Kid-Friendly Hikes in Colorado
Short distances, manageable elevation, and a scenic payoff at the end. These Colorado trails work for families with young hikers — including stroller-friendly options where noted.
27 trails in our directory.
Emerald Lake Trail
A stunning alpine lake hike that passes Nymph Lake and Dream Lake before reaching the spectacular Emerald Lake. Perfect introduction to Rocky Mountain National Park's high country.
Garden of the Gods Trading Post Trail
A gentle paved loop through iconic red rock formations with views of Pikes Peak. Perfect for families and photographers seeking Colorado's most famous geological landmarks.
Royal Arch Trail
A popular Boulder hike leading to a natural sandstone arch with stunning views of the city and Flatirons. The trail passes through Chautauqua Park's meadows.
Bridal Veil Falls
Colorado's tallest free-falling waterfall drops 365 feet from a hanging valley. The trail follows a historic mining road with spectacular mountain views.
Booth Falls
A beautiful waterfall hike through aspen and conifer forests leading to a 60-foot cascade. Popular among Vail visitors for its accessibility and scenery.
Great Sand Dunes National Park Nature Trail
An interpretive loop trail through wetlands and grasslands with views of North America's tallest sand dunes and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains backdrop.
Flatirons Vista Trail
A gentle trail through grasslands and scrub oak with outstanding views of the iconic Flatirons rock formations and Boulder valley below.
Eldorado Canyon Trail
A dramatic canyon hike through golden sandstone walls with South Boulder Creek flowing below. Popular for rock climbing access and scenic beauty.
Zapata Falls
A short hike to a hidden waterfall in a narrow canyon slot. The final approach requires wading through cold water to reach the 30-foot cascade.
Black Canyon Rim Trail
A dramatic rim walk along one of Colorado's most spectacular canyons with sheer 2000-foot drops and ancient dark rock formations.
Maroon Lake Trail
An iconic easy loop around Colorado's most photographed peaks. The trail offers stunning reflections of the Maroon Bells in the alpine lake.
Rabbit Ears Pass Trail
A gentle hike to unique rabbit ear-shaped rock formations with panoramic views of North Park and surrounding mountain ranges.
Devil's Head Lookout
A historic fire lookout tower hike through ponderosa pine forest with 360-degree views from the restored 1919 fire tower at the summit.
Bear Lake Trail
An accessible paved loop around one of Rocky Mountain National Park's most popular lakes with stunning mountain reflections and wildlife viewing.
Lily Lake Trail
A flat, accessible boardwalk loop around a scenic lake with views of Longs Peak and the Continental Divide. Perfect for all abilities.
Fourmile Falls
An easy family-friendly hike to a beautiful waterfall through aspen and conifer forests. Popular with Vail visitors seeking a gentle nature walk.
Sprague Lake Trail
A wheelchair-accessible trail to a pristine alpine lake with stunning reflections of the Continental Divide peaks and Hallett Peak.
Mount Evans Road Scenic Drive Trails
Short alpine trails accessible from the Mount Evans Scenic Byway leading to 14er summit views and alpine lake vistas above treeline.
Pawnee Buttes Trail
A unique prairie hike to distinctive sandstone buttes on Colorado's eastern plains with expansive grassland views and diverse prairie wildlife.
Roxborough State Park Fountain Valley Trail
A scenic loop through dramatic red rock formations and native grasslands with views of the distinctive hogback ridges and Front Range foothills.
Castlewood Canyon Dam Ruins Trail
An easy walk to historic dam ruins through a scenic sandstone canyon with Cherry Creek flowing through diverse riparian and prairie ecosystems.
Pueblo Mountain Park Trail
A diverse mountain park trail through ponderosa pine forests and open meadows with views of the Sangre de Cristo Range and Arkansas River valley.
Upper Piney River Falls Trail
A scenic, family-friendly trail following the Piney River past Piney Lake through open wildflower meadows, aspen stands, and pine forests. The waterfall at the end is a refreshing reward with views of the Gore Range.
The Grottos Trail
A short, family-friendly trail along the Roaring Fork River to unique ice caves and small waterfalls carved into granite. The picnic area and accessible terrain make this a great stop along Independence Pass.
Acorn Creek Trail
A quiet trail offering solitude and wildlife viewing through aspen groves, sagebrush meadows, and spruce-fir forests. Reaches the Ptarmigan Peak Wilderness with spectacular Gore Range views. One of the first trails to clear of snow in spring.
Arthur H. Carhart Trail at Trappers Lake
A gentle loop circling Trappers Lake in the Flat Tops Wilderness, the birthplace of America's wilderness preservation movement. Good fishing access on the east and north shores with connections to several backcountry trails.
Linkins Lake Trail
A short but high-altitude trail just below the summit of Independence Pass leading to a small alpine lake above treeline. The trail starts at nearly 12,000 feet, offering immediate alpine tundra scenery and wildflowers.