Hikes in Colorado

Colorado is a phenomenal state for hiking. Rocky Mountain National Park has beautiful hikes. Currently, only a sampling of the state’s trails can be found on hikespeak.com. Most of the reviewed trails fall within Colorado National Monument, which is just a small piece of the Centennial State.

Colorado Hiking
Emerald Lake Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park

Colorado Hiking

This collection of trails in Colorado lists the hikes from north to south. The table may also be sorted alphabetically or by distance to help you pick your next adventure. Each trail links to its own report complete with photos, maps, directions, and all the other information needed to locate and enjoy these hikes. Below the table is an interactive map with the location of each hike.

Trail
Description
Distance
Location
Bear Lake Trail310Bear Lake Nature Trail
This easy hike takes a loop around Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park, passing numerous views across the beautiful subalpine lake.
0.65 miles
60 feet
40.31195,
-105.6457
Emerald Lake Trail320Emerald Lake Trail
This hike tours a trio of lovely lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park, passing Nymph Lake and Dream Lake to find Emerald Lake cradled below 12,000-foot mountains and a glacier.
3.6 miles
650 feet
40.31195,
-105.6457
Rattlesnake Gulch Trail Eldorado Canyon State Park400Rattlesnake Gulch Trail
This hike in Eldorado Canyon State Park rises from a rugged and charming canyon to the ruins of an old hotel and an overlook facing mountains on the Continental Divide.
3.8 miles
985 feet
39.92946,
-105.2901
Colorado National Monument Window Rock Trail700Window Rock Trail
This hike in Colorado National Monument reaches a distinct point on the wall of Monument Canyon where a natural window appears just below the top of the cliff.
0.35 miles
60 feet
39.10478,
-108.7284
Colorado National Monument Canyon Rim Trail710Canyon Rim Trail
This hike in Colorado National Monument leaves Saddlehorn Visitor Center and travels along cliffs overlooking Monument Canyon.
1 mile
100 feet
39.1006, -108.73423
Colorado National Monument Alcove Nature Trail720Alcove Nature Trail
This hike is less scenic than others in Colorado National Monument but offers information about its plants, animals, and geology.
1 mile
175 feet
39.101, -108.735
Colorado National Monument Otto's Trail Trail740Otto’s Trail
This hike in Colorado National Monument visits an overlook near the Pipe Organs with an excellent view of Independence Monument and Monument Canyon.
0.75 mile
85 feet
39.09594, -108.73274
Colorado National Monument Monument Canyon Trail750Monument Canyon Trail
This hike travels down into Monument Canyon to visit the tallest freestanding rock formation in Colorado National Monument.
7 - 12 miles
850
39.07777,
-108.72802
Colorado National Monument Coke Ovens Trail760Coke Ovens Trail
This hike in Colorado National Monument visits a line of sandstone domes decorating the rim of Monument Canyon.
1 mile
180 feet
39.07777,
-108.72802
Colorado National Monument Devils Kitchen Trail770Devils Kitchen Trail
This hike in Colorado National Monument crosses the bottom of No Thoroughfare canyon to a rock grotto surrounded by tall boulders.
1.2 miles
225 feet
39.03177,
-108.63075
View Colorado trails and campgrounds in a larger map
Or explore hikes around Colorado National Monument on the Hike Finder Map
hikespeak
Emerald Lake Trail Nymph Lake Dream Lake Emerald Lake Rocky Mountain National Park Bear Lake to Emerald Lake Hike Colorado
Emerald Lake Trail visits a trio of beautiful mountain lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park, easing past Nymph Lake and Dream Lake on the way to Emerald Lake, which is cradled below 12,000-foot peaks along the Continental Divide. This three-lake hike is 3.6 miles round trip with 650 feet of elevation change. This scenic hike begins from Bear Lake Trailhead, where a fourth lake can added to... Read more.
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Tagged with · Continental Divide · Lakes · National Parks · Rocky Mountains
Distance: 3.6 miles · Elevation change: 650 feet
By: Published: Last updated: September 11, 2019
Bear Lake Nature Trail Rocky Mountain National Park Bear Lake Loop Hike Colorado Bear Lake Trail
To explore an area of lake-filled basins below the Continental Divide, follow Bear Lake Road into the center of Rocky Mountain National Park. Several trails leave from Bear Lake Trailhead, including a three-lake trek to Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, and Emerald Lake. For something shorter, the 2/3 of a mile long stroll around Bear Lake has lots of appeal. Bear Lake Nature Trail passes numerous... Read more.
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Tagged with · Lakes · National Parks · Nature Trails · Rocky Mountains
Distance: 0.65 miles · Elevation change: 60 feet
By: Published: Last updated: April 1, 2017
Rattlesnake Gulch Trail hike Eldorado Canyon State Park Boulder Colorado
Eldorado Canyon State Park preserves a truly golden section of the Rocky Mountain Foothills near Boulder, Colorado. Its pointed cliffs framing South Boulder Creek are a playground for climbers. Hikers have a lot to enjoy as well, like Rattlesnake Gulch Trail, which is scenic and attraction-packed, covering 3.8 miles on a lollipop loop. The hike takes a moderate route up the side of... Read more.
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Tagged with · Boulder · Colorado State Parks · Eldorado State Park · Ruins
Distance: 3.8 miles · Elevation change: 985 feet
By: Published: Last updated: April 23, 2017
Devils Kitchen Trail is located near the south end of Colorado National Monument at the bottom of rugged No Thoroughfare Canyon. This 1.2-mile hike ascends 225 feet to visits an intriguing rock formation on the side of the canyon where tall boulders have enclosed a rock grotto
Devils Kitchen Trail is located near the south end of Colorado National Monument at the bottom of rugged No Thoroughfare Canyon. This 1.2-mile hike ascends 225 feet to visits an intriguing rock formation on the side of the canyon where tall boulders have enclosed a rock grotto. No Thoroughfare Canyon Two junctions are along the way and the path gets faint toward the end, so follow the... Read more.
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Tagged with · Desert Canyons · Fruita · Grand Junction
Distance: 1.2 miles · Elevation change: 225 feet
By: Published: Last updated: June 3, 2017
Monument Canyon Trail to Independence Monument in Colorado National Monument near Grand Junction Colorado
Monument Canyon Trail is six miles long in one direction, dropping from Rim Rock Drive across Monument Canyon to a second trailhead on the eastern edge of the park. Three and a half miles (and 850 vertical feet) from the top, the trail passes Independence Monument, the largest freestanding rock formation in the park. A popular hike along Monument Canyon Trail is a 7-mile out and back from... Read more.
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Tagged with · Desert Canyons · Fruita · Grand Junction
Distance: 7 miles · Elevation change: 850 feet
By: Published: Last updated: June 3, 2017