- Hike Distance: 2.5 to 4 miles approx (RT)
- Denver Drive Time: 45 min
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Duration: 1.5-2.5 hrs
- Activities: Picnic Areas, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing
- Dogs: Allowed on Leash
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Loop w/Spur Option
- Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall
- Beauty: Canyon, Waterfalls and Cascades, Cliff Swallows, Cliff-Top Views, Geologic Features
- Trail Map Link: Click Here
If your legs are ready to gain some quick elevation
to some rewarding views, the Rattlesnake Gulch trail will give you just that. This trail starts at the west trailhead of the Fowler Trail about 1/2 a mile into Eldorado Canyon. Read More
- Hike Distance: .7 (RT) (see trail options below)
- Denver Drive Time: 50min
- Difficulty: Easy to Medium
- Duration: 30min+
- Activities: Rock Climbing, Hiking, Picnic Areas, Birdwatching, Wildlife Viewing
- Dogs: Allowed on Leash in Most Areas
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Out & Back & Loop Options
- Seasons: All Season
- Beauty: Cherry Creek, Waterfall, Interesting Geology, Canyon Views, Ruins
- Fee Required: Visit Colorado State Parks Site
The Homestead Trail in Castlewood Canyonis the first trail you will encounter as you enter the west side of the park. Park at the first lot and you’ll immediately see the ruins of the old Lucas Homestead, an unusual concrete structure built in the late 1800′s.
The trail is less than a mile round trip, but it links up with several other trails which form 2 loops. Read More
- Hike Distance: .14 mile (.26 RT)
- Denver Drive Time: 50 min
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Duration: 30 Min Round Trip
- Activities: Rock Climbing, Hiking, Picnic Areas, Nearby Waterfall
- Dogs: Allowed on This Trail
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Seasons: All Season
- Beauty: Cliffs, Caves, Mature Ponderosa Pines
- Fee Required: Visit Colorado State Parks Site
Looking for caves close to Denver? They may not be extensive, but they are still fun to explore. There are actually two caves along the top of the trail. One is a kind of large crack in the rock that leads to a larger chamber. I wish I could describe it better, but my 2 1/2 year old, when I asked if she wanted to go inside, was concerned that the “bears might be awake.” There are more caves hidden in Castlewood Canyon waiting to be found, but that is for another post.
Tips:
- Access the cave trail by hiking across the dirt road from the parking lot. The google map is very specific and should be helpful in finding the correct lot.
- Hike Distance: 12 miles (RT)
- Denver Drive Time: 1hr
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Duration: 5-7hrs
- Elevation Gain: Approx. 1200′
- Link to Trail Map
- Activities: Hiking, Fishing, Viewing Wildlife
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Seasons: Summer to Fall
- Beauty: Lakes, Mountain Peak Views, Creek, High Country, Cliffs, Wildflowers, & Wildlife: Mountain Goats, Bighorn Sheep, Elk
- Weather for Mt. Evans: Click Here
Looking for amazing views and some high mountain lakes near Denver? This 8.5 mile round trip hike takes you to 2 high mountain lakes with amazing views of the Mt. Evans Wilderness area. Both lakes can be fished, as well as the lower Idaho Springs Reservoir that you pass on your way. We are not into giving long trail descriptions on Dayhikes Near Denver, but we’d suggest you read the basic one below and check out the trail description and pdf link in the links box.
Tips:
- Don’t Miss: 1 – The Upper Lake & 2 – The Cascade between the two lakes
- Check the Weather before heading up. Use the following link to National Weather Service page for Mt. Evans
- Trail Description: Start at Echo Lake Parking lot -> Follow Sign near lot for Chicago Lakes Trail 52 -> follow another sign to Chicago lakes after .5 mile -> Idaho Springs Reservoir Road (about 1mile) -> through large burn area -> lower lake -> upper lake.
- Look over trail descriptions from Deb Stanley & David Day before heading out.
- Finish your hike enjoying a slice of Barbara Day’s famous pie at Echo Lake Lodge
Related Hikes:
- Hike Distance: 100 yards
- Denver Drive Time: 50min
- Difficulty: Easy
- Duration: 10min
- Activities: Short Trail
- Dogs: Allowed on Leash
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Seasons: Closed from Nov. 1 to May 1
- Beauty: Waterfall, Boulder Creek, Cliff.
Boulder Falls is only about 70 feet high, but it’s really breathtaking. The combination of the tight canyon, giant ponderosa pines, and the pouring waterfall makes it a great place to take visiting friends and family. Read More
- Hike Distance: .8 to 4 Miles
- Denver Drive Time: 50
- Difficulty: Medium
- Duration: 45min to 2hr 30min+
- Activities: Picnicking, Hiking Trails
- Dogs: Allowed on Leash
- Directions: Lower Parking Area – Upper Parking Area
- Trail Type: Out & Back and Loop
- Seasons: Spring thru Fall
- Beauty: Waterfall, Overlooks, Creek, Woodlands
Waterfalls close to Denver don’t have a lot of wow-factor, but they make great for great destination hikes. There are 3 ways to hike to the falls. Our favorite is the Cliff Trail loop because it gives you the falls a reward at the end. The falls are more of a series cascades, but are worth the hike.
You have several options for your hike to Maxwell Falls.
1. The Short Version: Less than 1 mile round trip – Begin at the Upper Trailhead and follow the signs to the falls. It’s just under half a mile, one way.
2. The Cliff Trail Loop: 3 Miles – Start at the upper trailhead lot. The trail will split a couple times and you’ll want to bear left, following the signs that point you down the Cliff Trail. You’ll climb a bit to a rock promontory that gives you beautiful views of the valley below. You will begin a descent to the creek bed, then the trail will turn and head upstream. Follow it until you hear the falls. After the falls, follow the trail back up to the upper lot.
3. Lower Maxwell Falls Hike – 4 Miles Round Trip – Begin at the lower parking area and hike up the valley and along Maxwell Creek for about 2 miles. About 1.7 miles along the trail, you’ll cross to the other side of the creek. Shortly after that, you’ll hear the falls. Return the same way you came.
Related Hikes:
- Hike Distance: 1.4 Miles+Spurs
- Denver Drive Time: 40
- Difficulty: Medium (can be difficult over rocks)
- Duration: 1hr+
- Activities: Hiking Trails, No bikes or horses are allowd
- Dogs: Allowed on Leash
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Loop
- Seasons: All Season
- Beauty: Historical Monument, Rock Formations, Front Range Views, Wildlife: Rock squirrels and cliff swallows
- Hike Distance: .32 mile (.64 RT)
- Denver Drive Time: 50 min
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Duration: 30-40 Round Trip
- Activities: Rock Climbing, Hiking, Picnic Areas, Nearby Waterfall
- Dogs: Allowed on Leash
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Seasons: All Season
- Beauty: Cliffs, Cave, Mature Ponderosa Pines
- Fee Required: Visit Colorado State Parks Site
These two trails can be combined to get a full hike along the cliff band that runs along the western edge of Castlewood Canyon State Park. A cave can be found near the middle of the trail. Read More
