Information on
Where and When to Hike
What to Bring
Hiring a Guide
Where and When to Hike
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park: Rim Rock Nature Trail
Distance: 1 mile (round trip)
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Best Time to Hike: Spring, Summer, Fall
Nearest Town: Montrose
Highlights: Native plant viewing, interpretive signs, views of the Gunnison River
- Colorado National Monument: Serpents Trail
Distance: 1.75 miles (one way)
Difficulty: Easy
Best Time to Hike: Spring, Summer, Fall
Nearest Town: Fruita
Highlights: Views into the Grand Valley, rubbing elbows with locals, sunrise views
- Pawnee National Grassland: Pawnee Buttes Trail
Distance: 1.5 miles (one way)
Difficulty: Easy
Best Time to Hike: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Nearest Town: Grover
Highlights: Pronghorn, birds, Pawnee Buttes, settler wagon ruts
- Roxborough State Park: Fountain Valley Loop Trail
Distance: 2.3 (one way)
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Best Time to Hike: Spring, Summer, Fall
Nearest Town: Littleton
Highlights: Various ecosystems, golden eagles, mule deer, fox, rock formations
- Rocky Mountain National Park: Bear Lake Trail
Distance: 0.6 (one way)
Difficulty: Easy
Best Time to Hike: Summer
Nearest Town: Estes Park
Highlights: Lake, pine trees, mule deer, elk
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park’s depth and narrow width are so dramatic that sunlight filters onto its floor for only a few hours each day. At its deepest, the canyon plunges 2,722 feet (more than twice the height of the Empire State Building) to the swiftly flowing Gunnison River below. At its most narrow, the distance from rim to rim is only 1,100 feet. Hike through this magnificent location and keep your eyes open for great blue herons, bighorn sheep, mule deer and elk, among other animals—they can all be seen throughout many parts of the canyon. If you feel like climbing instead of hiking, the canyon's sheer walls have been challenging expert rock climbers for years.
South Rim: Rim Rock Nature Trail
Distance: 1 mile (round trip)
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Best Time to Hike: Spring, Summer, Fall
Nearest Town: Montrose
Highlights: Native plant viewing, interpretive signs, views of the Gunnison River
Description: This trail follows a section of the scrub-oak-covered South Rim and provides vistas deep into the canyon and the Gunnison River flowing below. Pinyon pine and Utah juniper are prevalent, and informational signs provide facts about the surrounding geology. Look to the brush for songbirds and keep an ear trained for their melodies.
Directions: From the town of Montrose, travel east on US Highway 50 to CO Highway 347 north, leading directly into the park. Once in the park, take South Rim Road to South Rim Campground. The trailhead begins from the campground.
Back to list of trails
Top of page
Colorado National Monument
Rim Rock Road skirts the edge of sheer cliffs and leads visitors through the monument. Rugged trails stand ready to lead you to the bottom of the ravines or along their edges. Red sandstone imitates the color of the sunset, and along with colorfully striated cliff walls, rock arches, high mesas and ample wildlife, the scenery of Colorado National Monument will leave you wide eyed. Because of the area’s intriguing geology, the site appeals to rockhounds from around the world.
Serpents Trail
Distance: 1.75 miles (one way)
Difficulty: Easy
Best Time to Hike: Spring, Summer, Fall
Nearest Town:
Fruita
Highlights: Views into the Grand Valley, rubbing elbows with locals, sunrise views
Description: This is a relatively easy trail that rises 700 feet by way of a series of well-graded switchbacks. At the top of the rise, enjoy a view of the Grand Valley, including the towns of Palisade and Grand Junction. This trail was once the Colorado National Monument’s original road leading through the park; it is now an often-frequented hike popular with locals looking for a little early morning exercise. The valley itself is home to vine-ripened grapes that are expertly tended to become bold area wines.
Directions: From Glenwood Springs, travel west on I-70 to Horizon Drive, exit 31, leading to the east entrance. The trailhead is a quarter mile from the park entrance.
Back to list of trails
Top of page
Pawnee National Grassland
Take a ride through the same terrain once traveled by early pioneers of the West. Pawnee National Grassland is overseen by the National Forest Service and was created to stay the hand of progress on the natural grasses of the area, in order to preserve the original landscape. Through conservation efforts, the area remains pure, unadulterated Colorado prairie.
Pawnee Buttes Trail
Distance: 1.5 miles (one way)
Difficulty: Easy
Best Time to Hike: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Nearest Town: Grover
Highlights: Pronghorn, birds, Pawnee Buttes, settler wagon ruts
Description: The Pawnee Buttes Trail is 1.5 miles of bird watching at its best. Both hawks and falcons call this area home, and seeing these raptors circling the skies and riding thermals in search of prey is a treat often witnessed. Of course, a constant sight rising from the broad prairie are the Pawnee Buttes. At nearly 300 feet high, these sandstone rock formations tower over the arid plains and define the landscape of the trail.
Directions: From I-25, take CO Highway 14 east for 50 miles to CR 103. Head north on CR 103, and follow the directional signs while traveling through Keota to Pawnee Buttes.
Back to list of trails
Top of page
Roxborough State Park
Red rocks spring from grassy fields, birds rush through the crisp blue sky and elk and deer graze within thickets and clearings. These are common sights in Roxborough State Park. This day-use park does not allow bikes, pets or personal motorized vehicles, leaving nothing but the tranquility of unadulterated natural beauty for your hike. The park does operate its own motorized shuttle that takes up to seven passengers on a 2.3-mile ride around the Fountain Valley Trail, where you can experience the sights of intriguing rock formations. The shuttle is a great way for visitors who require assistance getting around to appreciate the park's pristine setting. There is no camping in this park, but there’s plenty to explore from sun up to sun down.
Fountain Valley Loop Trail
Distance: 2.3 miles (one way)
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Best Time to Hike: Spring, Summer, Fall
Nearest Town: Littleton
Highlights: Various ecosystems, golden eagles, mule deer, fox, rock formations
Description: This loop is ideal if you're staying near Denver and want a short jaunt into Colorado’s countryside. The 2.3-mile trail loops through habitats of a number of different animals, including mule deer, fox and golden eagles, among others. Two picturesque rock formations, Lyons and Fountain, are easily seen from the trailhead. At the midway point on this one- to two-hour hike are a group of cabins built at the turn of the 20th century by Henry Persse. Originally, Persse envisioned the area as a resort destination, and these structures were part of his larger plan. Luckily for lovers of the outdoors, his vision never came to fruition, and hikers are left with meandering trails and rustic scenery.
Directions: From Wadsworth Boulevard in Denver, head south past Chatfield State Park. Turn left on Waterton Road until it ends at North Rampart Range Road. Turn right on North Rampart Range Road. At the intersection of North Rampart Range Road and Roxborough Park Road, turn left onto Roxborough Park Road. The park entrance is the next right.
Back to list of trails
Top of page
Rocky Mountain National Park
As a tribute to the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains, this park encompasses the pure and natural beauty of the region. With high-mountain lakes and streams, peaks at more than 14,000 feet, thick evergreen forests and dozens of species of wildlife, this park will provide you with the quintessential Rocky Mountain image.
Bear Lake Trail
Distance: 0.6 miles (one way)
Difficulty: Easy
Best Time to Hike: Summer
Nearest Town: Estes Park
Highlights: Lake, pine trees, mule deer, elk
Description: This exceedingly easy trail loops around small, pristine Bear Lake. The trail leads through a pine forest and receives quite a bit of snow during winter. Regardless of the season, the protective tree line dampens sound and will protect you from wind and overheating. The towering trees also provide a perfect habitat for a variety of birds, elk and deer. Informational kiosks are located throughout the trail to further explain the area’s flora, fauna and geology. If you’re traveling with young ones, this is an ideal opportunity to let them hike off any pent-up energy.
Directions: From Denver, take US 34 or 36 through Estes Park. Follow signs for the national park entrance and continue down Trail Ridge Road to the trailhead. From either west or south of the park, take I-70 to US Route 40, then Route 34 through Grand Lake. The trail is closer to the western entrance of the park (Estes Park), so trips via the eastern portal will require a farther drive through the park to reach the Bear Lake trail.
NOTE: Trail Ridge Road is closed from Labor Day to Memorial Day. Bear Lake is usually accessible during road closures via the Estes Park entrance.
Back to list of trails
Top of page
What to Bring
Sturdy shoes
Map
Passes and Permits
Water
First-Aid Kit
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Comfortable Clothing
Jacket (heavy, rain-proof jacket for fall and winter; light jacket for spring and summer)
Field Guide
Top of page
Hiring a Guide
If you’d rather hike a guided route, a number of outfitters are available to assist you. Hiring a guide is a wonderful way to learn more about the ecosystem and history surrounding each hike, and since guides are privy to lesser-known trails, you can enjoy more of nature without competing for trail space with other outdoor enthusiasts.
Find an extensive list of guided hiking companies throughout Colorado.
Top of page