Elk Meadow Park has just over 13 miles of hiking trails near Denver that wind through it’s lower meadows, through ponderosa forest, and two more strenuous options that lead to the summit of Bergen Peak. This profiles a 2.6 mile loop that begins at the south parking area. To form the loop, combine the Meadow View Trail, Elk Ridge Trail, and the Sleepy “S” trail. Use the Elk Meadow Park map at this link. We chose this route because we have 2 children under 3 years old, and it was a good choice – just long enough, trails close to Denver, and lots of change of scenery during a short hike.

There is an off-leash dog area just on the other side of the street from the south parking lot (not visible on this older google map, so you’ll have to trust us that it’s there). If you like to hike with your dog, this is a great place to stop before you hike. Here is a link to the Jefferson County info page on the off-leash area. Dogs are required to be leashed in all other areas of the park.

Tips:

• The Easy way. Take the loop clockwise for the easier route and counter-clockwise if you are looking for a more strenuous (but not much) hike.
• Enjoy some time in Evergreen: The town of Evergreen is a great place to retreat to during the summer. It’s a few degrees cooler, Bear Creek runs through town, and you’ll find some great places to eat.

Related Hikes Near Evergreen Colorado:

• Evergreen Lake Trail
• Alderefer Three Sisters Hike
• O Fallon Park Trails Near Evergreen