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• #THINGS TO DO IN DENVER AIRPORT FULL#

An added bonus is the beautiful drive on the Peak to Peak Highway, but beware of the high elevation coming straight from Denver.ĥ. Brainard can be crowded due to the high bang-for-your-buck mountain experience, but for more solitude you can move past the boardwalks and picnic tables near the parking lots and up to Mitchell and Blue Lakes (Blue Lake is 2.5 miles from the Mitchell Lake Trailhead). The hikes above are in the foothills-beautiful as they are-but Brainard feels like quintessential Colorado: a stunning alpine lake, rugged snow-capped peaks, wildflowers during the spring and summer, and a chill in the air. One could argue that the Brainard Lake Recreation Area is the true start of Rocky Mountain wilderness. Length: Up to 5 miles round-trip to Blue Lake Brainard Lake Recreation Area (Peak to Peak Highway) For more solitude and similar views, Red Rock Canyon Open Space is just two miles to the south.Ĥ.

#THINGS TO DO IN DENVER AIRPORT FULL#

Garden of the Gods is great for families: The full loop trail is around 4 miles but the hiking is relatively easy and parking lots are never far away. Cathedral Valley is one of the most striking areas in the Park and Longs Peak can be seen in the background on clear days. Roads from the visitor center wind through the park with short hiking trails in all directions (some are paved, but you can venture away from the main road to avoid the crowds). This National Natural Landmark just outside of Colorado Springs is another example of gorgeous red rock formations set amongst the foothills.

Start: Visitor Center or virtually any parking area ( map) And don’t forget to swing by Pearl Street on the way out of town to celebrate your day outdoors. Just drop one car at either trailhead, park at the other, and you have a terrific one-way Boulder hike. This 6.7-mile hike covers classic Boulder terrain with views of the Flatirons, foothills, and out toward Denver. If you have two cars, our favorite is the Mesa Trail from Chautauqua to the Eldorado Springs parking lot (or vice versa). The Flatirons are also beloved by climbers, so keep your eyes open for folks roping up or free-soloing the rock faces. Keep in mind that given Chautauqua’s in-your-face beauty and close proximity to US-36, these are Boulder’s most popular trails for visitors. If you'd like to have a goal in mind, the 1st Flatiron Trail is approximately 2.9 miles round-trip with good views back out over Boulder, and Royal Arch is 3.2 miles round-trip. A number of easy trails weave from the Chautauqua Ranger Station across Bluebell Mesa, and many people simply walk until they want to turn around. The historic hamlet of Chautauqua sits directly beneath the Flatirons with big views and numerous area hikes. Chautauqua and The Mesa Trail (Boulder)Ībout 30 miles west of Denver is the outdoor mecca of Boulder. on concert days, which are more frequent than not in the summer months. Make sure to get there early as everything closes at around 2 p.m. South of the Amphitheater is the Trading Post Trail: a well-groomed 2.8-mile loop with beautiful views. The whole area is a public park (Red Rocks Mountain Park) and known for the dramatic rocky outcroppings shooting out of the foothills. Less than 20 miles from downtown is the tiny town of Morrison and one of the leading concert venues in the country. The Trading Post Trail is the easiest and most family-friendly hike on this list, but it’s still a great way to get out of Denver, stretch your legs, take in some fresh mountain air, and even visit the famous Red Rocks Amphitheater.

Start: South parking lots at Red Rocks ( map) Trading Post Trail (Red Rocks Mountain Park) Those heading for the high country should plan on getting up early and summiting around midday before weather moves in.ġ. In addition, keep in mind that afternoon storms are common in the summertime, and lightning in particular. All Colorado hikers should keep a keen eye on elevation and make sure to drink water and not push your body past its comfortable limits. Below are our picks for the best day hikes from Denver, ranging from relatively easy strolls in the foothills to the highest 14er in the state (and second highest peak in the contiguous United States). From ski bums to cross-country transplants who moved here for the outdoors, nobody loves their mountains more than Coloradans.