- Hike Distance: 1/4 Mile
- Denver Drive Time: 1hr 40 min
- Difficulty: Easy (but consider altitude)
- Duration: 15-20 min
- Activities: picnics, hiking, viewing wildlife
- Fee Required: See Fee Schedule Link
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Seasons: Open early summer through Fall, Check Sites for Closure: #1 – #2
- Beauty: Lakes, Mountain Peak Views, High Country Tundra, Wildlife: Mountain Goats, Bighorn Sheep, Marmots, & Pika.
What it lacks in challenge Mt. Evans makes up in breathtaking panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains and opportunities to view wildlife up close. It isn’t much of a hike, because you can summit this 14,265 foot peak in just a few minutes. Yet your trip to Mount Evans can include several stops at high mountains lakes, to view wildflowers, and to take in the expansive scenery (See our itinerary below). This is one of the best attractions near Denver for visiting friends and family, especially if you don’t have the luxury or equipment to take them into the Colorado backcountry. The views are stunning and Read More
- 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: 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: .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: 1.4 miles
- Denver Drive Time: 30
- Difficulty: Medium
- Duration: 1hr
- Activities: Picnic Area, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking, Hiking Trails
- Dogs: Allowed on Leash
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Loop
- Seasons: Summer & Fall
- Beauty: Grassland, Front Range Views, Bluff Overlooks, Wildlife: Prairie Dogs, Rabbits, Red Fox.
- Hike Distance: 1.6 Miles
- Denver Drive Time: 30min
- Difficulty: Easy
- Duration: 45min
- Activities: Picnic Areas, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking, Adjacent Dog Park
- Dogs: Allowed on Leash
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Loop
- Seasons: All Year
- Beauty: Grassland, Front Range Views, Cherry Creek, Wildlife: Pronghorn Antelope, Rattlesnakes, Prairie Dogs, & Deer, Rabbits, Scrub Jays, & Spotted Towhees
- Hike Distance: 1.2 (2.4RT)
- Denver Drive Time: 50 min
- Difficulty: Easy
- Duration: 1hr or less
- Activities: Guided Audio Nature Tour, Hiking, Picnic Areas, Visitors Center
- Dogs: Allowed on Leash in Most Areas
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Seasons: All Season
- Beauty: Interesting Geology, Canyon Views, Interpretive trail, Wildflowers, Birdwatching
- Fee Required: Visit Colorado State Parks Site
One of the best handicap accessible trails near Denver, the Canyon View Nature Trail at Castlewood Canyon State Park is a 1.2 mile interpretive trail. It runs along the western edge of the top of the canyon and weaves through ponderosa pine and a wonderful variety of wildflowers. 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
- Hike Distance:1.8 Miles
- Denver Drive Time: 30
- Difficulty: Easy (super easy)
- Duration: 1hr
- Activities: Parks, Shops, Kayaking, People Watching, Rollerblading, and biking.
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Seasons: All Season
- Beauty: Clear Creek, Cliff Swallows, Tree lined river
- This Trail is Handicap Accessible
Want a hike to please everyone? This is it. It’s got shade, the kids can bring their bikes, and you can finish your hike with a stroll around downtown. We might get some flack for calling this a hike, because it runs through the business district of Golden, CO. But you can wear the soles of your shoes down on this one. Jefferson County even has plans to expand the trail several miles into Clear Creek Canyon.
When you have small children, some mornings can be harder than others to get through the foothills and into the mountains. Read More
