- Hike Distance: 1.3 Miles (RT)
- Denver Drive Time: 40 Min
- Difficulty: Easy
- Duration: 45 Min
- Activities: Picnic Area, Hiking Trails, Boating, Fishing, Ice Skating.
- Dogs: Allowed on Leash
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Loop
- Seasons: All Season
- Beauty: Lake, Sunsets, Wetlands, Wildlife: Elk & Migratory Birds.
- Portions of this Trail are Handicap Accessible
Evergreen Lake Trail is a 1.3 mile loop in the quaint mountain town of Evergreen, Colorado. If you have a young family like us, and are looking for an easy hike near Denver, this is a great choice. Read More
- Hike Distance: 3 Miles (RT)
- Denver Drive Time: 55min
- Difficulty: Medium
- Duration: 2.5 hrs+
- Activities: Hiking Trails, Fishing, Backcountry Camping, Visitors Center
- Dogs: Allowed on Leash
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Seasons: Spring to Fall
- Beauty: Pond, Old Homestead Ruins, Wildlife: Mule Deer, Golden Eagle, Aberts Squirrel, Stellar Jay.
- Trail Map Link: Click Here
- Park Fee Required Click For Info
The Forgotten Valley in Golden Gate Canyon State Park is a step back in time. This day hike near Denver takes you 1.5 miles to an old homestead complete with front porch views of the small lake that sits in the bottom of the valley. Read More
- 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: 2-4 Miles
- Denver Drive Time: 30
- Difficulty: Easy
- Duration: 1 to 2.5 Hrs
- Activities: Fishing, Hiking Trails
- Dogs: Allowed on Leash
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Loop
- Seasons: All Season
- Beauty: Front Range Views, Bluff Top Views, Irrigation Ditch, Reservoir
Related Hikes:
- Hike Distance: 0.6 mile
- Denver Drive Time: 2hrs
- Difficulty:Easy
- Duration: 30min
- Activities: Picnicking, Snowshoeing, Hiking Trails
- Dogs: Prohibited in the Park
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Loop
- Seasons: Spring thru Fall
- Beauty: Sub-Alpine Lake, Mountain Views, Wildlife: Abert’s Squirrel, Elk, Bear
- Trail Maps: Click Here
- Temperature at Bear Lake Click Here
- Fee: Park Pass Required
Bear lake is the epicenter of Rocky Mountain National Park. This means that you can access a ton of trails from here, but it also means a lot of traffic. So, we always recommend getting there early, on weekdays, and on the off-season – if you can. The Bear Lake Trail is a short 0.6 mile loop around a beautiful lake with views of the Rocky Mountains. The hike is considered handicap accessible, however Read More
- Hike Distance: 1.2 Miles+
- Denver Drive Time: 15 min
- Difficulty: Easy
- Duration: 45min+
- Activities: Horseback Riding, Fishing, Hiking, Picnic Areas
- Dogs: Allowed on Leash in Most Areas
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Loop
- Seasons: All Year
- Beauty: Lake, Wildlife Sanctuary, Front Range Views, Wildlife: Ducks, Geese
- Trail Map Link: Click Here
An Oasis in the midst of busy Denver, Crown Hill Lake Park is just that. Jefferson County seems to turn to gold about every park they touch. The park has beautiful views of the Front Range, including the Flatirons. On the northwest side, you’ll find a wildlife sanctuary for migratory birds. The park has 3 miles of paved trails and .7 of them are considered ADA accessible. Read More
- Hike Distance: 1.7 miles
- Denver Drive Time: 30
- Difficulty: Easy
- Duration: 1hr+
- Activities: Hiking Trails, Wildlife Viewing, Seasonal Fishing
- Dogs: Prohibited in the Refuge
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Loop
- Seasons: All Season
- Beauty: Grassland, Front Range Views, Lakes Wildlife: wild Bison, Deer, Coyotes, Bald Eagles and Burrowing Owls.
- Closed Mondays
An arsenal turned into a Wildlife Refuge. What a great idea! The refuge boasts over 8000 acres and over 300 species of wildlife. It also hosts three lakes and Denver lake hikes.
How to Hike the Loop: Check in and begin your hike at the visitors center. Follow the Lake Mary Trail along the northwest of the lake until it merges with the the Prairie Trail. Follow the Prairie Trail to the south until it merges with the Ladora Trail which will take you back to the visitors center and along the shore of Lake Ladora. Read More
This hike near Fort Collins, Colorado ends with a beautiful panoramic view of Lory State Park. You’ll pass through meadows, forest, then end your hike with a scramble to the top of Arthur’s Rock. Dogs are allowed on a leash, just be sure to bring plenty of water as there are not many places to access drinking water.
- Hike Distance: 1.7 Miles (3.4 RT)
- Denver Drive Time: 1hr 30 min
- Difficulty: Medium
- Duration: 1hr 15min
- Activities: Hiker Only Trail, but Park offers Picnic Areas, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking, Canoeing, & Kayaking
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Seasons: Spring to Fall
- Beauty: Views of Horsetooth Lake, Views of the Front Range, Forests, and Meadows, Wildlife:
Agreat Colorado park to take visiting family and friends. It’s an hour from Denver and has very short trail, but it’s a great place to introduce others to the beauty of the Rocky Mountains and to take in a high Colorado lake. The trail along the lake connects to several trails: Read More
- Hike Distance: 1.8 Mile
- Denver Drive Time: 1hr 45min
- Difficulty: Easy (but consider altitude)
- Duration: 1 hrs
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Seasons: Summer & Fall, Winter & Spring (expect snow – snowshoes)
- Beauty: Lakes, Waterfalls, Cascades Wildlife: Abert’s Squirrel, Birds, Bears, Elk.
- Fee: Park Pass Required
AColorado Hike with a lot of bang for the buck. What we mean is that there is a lot to see on this .9 mile stretch of trail. Starting at Bear Lake, you’ll take in a total of three Colorado lakes, and pass a small waterfall near the top of the trail. If you are looking for a handicap accessible hike, the trail around Bear Lake may be the best handicap accessible trail in Colorado. Read More
