Trail Guides
87 articles
Sandbeach Lake Trail: A Quiet Wild Basin Hike Under Mount Meeker (2026)
The Sandbeach Lake Trail climbs through the quiet Wild Basin corner of Rocky Mountain National Park to a rare sandy alpine shoreline under Mount Meeker. Distance, parking, permits, and camping.
St. Vrain Mountain Trail: A Quiet 12er Hike Above Allenspark (2026)
St. Vrain Mountain Trail near Allenspark: about 9 miles round trip to a 12,162-foot summit with big views of Longs Peak, Wild Basin, and the Indian Peaks.
Piney Lake, Vail: The Drive, the Ranch, and the Upper Piney Falls Trail (2026)
Piney Lake near Vail, Colorado: the Red Sandstone Road drive, canoe rentals at the ranch, and the easy 6-mile hike to Upper Piney Falls under the Gore Range.
Capitol Peak: A Climber's Guide to Colorado's Hardest 14er
Capitol Peak is Colorado's deadliest 14er. Here's the Knife Edge, the Capitol Creek trailhead, the permit, and whether you should be up there at all.
Hot Springs in Steamboat Springs, Colorado: Which One to Pick
Steamboat Springs has two main hot springs: family-friendly Old Town downtown and rustic Strawberry Park up a dirt road. Here's how to pick, plus a free soak.
James Peak Hike: Route, Trailhead, and What to Expect (2026)
The James Peak hike climbs from the St. Mary's Glacier trailhead to a 13,294-foot summit near Denver. Route, parking, difficulty, and the best months to go.
Conundrum Hot Springs: How to Backpack to Colorado's Highest Soak
Conundrum Hot Springs sits at 11,200 feet above Aspen, 8.5 miles up the trail. Here's the permit system, the hike, the 20 campsites, and what to pack.
Fourmile Canyon Creek Trailhead: A North Boulder Hiking Guide
The Fourmile Canyon Creek Trailhead in north Boulder opens onto Wonderland Lake, the Foothills Trail, and Hogback Ridge. Get parking, dog rules, and trail tips.
Loch Lomond Trail, Colorado: Hike, Drive, and Parking Guide (2026)
Loch Lomond trail near Idaho Springs, Colorado: the real hiking distance, whether you need 4WD, seasonal gate dates, parking in Alice, and the James Peak route.
Guanella Pass, Colorado: Scenic Byway, Best Hikes, and Where to See Moose (2026)
Guanella Pass is a 22-mile paved byway near Georgetown with Mount Bierstadt, alpine lakes, fall aspens, and some of Colorado's best roadside moose viewing.
Maroon Bells: A Complete Guide to Colorado's Most Photographed Peaks
How to visit the Maroon Bells near Aspen: reservations, the Crater Lake hike, the Four Pass Loop, fall color timing, and winter access, all in one guide.
Rainbow Gulch Trail: The Easy Walk to Rampart Reservoir (2026)
The Rainbow Gulch Trail is the shortest, gentlest way to reach Rampart Reservoir near Colorado Springs. Directions, distance, fishing, biking, and season tips.
Castle Peak: A Complete Guide to Hiking Colorado's Highest Elk Mountain 14er
Castle Peak (14,265 ft) is the highest summit in the Elk Mountains near Aspen. 2026 guide to the Northeast Ridge, the Montezuma Basin road, gear, and timing.
Boreas Pass, Colorado: Railroad-Grade Hikes, the Scenic Drive, and Fall Aspens Near Breckenridge
Boreas Pass sits at 11,481 feet on the Continental Divide near Breckenridge. Here's the drive, the Bakers Tank hike, fall aspen timing, and what to pack.
North Table Mountain, Golden: Trails, the West Trailhead, and Parking
North Table Mountain in Golden packs 15+ miles of trail onto a flat-topped mesa. Here's the West Trailhead, parking, the best loops, and how to beat the heat.
Summit Lake, Colorado: The Highest Lake You Can Drive To
Summit Lake sits at 12,836 feet on the Mount Blue Sky road, the highest lake you can drive to in Colorado. Trails, 2026 reopening, permits, and what to pack.
Crestone, Colorado: A Hiker's Guide to the State's Wildest Mountain Town (2026)
Crestone, Colorado sits at the foot of the Sangre de Cristos, part spiritual retreat town, part basecamp for the state's hardest 14ers. Where to hike, stay, and go.
Huron Peak: A Complete Guide to Hiking Colorado's Sawatch 14er
Huron Peak (14,003 ft) hides the best summit view in the Sawatch. Your 2026 guide to the Class 2 Winfield route, the 4WD road, gear, and when to climb it.
The Continental Divide in Colorado: Where It Is and How to Reach It
The Continental Divide runs about 750 miles through Colorado. Here's where it crosses the state, the passes you can drive, and the best hikes to reach it.
Radium Hot Springs, Colorado: A Wild Riverside Soak Near Kremmling
Radium Hot Springs is a free, wild soak on the Colorado River near Kremmling. Here's the drive, the scramble down, water temps, camping, and safety.
Cottonwood Creek Trailhead: Gateway to Mount Harvard, Columbia, and Two Alpine Lakes
The North Cottonwood Creek Trailhead near Buena Vista opens Mount Harvard, Mount Columbia, Bear Lake, and Kroenke Lake. Here's the road, routes, and timing.
Mount Evans (Mount Blue Sky): Complete Guide to Colorado's Drive-Up 14er
Mount Evans (now Mount Blue Sky) is Colorado's easiest 14,265-foot summit: drive the highest paved road in North America or hike it. Full 2026 guide.
Mount Sneffels: A Complete Guide to Climbing Colorado's Iconic San Juan 14er
Mount Sneffels (14,158 ft) is a Class 3 San Juan classic above Ouray. 2026 guide to the Yankee Boy Basin route, the V-notch scramble, gear, and timing.
Silver Dollar Lake Trail, Colorado: A Short Hike to a Big Alpine Payoff (2026)
Silver Dollar Lake near Georgetown packs a stunning alpine lake into a short, steep hike off Guanella Pass. Trailhead road, parking, distance, and when to go.
San Juan Mountains, Colorado: A Hiker's Guide to the State's Wildest Range (2026)
Colorado's San Juan Mountains hold 14 summits over 14,000 feet and the state's biggest wilderness. Where to hike, which town to base in, and when to go.
Mount Sopris, Colorado: Hiking the Twin Summits Above Carbondale (2026)
Mount Sopris rises 6,000 feet over Carbondale to twin 12,965-foot summits. Trail stats, the Thomas Lakes route, permits, and why it hikes harder than a 14er.
Hot Springs in Durango, CO: Where to Soak Near Town
Hot springs in Durango, CO: one big resort in town, a free roadside marvel, and 6 more soaks within an easy drive. Prices, hours, and how to find each one.
Mitchell Lake Trail, Colorado: Guide to Blue Lake and the Indian Peaks (2026)
The Mitchell Lake Trail near Ward runs through Indian Peaks Wilderness to Blue Lake under Mount Toll. Distances, parking reservations, moose, and season tips.
Orvis Hot Springs, Ridgway: A Complete Visitor Guide
Orvis Hot Springs in Ridgway is a clothing-optional, lithium mineral springs with ten soaking pools. Temperatures, 2026 prices, hours, and soaking etiquette.
Seven Bridges Trail, Colorado Springs: A Complete Hiking Guide
Hike the Seven Bridges Trail in North Cheyenne Cañon: about 4 miles round trip, seven creek crossings, parking tips, difficulty, and what to pack.
Lake Ann Trailhead: A Ghost-Town Path to a High Colorado Lake
Lake Ann Trailhead starts at the Winfield ghost town and climbs to an 11,805-foot alpine lake under the Three Apostles. Here's the road, route, and 14er option.
Kite Lake Trailhead: Four 14ers From One Colorado Parking Lot
Kite Lake Trailhead near Alma sits at 12,000 feet and starts the DeCaLiBron loop, four 14ers in one day. Here's the road, fees, waiver, and full route.
The Crags Trail: Pikes Peak's Quiet West Side (and Back Route to the Summit)
The Crags Trail near Divide is Pikes Peak's quiet west side: an easy 4.5-mile hike to granite spires, or the 14-mile back route to the 14,115-ft summit.
Chicago Basin: How to Backpack Colorado's Train-Access Trip to Three 14ers
Chicago Basin is Colorado's iconic train-access backpacking trip: three 14ers, a 6-mile hike from Needleton, and bold mountain goats. Here's how to plan it.
Cathedral Lake Trail: Aspen's Steep, No-Permit Climb to a High Alpine Lake
The Cathedral Lake Trail near Aspen climbs 2,066 feet to an 11,866-foot alpine lake. Here's the route, the drive, Electric Pass, and what to pack for it.
Long Lake Trailhead: Brainard Lake's Gateway to Lake Isabelle and Pawnee Pass
The Long Lake Trailhead is Brainard Lake's gateway to Lake Isabelle and Pawnee Pass. Here's the 2026 reservation, parking, and every hike, step by step.
Lawn Lake Trailhead: RMNP's Big Alpine Hike Without the Bear Lake Permit
The Lawn Lake Trailhead in Rocky Mountain National Park climbs 6.2 miles to a high alpine lake, skips the Bear Lake permit, and holds a wild 1982 flood story.
McCullough Gulch Trailhead: Waterfalls, Alpine Lakes, and 2026 Parking
McCullough Gulch near Breckenridge climbs past a waterfall to alpine lakes under Quandary Peak. Here's the 2026 parking reservation, the shuttle, and the trail.
Handies Peak: A Complete Guide to One of Colorado's Easiest 14ers
Handies Peak is one of Colorado's easiest 14ers if you can handle the drive. 2026 guide to the American Basin route, the 4WD road, gear, and timing.
Denny Creek Trailhead: Gateway to Mount Yale, Hartenstein Lake, and Browns Pass
Mount Yale: A Complete Guide to Climbing Colorado's Collegiate Peak
Chautauqua Dining Hall, Boulder: History, Menu, and the Flatirons Porch
Strawberry Hot Springs, Colorado: The Complete Visitor Guide
Chautauqua Park, Boulder: Trails, Parking, and the Flatirons Guide
Bear Lake Trailhead: The Complete Guide to RMNP's Busiest Hiking Hub
Bear Lake Trailhead is the launch point for RMNP's best alpine lake hikes. Parking, timed entry, the shuttle, and the 8 trails that start here.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison: The Complete Colorado Visitor Guide
Mount Antero: A Complete Guide to Colorado's Gem 14er
Mount Sherman Hike: A Complete Guide to Colorado's Easiest 14er
Longs Peak Hike: A Complete Guide to the Keyhole Route
Best Hikes in Indian Peaks Wilderness: 8 Trails for 2026
Desert Reef Hot Spring: The Complete Visitor Guide
Best Colorado Trail Maps and Hiking Apps for 2026
Red Rocks Amphitheatre: Complete Visitor Guide (Concerts, Hiking, Parking 2026)
Colorado Wildlife on the Trail: Animals to Watch For and How to Stay Safe
How to Keep Your Bearings While Hiking in Unfamiliar Terrain
How to find your way in unfamiliar terrain. Map reading, compass use, GPS tools, and what to do when you're off route.
Best Places to Visit in Colorado in Summer: 10 Spots for 2026
Blue Lakes Trail, Colorado: Complete Guide to All Three Lakes (2026)
Best Colorado Campgrounds: 12 Picks for 2026 (RMNP to Great Sand Dunes)
Manitou Incline: 2026 Complete Guide (Reservations, Parking, Tips)
Best Colorado Vacation Spots: 7 Destinations Worth the Trip (2026)
St. Mary's Glacier Hike: Complete Guide (Parking, Conditions, 2026)
The 8 Best Colorado Hiking Trails: 2026 Definitive List
Ouray Hot Springs Pool: The Complete Visitor Guide
Garden of the Gods, Colorado: The Complete Visitor Guide
Glenwood Hot Springs Pool: The Complete Visitor Guide
Great Sand Dunes National Park: The Complete Visitor Guide
Indian Hot Springs in Idaho Springs, Colorado: The Complete Visitor Guide
Seven Falls Colorado Springs: The Complete Visitor Guide
Crestone Peak and Crestone Needle: A Complete Guide to the Classic Sangre de Cristo Traverse
Grays Peak and Torreys Peak: A Complete Guide to the Double 14er Hike
Mount Bierstadt: A Complete Guide to Colorado's Most Accessible 14er
Mount Elbert: A Complete Guide to Colorado's Highest Peak
Mount Harvard: A Complete Guide to Colorado's Third-Highest Peak
Mount Massive: A Complete Guide to Colorado's Second-Highest Peak
Mount of the Holy Cross: A Complete Guide to Colorado's Cross-Shaped 14er
Pikes Peak by Barr Trail: A Complete Guide to the 26-Mile 14er
Quandary Peak: A Complete Guide to Breckenridge's Popular 14er
3 Days in Aspen: The Hiking Itinerary (2026)
Aspen vs Vail for Hiking: Which Colorado Mountain Town Wins?
Colorado Hiking Road Trip: 7-Day Itinerary (2026)
Rocky Mountain National Park vs Indian Peaks Wilderness for Hiking
A Weekend in Telluride: The Hiking Itinerary (2026)
10 Best Spring Waterfall Hikes in Colorado (Peak Snowmelt Guide 2026)
12 Best Spring Wildflower Hikes in Colorado (2026 Bloom Guide)
Rocky Mountain National Park: The Complete Hiking and Visitor Guide for 2026
Trail Food for Hiking: Best Snacks and Meals for 2026
Best hiking food and trail snacks for your next adventure. Energy-packed options, meal planning tips, and food safety advice.
Hanging Lake Trail Guide: 2026 Permits, Reservations, and the Hike
Explore the captivating Hanging Lake Trail in Colorado, a moderate hike featuring turquoise waters, lush vegetation, and majestic waterfalls. Tips & more!