Best Spring Hikes in Colorado
Most of Colorado's high country is still under snow well into June. These lower-elevation trails dry out first — perfect for shaking off winter and chasing snowmelt waterfalls.
76 trails in our directory.
Hanging Lake Trail
Colorado's most photographed lake features turquoise waters and a spectacular waterfall. Reservations required year-round due to its popularity and fragile ecosystem.
Manitou Incline
An extreme workout on the old railway bed with railroad ties creating natural steps. Reservations required for this bucket-list Colorado challenge.
Perkins Central Garden Trail
The paved 1.1-mile loop at the heart of Garden of the Gods. Wheelchair and stroller accessible, with the closest views of the Cathedral Spires, Three Graces, and Sleeping Giant formations.
Royal Arch Trail
A popular Boulder hike from the Chautauqua Park trailhead leading to a natural sandstone arch with stunning views of the city and Flatirons. The upper half involves stair-steps and short Class 2 scrambling, so older kids handle it well; younger kids may find it tough.
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.
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.
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.
Sprague Lake Trail
A wheelchair-accessible trail to a pristine alpine lake with stunning reflections of the Continental Divide peaks and Hallett Peak.
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.
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.
Cub Lake Trail
An easy hike through Moraine Park's meadows and aspen groves to Cub Lake, a small lily-pad-covered lake surrounded by pines. Wildflowers in July, fall colors mid-September, and one of the most beginner-friendly RMNP trails outside the Bear Lake area.
Fish Creek Falls Trail
Short walk to a viewing platform of Fish Creek Falls, a 280-foot cascade just outside Steamboat Springs. The upper trail continues to a second viewpoint at the top of the falls. Iconic Steamboat photo destination.
Steamboat Lake State Park Loop
Easy loop around part of Steamboat Lake State Park. Lake views, family-friendly, with views of Hahns Peak from the shoreline. Boating, fishing, and camping available at the state park.
Service Creek Trail
Lower-elevation Flat Tops trail through aspen forest along Service Creek. Excellent shoulder-season option when high country is still snowy. Wildlife viewing for deer and the occasional moose.
Spring Creek Trail
Popular in-town Steamboat trail starting from downtown. Follows Spring Creek through riparian zone with multiple stream crossings on bridges. Mountain bikers share the trail. Family-friendly entry to Steamboat outdoor recreation.
Yampa River Botanic Park Trail
Stroll through the Yampa River Botanic Park in downtown Steamboat. Curated native plant exhibits, sculpture gardens, and Yampa River views. Free entry, dog-friendly on the river path.
Lower Cataract Lake Trail
Loop around Lower Cataract Lake at the base of the Gore Range. Cataract Falls drops directly into the lake. Family-friendly and accessible. Boating allowed on the lake.
Frisco Peninsula Trail
Paved loop trail around the Frisco Peninsula on Lake Dillon. Flat, accessible, family-friendly. Marina access midway around the loop. Excellent winter cross-country skiing route when snow-covered.
Cascade Falls Trail
Short trail to a dramatic waterfall in Ouray's box canyon. The town's most accessible waterfall hike. Best in spring and early summer when snowmelt drives the flow.
Box Canyon Falls Park Trail
Walk into a slot canyon to view Box Canyon Falls dropping into a narrow gorge. Paid entry to the park ($5). The High Bridge Trail extends above the falls for a longer day.
Ouray Perimeter Trail
Loop around the town of Ouray with views down to the streets and out to the surrounding peaks. Passes Cascade Falls, Box Canyon, and a series of viewpoints. The classic Ouray locals' hike.
Mount Sanitas Trail
The most popular Boulder trail. Steep climb up Mount Sanitas with city views the whole way, then a faster descent on the East Ridge Trail. Reliably crowded mornings and evenings.
Mount Galbraith Loop
Loop around a foothills peak above Golden with Front Range and Denver views from the upper sections. Wildflowers in spring, less crowded than the more famous JeffCo Open Space trails.
Apex Park Trail
JeffCo Open Space loop above Golden with multiple trail options. Mountain bikers share the trails (odd days for bikes, even days for hikers). Aspen groves on the upper switchbacks.
White Ranch Park Loop
Big JeffCo Open Space park north of Golden with extensive trail network. Open meadows, pine forest, and views into the foothills. Popular with horseback riders.
Three Sisters Trail at Alderfer
Easy loop through Alderfer/Three Sisters Park in Evergreen with three rock-formation summits. Family-friendly with multiple short loop options.
Maxwell Falls Trail
Forested hike to a small waterfall in the Pine Valley Ranch area. Best in May-June when snowmelt runs. The Cliff Loop adds 1.5 miles for a bigger day.
Mesa Trail
The classic Boulder Open Space trail running along the base of the Flatirons. Can be done as a point-to-point with shuttle or sections out-and-back. Multiple side trails branch up to Bear Peak, Green Mountain, and Royal Arch.
Bear Peak Trail
Steep Boulder summit climb via Fern Canyon or West Ridge. Summit views span the entire Boulder Valley and out to the plains. Local conditioning hike for Front Range mountaineers.
Green Mountain Trail (Boulder)
Steep summit hike from Gregory Canyon Trailhead to the top of Green Mountain. Multiple route options (Saddle Rock, Gregory Canyon, EM Greenman). Summit views over the Flatirons and Indian Peaks.
Lookout Mountain Trail
Trail from Beverly Heights up to Lookout Mountain summit near Buffalo Bill's grave. Forested switchbacks with city views from the top. Different from the easier Lookout Mountain Nature Center Loop.
Walker Ranch Loop
Boulder Mountain Parks loop on a historic ranch property with views of Eldorado Canyon and the Flatirons from above. Mountain bikers share the trails (odd-day hikers, even-day bikes).
Centennial Cone Loop
JeffCo Open Space loop on Centennial Cone with rolling foothills terrain. Mountain bikers share the trails with weekend-alternating days. Less crowded than Apex and White Ranch.
Heil Valley Ranch Loop
Boulder County Open Space loop in a quiet valley north of Lyons. Aspen groves and ponderosa pine, less crowded than the closer-in OSMP trails.
Hall Ranch Loop
Boulder County Open Space loop near Lyons with sandstone outcrops, ponderosa forest, and views to Longs Peak. Bighorn sheep are sometimes spotted in the western side of the property.
Picture Rock Trail
Connector trail between Heil Valley Ranch and Lyons. Open meadows, rolling terrain, mountain bike popular. Can be done as a point-to-point or shorter out-and-back.
Doudy Draw Trail
Easy Boulder OSMP trail through open meadows and ponderosa forest. Connects to the Spring Brook Loop and Community Ditch trails for longer days. Family-friendly with stroller access on lower sections.
Marshall Mesa Trail
Flat-to-rolling mesa loop on the south side of Boulder. Great for spring wildflowers, family hikes, or quick after-work miles. Coal mining history along the route.
Anne U. White Trail
Boulder County trail in Fourmile Canyon with the most reliable stream crossings of any Boulder-area trail. Named for an early conservation advocate. Multiple stream crossings on bridges make the hike kid-friendly even in spring runoff.
Coyote Ridge Trail
Larimer County Natural Resources trail with rolling foothills terrain and views of the Mummy Range. Good wildlife viewing for deer and the occasional coyote. Flat for the first mile, then climbs gently.
Devils Backbone Trail
Larimer County natural area with iconic rock formation hiking. The 'Keyhole' is the photo destination — a window through the sandstone formation. Family-friendly with stroller access on the lower section.
Carpenter Peak Trail
Steep climb to the highest summit in Roxborough State Park. Sandstone red rock formations on the lower half, then a forested climb to a 7,205-foot summit with views back to Denver.
Forsythe Canyon Trail
Short hike to a small waterfall hidden in a canyon south of Nederland. The trail follows Forsythe Creek through ponderosa forest. Best in late spring when the waterfall flow is highest.
Mount Morrison Trail
Steep summit hike from Red Rocks Park to the top of Mount Morrison. Short but unrelenting climb, with views over Red Rocks Amphitheater and Denver. Brutal training hike for fitness.
Lichen Loop
Short, kid-friendly loop near Boulder's Heil Valley Ranch. Stroller-accessible on the lower section. Perfect first-hike-with-toddlers option.
Bear Creek Loop (JeffCo)
JeffCo Open Space loop along Bear Creek with mixed pine and aspen forest. Quieter than the more famous Mount Falcon and White Ranch. Mountain bikers share parts of the trail.
Siamese Twins Trail
A short loop in the southern half of Garden of the Gods to the Siamese Twins, twin sandstone columns with a natural window that frames Pikes Peak when conditions are right. Crowded at sunrise and sunset for the photo.
Mount Cutler Trail
Short popular trail in North Cheyenne Cañon Park with views down into the Seven Falls area and across Colorado Springs to the plains. Local favorite for a quick after-work hike or sunset spot.
Mount Muscoco Trail
Steeper, longer alternative to Mount Cutler from the same North Cheyenne Cañon trailhead area. Climbs to a granite summit with 360-degree views of Pikes Peak, Cheyenne Mountain, and the city.
Animas River Trail
Paved riverside trail running 7 miles through downtown Durango. Used by locals for commuting, dog walks, and casual jogs. Connects multiple parks and the historic train depot. The Durango Tour de Force runs on this trail.
Berry Creek Trail
Local Vail Valley trail from Edwards climbing through pine and aspen forest along Berry Creek. Popular with mountain bikers in summer; quieter for hikers in shoulder seasons. Connector to the broader USFS trail system above Vail.
Animas Overlook Trail
Short paved loop above Durango with sweeping views of the Animas River valley, downtown Durango, and the San Juan Mountains. Wheelchair accessible. Interpretive signs along the route.
Lovell Gulch Trail
Forested loop in the hills above Woodland Park with views of the Pikes Peak massif from the upper ridges. Multiple trail intersections allow shorter or longer loop options. Popular with Colorado Springs locals avoiding the Manitou crowds.
Hunter Creek Trail
Hunter Creek Valley trail starting from the east end of Aspen. Climbs through aspen and conifer forest along Hunter Creek to a high meadow with views back to Aspen Mountain. Popular with locals for after-work jogs and dog walks.
Mount Falcon Park Castle Trail
A loop hike through Denver Mountain Parks land with views of Red Rocks, the Front Range, and the Denver skyline. The ruins of John Brisben Walker's stone castle anchor the upper section.
North Table Mountain Loop
A flat-topped mesa hike with sweeping Front Range views, raptor sightings in spring, and one of the best Denver-area sunset viewpoints. Wide gravel roads make it stroller and bike friendly.
Lookout Mountain Nature Center Loop
Short forested loop near the Buffalo Bill grave, with city views from the visitor center deck. Good intro hike for kids and visiting family, or a quick lunch loop from downtown Denver.
Horsetooth Mountain Loop
The iconic Fort Collins hike to the toothy rock formation visible from town. The loop climbs through ponderosa forest to the summit, with views of the Reservoir, the Mummy Range, and on clear days, Longs Peak.
Greyrock Mountain Trail
A challenging climb up to the granite dome of Greyrock in the Cache la Poudre canyon. The final scramble to the summit lake rewards with one of the best views in northern Colorado.
Arthur's Rock via Lory State Park
Short steep climb to a granite outcrop overlooking Horsetooth Reservoir and the city. Good after-work hike for Fort Collins locals; one of the most consistent spring trails in the area.
Animas Mountain Trail
Loop up the mountain that frames Durango on the north side. Views down into the Animas Valley, west to Mesa Verde, and east toward the Weminuche Wilderness. The local after-work classic.
Manitou Incline
One of Colorado's most famous workouts. 2,768 stairs gaining 2,000 feet in less than a mile. Reservation required during peak season. Descend via Barr Trail to complete the loop.
Red Mountain Trail (Manitou Springs)
Short, steep summit hike from downtown Manitou. Views over Manitou Springs and out to Pikes Peak. Less crowded alternative to the Incline.
Intemann Trail
Six-mile traverse along the bluffs above Manitou Springs and Colorado Springs. Connects multiple trailheads with mostly gentle grade and big city-edge views.
Doc Holliday Trail
Short uphill walk to Pioneer Cemetery, where Doc Holliday is buried. Views over Glenwood Springs and the Roaring Fork Valley. Free, family-friendly, year-round.
Grizzly Creek Trail
Follows Grizzly Creek up Glenwood Canyon. Wildflowers, beaver ponds, and a quiet alternative to Hanging Lake. The trail re-opened after the 2020 fires; check trail conditions.
Boy Scout Trail
Local favorite uphill grind that ends at a viewpoint over Glenwood Springs and the confluence of the Colorado and Roaring Fork. Steep but short.
P-S Loop at Philip S. Miller Park
Castle Rock's flagship trail system at Philip S. Miller Park. The full perimeter loop includes the famed 200-step Challenge Hill at the center of the park.
Ridgeline Trail at Castle Rock
Wide gravel loop on the ridge west of downtown Castle Rock. Open prairie and pine, views east to the Palmer Divide. Popular with runners and dog walkers.