- 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: 3.2 Miles
- Denver Drive Time: 50min
- Difficulty: Medium
- Duration: 1.5 hr
- Activities: Picnic Area, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking, Hiking Trails
- Dogs: Allowed on Leash
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Loop
- Seasons: All Season
- Beauty: Views of Boulder, Wildlife: Aberts Squirrel & Deer, Ponderosa Forest, Meadows
- Trail Map Link: Click Here
Tips:
- Make your hike at Betasso Preserve a bit easier by starting from the East Trailhead
- Mountain Bikers: Each month the direction of travel required for Mountain Bikers is switched. Check the sign at the trailhead. Additionally, biking is not allowed on Wed. & Sat.
- Hikers: Check the sign at the trailhead as well and try to hike the opposite direction of the bike traffic.
Related Hikes:
- Hike Distance: .17+ miles (see trail options below)
- Denver Drive Time: 50min
- Difficulty: Easy to Medium
- Duration: 20min
- 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
- Seasons: All Season
- Beauty: Cherry Creek, Waterfall, Interesting Geology, Canyon Views, Ruins
- Fee Required: Visit Colorado State Parks Site
This may be the most accessible waterfall near Denver. If you hit the right parking lot, the hike takes only abut 10 minutes. But is a hike really a hike if it only takes 10 minutes? So, grab a park brochure and find the Northernmost trailhead for the Creek Bottom Trail (Homestead Trailhead). This will add close to 1 mile to your hike. Then you can loop back via the Cherry Creek Trail for a total of about 2 miles.
Tips:
- The West Side entrance can be hard to find. Read More
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
