- 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: 3.7Miles (RT)
- Denver Drive Time: 30
- Difficulty: Easy
- Duration: 2hrs
- Activities: Hiking, Cylcing, Birdwatching, Pond, Picnic Shelter
- Dogs: Allowed on Leash
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Seasons: All Year
- Beauty: Giant Cottonwood Trees, Highline Canal, Wetlands, Waterfowl, Pond at the Fly’n B Park
- Trail Map Link: Click Here (see A6 to A2)
Denver’s Highline Canal was designed as an irrigation stream, but it has become a 66 mile long hiking and biking trail running through the heart of Denver. This particular hiking trail section is in the Littleton & Highlands Ranch area. There are two parking lots from which you can start the hike: the Countyline Road Trailhead, or the Fly’n B Park lot. Round Trip, this segment is about 4 miles. From the Countyline Trailhead, cross over the first footbridge and head South (left). You’ll run into an intersection about 200 yards up. Take a right to continue following the Highline.
Water flows in the highland canal about 90 days a year. Because the canal only drops two feet per mile, the water, even when it is flowing fast, appears calm. This is part of what gives this trail such a pastoral feel, even though it is close to 470. Immense Cottonwood trees arch over the path, and all sorts of birds decorate the bushes and wetlands that have grown up wild along its edges.
The trail is great for a stroller hike and for wheelchairs. After about 2 miles of trail, you’ll walk through a tunnel that goes under 470. You’ll then emerge to find yourself at Fly’n B Park. It looks like it is an old ranch that has been converted into a great park near Highlands Ranch. It features a small pond with boat dock, and a fantastic shelter house. The pond looks like a perfect place to take kids fishing in Denver. We haven’t tried it out yet, so we would love your feedback if you have. The Highlands Ranch Metro District Parks has plans to renovate the home on the property. Outdoor restrooms and some parking is available. However, we recommend parking at the Countyline Road Trailhead for this hike.
Tips:
- A detailed guide to of the Highline Canal Trail can be ordered from Denver Water.
- Take some snacks and extra water. The Highline continues well beyond this section and you’re likely to want to explore more of it.
- From the Countyline Trailhead, you can also go North towards for views of McLellan Reservoir and the Front Range.
Related Hikes:
Our children are not big enough to hike long distances yet. So, we usually we put the kiddos in the child carrier backpacks. When we can though, we try to break out the Bob Stroller and hit a local trail. Here are 4 trails close to Denver that work great with a stroller.
Criteria for these Denver Area Stroller Hikes
- Crushed Gravel or Paved Trail
- Great Views or Natural Features
- Accessibility
Click on the Maroon Links to get directions, trail maps, and hiking profiles.
#1 The Bluffs Loop South of Denver
This 2.7 mile loop trail is one of our favorites, and probably is the hike we do the most. The Bluffs provide panoramic views of Colorado’s Front Rang and of downtown Denver. We try to go around 7pm when the sun is setting. You’re likely to see deer and meadowlarks along the trail. Right now, we just hike it, but Read More
Looking for a great place to picnic near Denver? As we have been profiling hiking trails close to Denver, we have taken notes on the best picnic areas.
Criteria for these Denver Picnic Areas
- At Least 1 Picnic Table
- Close to some great hiking
- Great Views or Natural Features
Click on the Maroon Links to get directions and hiking profiles.
#1 Daniels Park Picnic Area
Daniel’s Park is our favorite for watching the sun set – they are some of the best sunsets you’ll see on the front range of Colorado. The park is small, but has an old rock picnic shelter complete with a stone fireplace. There are picnic tables throughout the park and a few grills as well. Daniel’s Park is located in South Denver about 10 minutes Read More
- Hike Distance: .2, 3, or 5.4 Mile
- Denver Drive Time: 35
- Difficulty: Easy
- Duration: 20 Min to 2.5 Hrs
- Activities: Picnic Areas, Shelter House with Fireplace, Bison viewing area, Hiking
- Dogs: Allowed on Leash
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Seasons: All Season
- Beauty: Front Range Views, Rock Formations, Bison.
We are featuring Daniel’s Park ,not for it’s trails, but because it has one of the best views of the Front Range near Denver. From the park, you can see Pikes Peak in the South, Mt. Evans in the West, and Longs Peak in the North. The trails are not handicap accessible, but the shelter house is (after a bit of a bump trail), and is a perfect place to watch the sun set. 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: 5.3 Miles of Trail
- Denver Drive Time: 35 Min
- Difficulty: Easy
- Duration: 30 min to 4hrs
- Activities: Hiking, Running, Biking, Birdwatching
- Dogs: Allowed on Leash
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Seasons: All Season
- Beauty: Cottonwoods, Meadows, Wetlands, Wildlife: Prebles Meadow Jumping Mouse, Beavers, Migratory Birds.
- Trail Map Link: Click Here
The East Plum Creek Trail winds through the heart of Castle Rock, Colorado, through wetlands, and along the banks of Plum Creek. Starting from the Meadows Parkway lot, Read More
- Hike Distance: .6 & .8 Mile Loops
- Denver Drive Time: 30 Min
- Difficulty: Easy
- Duration: 30 Min
- Activities: Picnic Area, Hiking, Nature Center, Picnic Area, Birdwatching
- Dogs: Not Allowed
- Directions: Click for Google Map
- Trail Type: Loop
- Seasons: Hours Vary
- Beauty: Front Range Views, Ponderosa Pine, Wildlife: Abert’s Squirrels, and Deer.
- Trail Map Link: Click Here
Lookout Mountain Nature Center has 2 short loop hikes. If you have young children, this is a perfect trip. The trails at Lookout Mountain are short loops: 1- The Meadow Loop (.8 mile) & 2 – Forest Loop Trail (.6 mile). If you are looking for a longer hike on Lookout Mountain, Read More
- 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
