5 Easy Day Hikes Near Denver - for the City Girl Hiker
Spring is nearly here! Finally! And if you’re anything like me you can already feel the fever setting in HEAVY. After about five months so far of snow and cold weather, I’ve been DYING to spend some time outside to soak up some warmth and sunshine!
I’ve lived in Denver for five years now, and unfortunately as much as I keep hoping that one day the native Coloradans will have officially rubbed off their natural trailblazing traits onto me - it still hasn’t happened yet. Frankly,I know who I am and I’m FAR from being considered the outdoorsy type. But I do still love soaking up some fresh air and enjoying an easy-to-moderate day hike during the warm months!
Colorado is an INCREDIBLE state that's sprawling with breathtaking views and hikes for every ability level, even extreme beginners like myself!
Here’s a list of my top five go-to day hikes near Denver that are only within an hour from the city.
Boulder Falls
Full honesty - Boulder Falls barely counts as a hike and is more of a scenic walk-up, but regardless it’s one of my favorite places to spend a summer day when I’m craving a quick trip out of the city!
Difficulty: Easy
Hike Distance: 100 yd
Distance from Denver: 49 Minutes
Attire: Anything goes! I’ve seen people wear everything from street clothes, to hiking gear, to bathing suites. If you’re planning a day at the falls during the summer, I’d recommend a comfortable outfit with a bathing suit underneath. There are several wading pools around the falls that are perfect for cooling off from the Colorado heat! Bring a picnic and spend the day lounging in the water!
Parking: Parking can be a little tricky and easy to pass on your way up the mountain, so keep your eyes peeled!
There’s free parking directly to the left of the Boulder Falls trailhead, but it can fill up quickly. If parking happens to be unavailable then feel free to keep driving a bit further and keep your eyes out for additional pull-off areas on the left-hand side of the street.
Dinosaur Ridge Trail
Dinosaur Ridge is another great hike if you’re looking for an incredibly easy trail without sacrificing gorgeous views!
A majority of this trail is paved, and you can leisurely stroll along the road and read signs that point out fossilized dinosaur bones and footprints along the mountain! It’s such a cool thing to see!
Once you’ve reached the end of the pavement, you’ll see a trailhead marker which will lead you up a rocky path that ultimately takes you to an overlook where you can get incredible views of Red Rocks Amphitheater and parts of Morrison, Colorado.
Difficulty: Easy
Hike Distance: 2 Miles
Distance from Denver: 26 Minutes
Parking: Parking is free on weekends and paid parking is available during weekdays.
Attire: Whatever you feel! Honestly I’ve done this trail wearing some pretty weird and not-hiking-recommended outfits, and I was still fine. With that said, comfortable close-toed shoes are the smart way to go! And always remember to bring water with you on any hike, regardless of the difficulty level (Denver’s altitude is no joke!).
North Table Mountain, West Trailhead - Short version
This is such a fun hike with a great payoff!
Locals here know that there are two times during the day that are ideal for hiking Table Mesa; early in the morning to catch the sunrise over Denver’s skyline, or early evening to watch the sunset over the Golden, Colorado mountain range.
Either option is a great way to start or end your day!
There are several trail options throughout North Table Mountain (ranging in difficulty levels) that are great for a day hike, but I prefer to follow along the North Table Loop trail at my own pace! My favorite way to do this hike is to take the North Table Loop trail to the Golden Cliffs trail, and then I normally circle back the way I came. But you can always choose to keep going and finish the loop, which is about 6-8 miles in total!
This trail is paved and uphill for the first portion, so be prepared to get slightly winded on the way to the top of the trailhead, and then the terrain is pretty rocky for the remainder of the trail. I promise the view is worth it!
Difficulty: Moderate
Hike Distance: 3.8 Miles
Distance from Denver: 30 Minutes
Attire: Hiking shoes and comfortable clothing are highly recommended! Also, water is a must on all hikes so please remember to stay hydrated out there!
Parking: There’s a designated parking lot at the base of the North Table Mountain West trailhead. The lot is located on Pine Ridge Road and is well announced by signs along the way. Please note that the tow company’s in there area don’t play around, so please don’t risk parking on the sides of the road around the lot!
Rattlesnake Gulch Trail
Full honesty, this is probably one of my top favorite and most frequented hikes on this list!
The Rattlesnake Gulch trail is one of many hiking options inside Eldorado Canyon State Park, and it’s one of the top hikes near Denver that I take friends and family to explore when they come visit.
Inside the state park you’ll find tons of options for hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and even a designated picnic/swimming area! Though personally, the Rattlesnake Gulch trail up to the Continental divide is still my go-to when I’m feeling the need to escape the downtown Denver scene for a few hours.
The trail will first take you up about 1.2 miles to the ruins of the Crag Hotel (which mysteriously burnt to the ground in 1912), and then up an additional 1.4 miles to the Continental Divide overlook where you’ll be able to look out over the pains towards certain western peaks! The views are incredible!
Difficulty: Moderate
Hike Distance: 2.5 - 4 Miles
Distance from Denver: 45 Minutes
Attire: Hiking shoes, water, and comfortable/athletic clothing.
The trail is rocky in many places and will take you up quick elevation. Be prepared to bring sturdy shoes for hiking, lots of water, and take your time to rest when needed.
Parking: Eldorado Canyon State Park charges $8.00 for parking and once you’re inside you can choose to park at any of the designated spaces throughout the area. With that being said, earlier is better when planning a trip to the area during the spring or summer months! Spaces fill up fast, and getting to the park early will save you the extra distance of having to find parking outside of the state park and trek your way up to the canyon.
Saint Mary’s Glacier
This hike is great if you’re wanting to spend some time deeper into the mountains, while also still only being about an hour away from Denver!
Saint Mary’s Glacier is a rocky uphill trail that pays off with gorgeous views! I’ve hiked the glacier during all seasons, but in my opinion, spring and summer are by far the best times to visit.
One of my favorite things about hiking the trail in the summer is that since the glacier keeps its icy structure all year long, it's common to see the Colorado powder-chasers come out in the warm months to bring their board for a day of runs on the year-long snow. Watching people snowboard in t-shirts during 80+ degree weather never gets old for me.
Difficulty: Moderate
Hike Distance: 1.9 Miles
Distance from Denver: 1 Hour
Attire: Hiking shoes or sturdy boots are highly recommended for this trail! The terrain is very rocky and uphill most of the way to the glacier, and the last thing you would want is to slip or roll an ankle. I also normally bring a jacket with me on this hike because it tends to get pretty windy at the top, and the breeze coming off the icy is very chilly!
Parking: There are two parking lots available near the glacier trail; one is directly below the trailhead, and the other is slightly passed the trailhead on the right-hand-side of the street. Parking at either lot is $5.00 for the day and CASH ONLY. So do remember to bring cash with you!
Pro tip: If you happen to have a hammock, bring it with you! There are tons of trees and great places to hang a hammock near the lake, and spending some time to lounge and take in the view is SO rewarding!
