacation.
Lair O The Bear Park
Lair O The Bear is a quick easy hike in the Denver area that’s perfect for kids. Located just outside the charming town of Morrison, Lair O the Bear is tucked away in the canyon so you’ll feel like you completely escaped the hustle and bustle of the city.
This Denver area hike is perfect for younger kids at only 1.5 miles, and without a lot of elevation gain. There are large sections of this hike that are not shaded, so keep this in mind if you’re hiking during hotter temperatures and plan on coming during cooler times of the day.
Highlights of Lair O the Bear is likely the creek flowing near the trailhead or the massive cottonwood trees that are perfect for kids of all ages to climb around on. Both of these features make it perfect to hang out for a while so it’s the perfect short hike to bring a picnic and let the kids play for a while in the shade near the creek.
Just 8 miles away, you’ll also find Dinosaur Ridge along Bear Creek Avenue.
When you’re done, head down the road into Lakewood to Magill’s Ice Cream and enjoy one of their famous ice cream sundaes! (8016 W Jewell Ave, Lakewood, CO 80232)
Submitted by Jessica Averett from Kids Camping Tips
Marshall Mesa
One hike near Denver we enjoy is Marshall Mesa. It's about 40 minutes north of downtown Denver, just south of Boulder. There are numerous hiking trails with a large amount of open space. It's a perfect hike for families, kids and dogs.
You can even go horseback riding here at Marshall Mesa if you like! There are multiple trails but the main one is a 3.3 mile loop that has an elevation gain of about 238 feet. This trail is perfect for beginners, or families with small kids, as the skill level required is minimal.
The views west showcase the beautiful Rocky Mountains, Boulder Foothills, and unique Flatirons that this area is known for. There is a large amount of wildlife that live here including, deer, badgers, owls, coyotes, and even rattlesnakes. Bald eagles and other fowl also make their nests here each year, depending on the time of year.
Marshall Mesa is also near Eldorado Canyon State Park, a gorgeous canyon with lots of hiking trails for walking, mountain biking, or running.
After the hike, we highly recommend heading to EAT! Food & Drink — a new local favorite brunch and lunch spot. They serve bottomless bloody marys and homemade green chili for their Colorado burritos. Many of their ingredients are made right here in Denver, and they serve Dazbog coffee. (520 Zang St N, Broomfield, CO 80021)
by Ryan of Hashtag Colorado Life
Meyer Ranch Park
Whenever we visit family in the Morrison, CO area, we love going hiking at Meyer Ranch Park. The trails are open to hiking, biking and horseback riding and cover over 4.1 miles in the 667 acre park.
Meyer Ranch is an easy place to get to, the trails wind through beautiful forests and the crowds aren't awful. There's also a great sledding hill in the winter, and the hiking there in the fall and summer is spectacular.
This is also a great place for an informal "turkey trot" when visiting around Thanksgiving to help release some quick energy before the big meal!
We usually have our dog with us, which has been fine, though dogs must be on leashes at all times.
by Amelia Mayer with Tales of a Mountain Mama
Marshall Mesa
Mount Falcon Castle View Trail Loop
Mount Falcon Park in Morrison, Colorado, is a short drive and a great place to go for a hike near Denver. This park offers incredible views of both the city of Denver and the foothills.
A great hike to take on in Mount Falcon Park is a 2.5-mile loop with the Castle, Meadow, and Tower Trails. This is a moderate trail with about 350-foot elevation gain.
Starting at the west trailhead, follow the Castle Trail down into the park. When the trail splits, follow the Meadow Trail to the right. Take another right at the next fork onto Tower Trail and hike until you reach the lookout tower. From here, you can see all of the metro area and even Downtown Denver on a clear day.
After the tower, continue east back onto the Meadow Trail and follow it until you come to the castle ruins. It’s not actually a castle, but the ruins of an early 1900s mansion. After exploring the ruins, you can head west on the Castle Trail back to the parking lot.
A great nearby brewery is the Red Rocks Beer Garden in downtown Morrison. They serve craft beer, great food and have a dog- and kid-friendly patio! (116 Stone St, Morrison, CO 80465)
by Molly of Denver for Families
If you’re a Denver local or considering moving to the Mile-High city, and looking to rent an apartment in Denver or buy a home, this city offers an abundance of attractions. With numerous activities to explore and places to eat, it might be daunting for new residents to decide where to begin. To help, Redfin curated a list of must-try experiences, places to grab a bite to eat, and unique activities recommended by locals.
Read the full article here: The Ultimate Denver, CO Bucket List | Redfin
PRO TIP: This area is subject to seasonal closure due to muddy trail conditions. For more information, please visit or https://www.jeffco.us/1332/Mount-Falcon-Park.
Mount Falcon Park
Roxborough State Park
Nestled in the hills of Littleton, Colorado, Roxborough State Park is a hidden gem just south of Denver. Large red granite slabs rise from grassy meadows.
With 14 miles of trails to choose from, some of these hikes are as short as a quarter mile, while others as long as 7 miles, making this park perfect for all types of hikers.
We loved taking our toddlers on Willow Creek Falls Trail. Only .3 miles to the waterfalls, it is the perfect snack spot before completing the loop for a 2 mile trek.
Or, try Carpenter Peak Trail with your older kids. This has become a favorite hike near Denver. It’s a steady 6 mile out and back hike with great selfie spots overlooking Fountain Valley, the largest rock formation in the park, as well as 360 views of Denver.
At $10 per car and $4 per person on foot or bike, we think this park is also worth the fees for the bird watching alone! Roxborough Park is an IBA - Important Bird Area.
Clean bathrooms exist at the visitor center, as well as picnic tables, making this park a perfect family day trip for hikes in Denver.
NOTE: Dogs and bikes are not allowed on the park’s trails.
After the hike, head to Atlas Coffee, where they roast their own beans and their matcha latte is on point. (8155 Piney River Ave, Littleton, CO 80125)
by Melody of Colorado Hikes and Hops
Roxborough State Park
St. Mary's Glacier
There are so many incredible hikes near Denver, Colorado. Among my favorites is St. Mary's Glacier. The best way to describe this hike is low-effort, high-reward!
The hike to St. Mary’s Glacier is an easy to moderate, 1.9 mile, out-and-back trail with breathtaking views. You will find hidden waterfalls, a beautiful lake, a small mountain glacier, and mountain vistas along the way.
Because it is located in the mountains, this hiking trail is best used between April and October, as the snow levels can get quite high. The trailhead to St. Mary’s Glacier is roughly 1 hour west of Denver, in the small town of Alice.
PRO TIP: Parking is $5 cash-only and the trail is popular, so be sure to get there early.
by Sarah Olden with The Olden Chapters
Tanya sitting on the top of a favorite Colorado fourteener
Fourteeners Near Denver
Besides the fabulous hikes mentioned above, there are several fantastic fourteeners to hike near Denver, such as:
Mount Bierstadt
Grays and Torreys Peaks
Mount Evans
Quandary Peak
Mount Elbert
Longs Peak
We cover all our favorite fourteeners we’ve hiked in Colorado.
St Mary’s Glacier
Besides the nine fun Denver hikes highlighted here, this Mile High City in Colorado offers loads of fun for all ages. A thriving downtown, the Rhino District, Elitch Gardens, great art and history museums, local burgers and brews, plus four major sports teams to cheer — there’s something for everyone.
Final Thoughts on Hikes Near Denver
Denver's hiking trails offer a unique and immersive experience in nature. From leisurely strolls to challenging ascents, there's something for everyone.
Before hitting the trails, make sure to research the trail you plan to hike, including its difficulty level, length, and terrain.
Always be prepared with plenty of water, snacks, and a first aid kit.
Follow trail etiquette to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.
Finally, immerse yourself in nature and witness the breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains that Denver has to offer.
Which of these Denver area hikes are at the top of your list? Which hiking trail or open space would you add to the list? We’d love to hear from you below.
RELATED READING:
Kenosha Pass Hiking Trails between Denver and Fairplay
Guanella Pass Hiking Trails between Georgetown and Grant, Colorado
Your Guide to Fall Hikes and Drives in Colorado
Good reminders for everyone: Beginner’s Hiking Tips
This urban hike reveals Denver’s History and Charm
How to make Hiking Easy with Kids
PRO TIP: Wear a solid daypack that works as hard as you do. We’ve reviewed five daypacks that we’ve carried on every kind of trail all over the world, but this one is our best hiking daypack for Colorado.
