The Top 5 Day Hikes Near Denver, Colorado

 

Are you visiting Colorado’s capital this summer? Make one of these easy day hikes near Denver part of your vacation plans.

This past weekend, my husband and I went on our first of many summertime hikes in Colorado. Now that we’re back in town from our year of travels, we’re soaking up the scenery we missed so much. One of the things that makes Denver an attractive spot for summer vacations and honeymoons is the accessibility of both fun city activities and natural escapes.

St Mary’s Glacier

About a 45-minute drive from Denver, you can find a perennial snowfield called St. Mary’s Glacier. The hike, while less than a mile, is moderately steep, and you will be rewarded with stunning views. Crazy amounts of wildflowers line the trail in the summer, both near the glacier + the cliff jumping spots. We even saw some people hiking in with their skis so they could ride down the snowfield – pretty crazy for July, but hey, this is Colorado!

If you want to cliff jump, wear a suit under your hiking clothes and pack a towel. Disclaimer: PLEASE check the water levels of the lake and use good judgment when cliff jumping! This can be dangerous, particularly in dry seasons. There are several jumping points at various heights, depending on your level of bravery.

Also, be respectful to the residents of the area and follow parking and camping guidelines. Good trail etiquette keeps them open for all to enjoy.

It’s easy to see why this hike is a favorite: the stunning views, the short drive from Denver, the manageable trail length + the combination of outdoorsy things you can do there all add up to make it a winner.

Waterton Canyon

Colorado never ceases to amaze me (at least it hasn’t yet in the ten years I’ve been here). For example, you can drive 30 minutes from the city and swap cycling commuters for bighorn sheep as your trail companions. This is a fantastic swap, like getting someone in third grade to give you their Cheetos for your carrot sticks. So what do you do if you have a super short visit to Denver + you can’t make it up I-70 all the way into the mountains? You should MAKE time, but that’s another argument for another day. In the meantime, go on this hike in Waterton Canyon.

Get your nature on without sacrificing being able to make it back to civilization for happy hour. And if you don’t care about making it to happy hour (or anything else for that matter), you can hike 500 miles all the way to Durango on the Colorado Trail, which starts here at Waterton Canyon.

Enchanted Forest

This hike is near Golden, Colorado and is popular with both hikers and mountain bikers. The first part of Apex Trail is sunny and runs along a small creek. Once you reach the enchanted forest, it cools down as you meander along a beautiful tree-lined trail. The way the sunlight streamed through the evergreen branches, I was half expecting an elf to pop out from behind a tree, Lord of the Rings style. Hiking on an odd-numbered day will ensure that you have less bicycle traffic since the trail is uphill-only to cyclists on those days. We hiked on an even-numbered day because we like to tempt fate, but managed to get on the trail early enough to avoid too many crowds.

After your hike, head into Golden for the free Coors Brewery tour or meander around their quaint downtown.

Dakota Ridge + Red Rocks

The trail to Dakota Ridge has a steep ascent but then levels off once you reach the top of the ridge. On one side, you’ve got views of the city of Denver, and on the other, you can look down into Red Rocks Park. Red Rocks has several hiking trails along with the famous outdoor amphitheater. If you don’t have concert tickets, the amphitheater is a great place to watch the sunrise with a breathtaking view of Denver. Its towering steps are a favorite workout spot for the early morning crowd. Trust me, you’ll be feeling your quads tomorrow!

Upper Maxwell Falls

If you’re looking for a waterfall hike, head up to Evergreen for Maxwell Falls. There is a lower trailhead as well as an Upper Trailhead, and the lower trail appears to be the more popular choice based on the sizes of each parking lot. Get out early if you want to be sure to find a spot to park. We did the upper trailhead, and it was a leisurely hike down to the falls. This hike is an excellent option for a picnic lunch with a scenic view, before heading back to your car.

For a great hiking experience in Colorado, be sure to bring plenty of water and sun protection. If you’ve just arrived in town, take it slow as the elevation plays a significant role in dehydration and sunburn! There is something so restorative about being out in the wilderness, listening to the wind through the trees + water falling over the rocks. Add in the company of a few genuinely wonderful people + you have yourself a practically perfect day.

Have you tried any of these easy day hikes near Denver? I’d love to hear how it went!

Preserve Your Vacation Memories with an Heirloom Travel Film

Whether you’re coming to Denver for a romantic getaway or for a family vacation, the perfect way to remember your trip is with the Juniper package. Capture videos with your smartphone following my easy steps, and I’ll edit your video clips into a keepsake travel film that will take you back to that adventure each time you watch it. Don’t let your memories collect dust on your hard drive!

Want a sneak peek of the goods before you sign up? I’ve got my free secrets to an amazing travel video available in a free email course. Sign up here!