The Best Hiking in Colorado Springs

Whispering Pines Park

★★★☆☆ 3 (1)

"It's a good park with a great baseball field. It's really quiet there and the nearby houses are off in the distance. The playset had monkey bars and a tall slide that the kids enjoyed. The parking on the far side is wheelchair-accessible and there's a ramp to get a chair down into the play area."

Matthews/Winters-Dakota Ridge Trail

★★★★★ 4.5 (11)

"Yeah for the great outdoors!Right outside of denver, right off the highway.A number of different options and wonderful views!Creek crossings, some trees, but mostly full sunshine so take care with sunblock and the pups.A good amount of parking, but show up early - other options are the side of the road or the stegasuraus lot.Bathrooms at the trail head are plentiful and have lots of TP."

Alderfer/Three Sisters Park

★★★★★ 4.6 (40)

"Ahhh, it feels great to be back on the trails! Last week's hike took us to Evergreen's Alderfer/Three Sisters Park. From where we live it was a brief 35 minute drive, a beautiful one at that, too. It was our first time here and we opted to park in the West parking lot and hit the Evergreen Mountain Trail. 10/10 would recommend!Parking lot was full around 9:30 am on a Saturday morning. But not as crowded as I expected. Relatively clean and maintained bathrooms are available for use at the trail head near the stables. Evergreen is just that, green as ever! Beautiful trees line the trails, with mountain bikers whizzing by you. We brought our dog (on a leash, of course) and she enjoyed the trails, too. The views might not be as thrilling off the bat, but the trek to the summit is well worth it. Stunning and picturesque views of snow-capped Mount Evans? Oh yes!Our last two weekend hikes have been extremely successful and we hope to continue the streak this weekend, weather permitting. Colorado, I heart you!"

Golden Gate Canyon State Park

★★★★☆ 4.2 (91)

"I came here this past weeked for some leaf peeping! I was looking for a scenic hike that wasn't too far from Denver and Golden Gate Canyon State Park came recommended. We did Racoon Trail which is a moderate 3.5-4 mile hike that's suitable for most levels, although there are some pretty steep inclines at times.In general, this park is very big so there's lots to explore. The trailhead for this particular hike is near Reverends Ridge Campground. We arrived around 11 and parking was available. We paid $9 for a day pass and started on our way. The midway point is Panorama Point which is also accessible via car and provides gorgeous sweeping views of the mountains and trees. The hike wove through the woods and I was happy there was plenty of leaves still on the trees to see!There was a good amount of people, dogs, kids, and a few bikers on the trail. That being said, everyone was respectful of distancing, wearing masks when getting close, etc. I would definitely recommend this hike if looking for a trip from the city. It tooks us a little over an hour to get here and we stopped in Golden on the way back for lunch! A lovely day trip."

Rock Park

★★★★★ 4.6 (17)

"This park has some amazing views from the top and the bottom. We parked our car and started up. There are two trails to get to the top. When we reached the split in the trail we went to the right on the way up and came down the other way. Both trails are clearly marked. There are some stairs but mostly it is gravel and rocks. I would say to bring some water and wear some sunscreen because there is not a lot of shade on the trail. Once you get to the top you will have some pretty good views. We only saw a few other hikers so not too busy or crowded feeling. I would definitely recommend coming here at least once if you are visiting the area. It's worth a stop."

Willow Spring Open Space

★★★★★ 5 (1)

"Willow Spring Open Space is a convenient and beautiful outdoor opportunity for walking, biking, leashed dog-walking, and horse-riding (bring your own horse). The paths are concrete and/or gravel, there are benches for rest opportunities, and there are doggie bag receptacles so owners can pick up after their pets. This large space is surrounded by residential communities and roadways, but I felt like I was in my own little world while walking. According to signage at the park, the trail is open from 6am to 11pm. Willow Spring Open Space is also the home of the Englewood Dam (an earthen embankment dam used for flood control) and there is a service center on site for regular maintenance. As a visitor to the area, I walked the trail here a few times and found the area to be incredibly photogenic and easy to follow. It should be noted that signage on the trail indicates coyotes are active in the area. When I inquired about this to locals, they confirmed this is true, but that during daylight hours, they rarely come out of their dens unless they are sick. However, caution should be used during dawn/dusk/dark. Enjoy!"

Shelf Road

★★★★★ 5 (1)

"Still love the drive. So fun with the winding, narrow in some spots 'road.' With the recent rains the road was not dusty and there were standing puddles to drive through. A little muddy in areas. The creek was flowing and sounded so peaceful. The wind blowing through the trees. Saw the arch in the rock face. Very cool. Encountered some vehicles during the drive and everyone made way. Nice and polite. Love this drive."

Parker Jordan Centennial Open Space

★★★★☆ 4 (3)

"Lovely causal trail that was paved with cement. Plenty of parking in the lot , restrooms, covered patio picnic tables. Paved trail good for those with electric or manual mobility devices. However, one star removed for the dangerous bikers who need to be more careful and less aggressive in their speeds. I come from a beach area with PED lanes and bike only lanes . And Bikers were highly encouraged to know better ! I always biked with regards to speeds and safety of walkers. Every biker that was on the same shared path at this trail zoomed at top speeds without disregard to walkers. I constantly checked behind me but some corners don't let you see what is that far away. Bikers who clearly see in front of them , need to slow down! I can only imagine the accidents to those who have earphones in. The trail is 9 miles , I only did one mile up and back. I had come to make videos for one of my many young Godsons to show the actions and speed of a requested RC car. There was a gravel flat area near the picnic benches perfect to do so. I'll definitely be coming back to CAREFULLY ride bikes ;)"

Fox Run Regional Park

★★★★★ 5 (8)

"One of my favorite places in this city! It's a hidden gem of seclusion and nature! It's fun to walk, take pictures, walk your dogs, picnic!"

La Ventana Natural Arch

★★★★★ 4.5 (2)

"This isn't a business. It's a very beautiful natural feature from the largest volcano ever to happen, well, on earth. Go see it."

Castlewood Canyon State Park

★★★★★ 4.6 (77)

"This is a great state park with pretty easy terrain to check out. *note there are 2 park entrances. We mistakenly accessed it via the entrance that is further south. There aren't as many trails at this end. That being said, I think that entrance is good for people with mobility issues or small kids who don't want a long hike. From the lot, the paths are paved and it's a short walk for some scenic canyon views.We then drove go the other entrance as we wanted a bit more of a hike and to see the old dam. We then hiked a loop that circled the small canyon there that starts below the old dam. It leads up to the old dam and then you cross over and come back on the other side and across then back down. For the fee and scenery we felt like it was a good shorter day hike that didn't require too much driving."

Lockwood Backcountry Guide Service

★★★★★ 5 (1)

"Lockwood Backcountry Guide Service is a wonderful time outside the city. Want to explore the land the way it naturally is? Then you should take a trip with Lockwood Backcountry Guide Service!"

Penitente Canyon

★★★★☆ 4 (1)

"One of my Earthwatch colleagues had this place on her "Bucket List". So after a long Friday out in the San Juan Rift, we stopped at Penitente Canyon for a hike and a few cold beers.Years ago, Penitente Canyon served as a place of worship for Los Hermanos Penitente. The Brothers, Spanish and Indian men of deep faith and commitment, preferred to live secluded in the foothills and canyons of the San Juan and Sangre de Cristo Mountains to practice their religion freely. In some areas you can see historic/religious painting left behind on the rocks.Penitente Canyon, while quite secluded, has also emerged as one of Colorado's premier rock climbing areas. The area is part of the 7,529 acre Penitente Canyon Special Recreation Management Area of the BLM.Our group had a wonderful time hiking the canyons, clamoring over the "Rock Garden" and watching climbers in various stages of ascent and decent. It's a beautiful area and well worth a trip in this somewhat remote region. Our late afternoon visit was also the perfect beginning of a busy weekend and a great opportunity to just hang out with new friends."

St. Mary's Falls

★★★★★ 4.7 (11)

"We loved our hike to st marys falls. St Marys is a moderate hike around 6.5 miles and 1394 feet of elevation gain. The main road to the falls parking lot is closed and you have to take gold camp road over. This is around 3 miles of dirt. Its narrow with some pot holes and also 2 tunnels you will need to go through. A lot of the road is very narrow and really only wide enough for just one car. So be prepared for a little bit of a hairy ride. it will be the 2nd parking lot on your right. There is a fairly large parking lot, however it fills up quickly especially on a weekend. If you want to do this you will want to arrive sooner rather than later.Dogs are allowed but are supposed to be on a leash. The parking lot for saint marys is the same as for some other trails over there, seven bridges and silver cascades being 2 of them.You will have to walk around 1 1/4 miles up a dirt road until you get to the trailhead.The trail follows a creek most of the trail. It is rocky and at times a little slick with the loose rock.It is beautiful, surrounded by forest. It was very magical and lovely. it felt so nice to be out in the woods. Mountain bikes and motorcycles are also allowed to use this trail. We did not see any motorcycles but there were a few mountain bikers. And they dont necessarily signal so well beware.There is a trash can at the trail head. Be sure to PACK out what you pack in! My friend and i were picking up garbage that people had left along the trail :( There is no reason to leave your garbage. Please take it with you."

Piney Creek Trail

★★★★☆ 4 (1)

"One of my go to trails in Colorado when I go for a run . It's pavement most of the way along the road until you head underneath the bridge & it has an off-road spot. This is a great trail for avid biker ‍, runner ‍, or someone on a stroll. It's a well maintained trail with plenty of space to maneuver around other's who are exercising."

Goose Creek Trail in Lost Creek Wilderness

★★★★★ 4.7 (3)

"When Spring hits Colorado snow is most likely still in the mountains... but towards the end of spring there is one wilderness that most locals know will most likely NOT have snow, and that is why the Lost Creek Wilderness becomes so popular. People want out of their homes and into the mountains and they want it now, so they all go.This is a great trail to either take a short hike on or a trek. I did a one night day/trek and saw my first bear in person! I am still so excited to this day that I tell people about seeing my first bear in person. He saw us first and was walking away from us, but I was scared the rest of the trek.We found the most amazing camp site under these beautiful grove of Aspens and by a nearby running river. At that particular time, we were allowed to have fires, so we made a nice controlled fire, had an amazing dinner of burritos and rice and enjoyed ourselves as the night grew cooler.You better bet your booty that we hung all of our food, wrappers, and trash in a high high tree, far, far away from our tents... You are not a true hiker if you don't!Make sure to see the shaft house.. The short mile hike will grant you awesome sites of gigantic boulders and rock formations... A sure different view then the rest of the hike.* Star one for my first bear sighting** Raise your hands tall or talk low star two is for learning what to do if a bear approaches you talk that lasted a mile*** Wow this is old star three is for the old not-in-use shafthouses that are a perfect short trek off of the main trail**** Fire fire star four is for the first mile which shows you in person how a much a forest fire rips apart a wilderness... But the star is for the new growth... I am so cheesy!239."

Montgomery Reservoir

★★★★★ 5 (1)

"Montgomery Reservoir is a slice of Colorado at its best.At 10,873 feet, it's a calm and serene place, where you can sit, relax and enjoy a plethora of picturesque views.A trail is located a short walk from the parking lot. It's a nice and easy walk around the southeast part of the lake. Novice and casual hikers will enjoy it.If you're looking for something a little more challenging, research tells me the Wheeler Lake Trail is on the other side of the lake. From my casual investigation, this trail looks a little more difficult than the basic trail I hiked. It looks fun, however I recommend looking into it a little more in depth to make sure you know what you're getting into and to ensure you have proper supplies.Some notes:The reservoir is located south of Breckenridge, between Hoosier Pass and Alma, just to the west of Highway 9. It's probably easier to locate by its coordinates, 39°21′20″N 106°04′33″W, than it is by its address.Any kind of boating is prohibited. So is swimming and wading in the water.Overnight camping is also prohibited, however camp grounds are located nearby.Licensed fishing is permitted from the shore. Bagging and possession limits apply."

Pulpit Rock Park

★★★★☆ 4.4 (52)

"Omg this hike was such a nice leisurely stroll up to the top compared to most others, which for a non hiker such as myself was very exciting. It's not just a straight sidewalk up to the top, it's pretty easy switchbacks with a lot of shade coverage. I think it was only a mile up to the rocks too. The view is gorgeous and getting to the rocks at the top felt like a sense of accomplishment.Parking was a small dirt lot but it looked like other lots weren't too far way from the trailhead. This non-hiker would definitely do this Colorado hike again."

Tunnel Drive Trailhead

★★★★★ 5 (4)

"Kids slept in at the hotel after camping for 5 days, so I decided to head out for a quick hike right outside of Canon City. This trail starts off with a steep paved trail up to the first of three tunnels. Once past the incline, this trail is a gravel path with minimal elevation. Wish I would have brought my bike to cruise to the end of the trail. Great views of the Arkansas River and railroad below. At the end of the trail, I had my breakfast and enjoyed the solitude. Didn't see any bighorn sheep and the trail up the mountain was closed due to breeding season, but will be back to head to the top next time. Great hike for all levels."

Lake Pueblo State Park

★★★★☆ 3.6 (42)

"I rode my MTB here on 12/31/21 in biking shorts and a tee! I know we've been having mild weather but from what I've heard, it's typically warmer down there. There was some climbing, but nothing crazy. Also the blacks weren't overly technical. A few questionable rock drops (loose rock) and some wood ramps down, that's it. Some trails were fairly flat and out in a field. The views when by the reservoir were nice. In the valley trails tucked in a bit they were full. Of. Tumbleweeds. Crazy amounts. So that required some stopping to pull them out of our brakes and cassette. Overall a fun riding spot. For me living over an hour away, not something that I'm in a rush to drive that far for since there's so much closer to home. Though maybe a good option if the trails in the Springs are snow covered. Broken hip trail was super fun and flowy."

Midland Hill Trail

★★★★☆ 4 (1)

"What a cool find. This trail is just right outside of local BV. So close to town! There is a big parking lot. There is a restroom but it was closed for winter currently. There were however port a potties set up in the lot.The trail was 5.3 miles and 1627 feet of elevation gain. It is geared for either hiking or mountain biking. Once you start climbing you do start doing some climbing.The trail was mostly dry in spite of snow on so many other close by trails!The views at the top were perfect! It was wonderful to chill at the top for a few and just take it all in."

Meyer Ranch Park

★★★★★ 4.6 (9)

"It's not a long hike nor is it hard but it's a beautiful one. The hike is pretty much in the evergreens. For those who want quiet and fresh air, this is a good one. Good hike for kids."

Staunton State Park

★★★★☆ 4.3 (55)

"Elk Falls should be added to your Colorado bucket list. I'll wait. Officially added? Great, let's ramble on! This is one of my new favorite places within an hour of Denver. I solely found Staunton State Park on Yelp. Not once in my year of living here have I heard anyone recommend it. Well it's time to change that!I started at the Staunton Ranch trailhead at 7:30am on a Friday morning. Here's the route I took (and totally encourage): Staunton Ranch, Bugling Elk, Chimney Rock, Elk Falls. Round trip it's just shy of 12 miles. I'd rate it as moderate, though the distance might cause fatigue for some. However, talk about a beautiful hike throughout! Since I started early, I saw seven deer in total, even a baby one. They'll get pretty close to you, especially on the Staunton Ranch trail. I love the rock formations, the lush trees, and the slight incline on this trail. Bugling Elk is probably the most boring stretch, however you'll discover a bathroom. Talk about clutch! This leads you to Elk Falls Pond, which is where many people conclude their adventure. Though pretty in its own right, you have to keep trucking! Now you could go to an overlook of Elk Falls. In my opinion, why look at them when you can touch them instead? Listen to this, I was the ONLY PERSON at Elk Falls. For 30 minutes. Talk about solitude and complete appreciation for our unparalleled state. The views are so worth it and the perfect spot for a well-earned snack. Parking pass will run you $9 like most state parks in Colorado. Staunton and Eldorado Canyon are my two favorite state parks. Wonderful and challenging hikes with views that encompass why I love living here."

Seven Falls

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (372)

"This is a must see place when visiting Colorado. Take the stairs to the falls, it's a bit difficult but the view is amazing. The first set of stairs are around 180 stairs , we walked upland took the elevator down. The second set of stairs are more challenging as they are about 220 stairs. I could only make the first part of those. There is no elevator, but it was much easier to go down. After we saw the falls we went into the restaurant and had lunch. What a beautiful setting. If you are not hungry I recommend to go there for a drink. The food is great but pricey."

Hoosier Pass

★★★★★ 4.5 (8)

"We stopped here briefly en route to Fairplay if I recall. The wind up here was whipping so be prepared and make sure your hat is on tight. Parking is ample. Some of the lot is uneven so drive carefully. There were a ton of selfie tourists in the area so watch out as they tend to walk haphazardly into oncoming cars without care. Grrr!!!I didn't venture too far unto the trails but saw they were well marked. I didn't see any restrooms, but I wasn't there long enough to explore fully."

North Cheyenne Cañon

★★★★★ 4.5 (13)

"What is there not to like about Cheyenne? Serious question. Yes, it gets a bit packed on the weekends but for all the right reasons. There is so much going on at this mountain with many different trails offering multiple levels of difficulty. Feel free to pull off at one of the many pull off 'parking' options to begin your trek up the mountain. My personal favorite is the Columbine Trail that you can pick up at the beginning of the parks entrance or at one of the pull offs (26). I definitely recommend wearing the proper shoes as 99.9% of the trail is rocky. And don't forget your water as most of the trails are not shaded and can get pretty warm in the summers. It can get crammed on the weekends especially during spring and summertime as the parking is pretty limited per 'pull off'. I personally like to go fairly early on the weekends and late afternoon during the week to help avoid the crowds. The trails and the park itself are wonderfully maintained and very easy to navigate as they are marked with signs and arrows along the way. There is of course the occasional dog droppings so if you're one of those please be courteous to others. Otherwise, bring your bike, your water and get out there and enjoy the mountain. This is one of my favorite places in Colorado Springs!"

Mueller State Park

★★★★☆ 4.3 (38)

"Beautiful state park with easy, moderate, and difficult hiking trails. Picnic locations as well. We only did the Lost Pond Trail and took us almost 2 hours to complete and has a lot of inclines but would say it's an easier trail. Very easy to navigate with maps and signs all over the trails and park."

Arkansas Riverwalk Trail

★★★★★ 5 (1)

"This place is beautiful and very relaxing! It's very shaded and the Arkansas River runs through trail. There are also many fitness stations throughout the trail."

Seven Bridges

★★★★★ 4.6 (19)

"It's fabulous!It's beautiful!Each bridge spurs you on.It's not overly difficult.It runs along a beautiful creek.Is it crick or creek? Creek is a noun that refers to a shallow stream. Crick is an American dialectical variant that is popular in some genres of fiction. Creek is the standard term in all other contexts."

Heizer Trail

★★★★★ 4.5 (2)

"Awesome trail. Tough switchbacks for the first 2 miles or so. Steep and lots of gravel. Beautiful views. I would say this competes in difficulty with the Incline."

Orient Land Trust

★★★★☆ 4.1 (7)

"Sad to hear that Thomas no longer enjoys this place but everyone I've spoken to (all long times 10/20 year members) are lifers.The ethos behind this place is respect & preservation. "Naturalism" (aka nudism) was one of the founders aims & it's common to see folks not only speaking, but hiking up the trails au natural. And the trails are amazing, as are the views, the springs, the Astronomy pad, the very kind staff, & the wildlife viewing.Along with the keeping it natural vibe, is the dedication to keeping it affordable & family friendly. Cabins & bunk house with shared no frills bathrooms & showers, a well equipped camper kitchen & VERY affordable rates are all part of this effort. Personally, I appreciate the rules & the emphasis on everyone being responsible for making this a comfortable, safe & welcome space for all. Anytime I'm in the neighborhood, I'll be back.Check the website for details on accommodation, fees, pets, etc..."

St. John Rd

★★★☆☆ 3 (1)

"This trail is right behind the Conference Center and goes to the top of one of the smaller hills surrounding Keystone Resort. Along the way up you see the rest of the resort area and get some pretty sweet views at the top. If anything, this short 2 hour hike is a great way to get acclimated to the altitude (which I desperately needed)."

Monument rock

★★★★★ 4.5 (4)

"A fun, easy hike in the snow! I think we got off the main path as we hiked about 5 miles. Loved it! Would definitely go again."

Herman Gulch Trail Head

★★★★★ 4.6 (11)

"Right off I-70 at exit 218 is the Herman Gulch Trailhead. Literally. You start the trail with the sound of speeding cars whizzing by. This was a first for me. Interesting to say the least when considering your end destination deep in the wilderness!That good ole Rocky Mountain elevation hits you at the very beginning. Five minutes in you're hitting your first significant incline. After a night on the town, this trail was a brutal wake up call to start my Sunday morning.**I SAW TWO MOOSE RIGHT WHEN I GOT INTO THE MEADOW**It took over a year being a Colorado resident to see my first moose while hiking. These majestic beasts were taking their sweet time crossing the meadow and eventually disappeared into the woods. It was awesome!There's a final push to Herman Lake. You'll know it when you're in the thick of it. However, the beautiful mountain peaks foreshadow how close you are. And just like that, you're there. I have to say, this trail is popular and the lake was pretty crowded around 8:45am on a Sunday morning. Great views along all sides of the lake. The sun was shining bright yesterday, so I found a patch of grass, tipped my cap over my eyes and basked in a little cat nap. Damnit, it was delightful. I flew back on the way down. Overall a three and a half hour day. Started at 7am to a fairly full parking lot and a crisp 45 degree moring. Would recommend to someone looking for a moderate difficulty hike and great views an hour away from Denver!"

Mitchell Creek Canyon

★★★★☆ 4 (1)

"Great short hike that spits you out on the far side of Hidden Mesa Open Space. There are lots of cool sites and we saw tons of birds, butterflies, rabbits, and one snake. Running by the creek is cooler and shaded at times."