What are the best hikes for kids near Denver, Colorado? If you have a young family like us, it can be challenging to find great hiking trails for both you and your kids. You need hiking trails that are easy, not too long, but offer opportunities for your kids to play and explore the beauty of Colorado. If you are taking a vacation to Colorado and looking for activities to do with your kids, this set of trails will be perfect. Be sure to download our Free Hiking Guide to help you prepare and pack smart for your dayhikes.
As I put this set of trail profiles together, I used the following criteria.
- They would be hikes that even young children (3-5) could enjoy. Our girls are 3 and 5, so this is based on first hand experience taking our kids hiking in Colorado.
- These hiking trails have variety: castle ruins, streams, rocks, and some shade when you need it.
- These family hikes would be closer to Denver. Time in the car can wear everyone out (sometimes more than the hike), so we’ve tried to keep these close.
Our Top 7 Hikes With Kids Near Denver Colorado
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Clear Creek Trail in Downtown Golden
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Lookout Mountain Hiking Trails
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Bear Creek Trail at Lair o’ the Bear Park
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Mount Falcon – Castle & Tower Hike
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Evergreen Lake Trail
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Raccoon Loop Hike in Golden Gate Canyon State Park
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Pine Valley Ranch Park Hike
Distance: 1.8 miles Round Trip
Drive Time from Denver: 30 Minutes
Difficulty: Easy
The Clear Creek Trail in Golden, Colorado is one kid-friendly hike! It has shade, the kids bike through it, and you can end the hike with a walk through downtown. When you have your kiddos with you, mornings can be hard to pass through the foothills and into the mountains but this one is easy to manage. It might not technically be called a “hike” though since it runs through the Golden commercial area.
Distance: .6 & .8 Mile Loops
Drive Time from Denver: 30 Minutes
Difficulty: Easy
These hiking trails from Lookout Mountain Nature Center may be the perfect trails for families. These are ideal if you’ve just gotten started hiking with your kids near Denver, Colorado. The Nature Center at Lookout Mountain is itself very awesome and you are guaranteed a good experience. If you want to see wildlife but need to say near to Denver, then this is the a great trail. Take a picnic lunch, just watch out for the squirrels; they’ll run of with your dessert if you don’t watch them closely.
Distance: 1.7 miles Round Trip
Drive Time from Denver: 30 Minutes
Difficulty: Easy
This is probably our favorite family hike near Denver because of the variety. It has open and shady areas along the trail, great picnic areas, and Bear Creek. Just keep an eye out for mountain bikes flying by on the wider trails. At Lair o’ the Bear Park you’ll find great hike options with the cool waters of Bear Creek nearby, open and shaded parts, and a great parking.
Distance: 2.3-mile Loop
Drive Time from Denver: 40 Minutes
Difficulty: Easy
How cool are castle ruins! This one also works if you are taking a stroller. There is also a fire tower at Mt. Falcon that gives you incredible views of Denver, of the Red Rocks, and of the mountains. These are just some of the highlights of the Mount Falcon Trail. The trailhead is located in on the foothills just about a 40-minute from Denver.
Distance: 1.3-mile Loop
Drive Time from Denver: 40 Minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Ever Green Trail is just a fun place for your kids to play in and explore. There are places to fish and rent boats as well. Bring a picnic and make a day of it in Evergreen. This Colorado hike or stroll is a relaxing way to spend your Saturday mornings. During winter, the Evergreen Lake transforms into an ice skating wonderland so you better be prepared for that and include that in your itinerary.
Distance: 2.5-mile Loop
Drive Time from Denver: 1 Hour
Difficulty: Easy
The kids love this 2.5-mile loop Raccoon Loop Hike in Golden Gate Canyon State Park! The panoramic views of the snowcapped peaks are just spectacular from the Panorama Point viewing area. There are a lot of aspen meadows, shade, wildflowers and trickling brooks along this trail. The drive from Golden to the park may be curvy so just watch out for cyclists.
Distance: 1.2 to 3.2 miles Round Trip
Drive Time from Denver: 1 Hour
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Pine Valley Ranch Park has become one of the best family-favorite parks near Denver. There are a lot of options to pick from the several hikes here. The park has it all: a beautiful lake, a rich history, a small island with a gazebo, and perhaps the best picnic area on the Front Range of Colorado.
Explore All our Family Friendly Hikes Near Denver
4 Great Stroller Hikes Near Denver
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Alderfer and Three Sisters Park
Bridal Veil Falls in Idaho Springs
Crags Hike Near Colorado Springs
Daniel’s Park Hikes
Echo Lake Trail Near Mt. Evans
Elk Meadow Park – South Loop
Enchanted Mesa Trail Near Boulder, Colorado
Fallen Timbers Loop Hike at Fox Run Park
Fountain Valley Trail at Roxborough State Park
Garden of the Gods Ultimate Hiking Guide
Georgetown Railroad Hike & Train Ride
Hiking Davis Ponds Hike at Staunton State Park
Incline at Castle Rock
Manitou Lake Hike Near Colorado Springs
Monarch Lake Loop Hike
Red Rock Canyon Hikes
Shanahan Ridge Hike Near Boulder
South Valley Park Trails
Map of Best Hikes For Kids Near Denver Colorado
Aaron Johnson has been hiking in Colorado for over 20 years. The owner and editor of Dayhikes Near Denver, Aaron writes every trail profile as a local guide who has hiked hundreds of miles of trails along the Front Range and deep in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.