Best places to hike in Colorado range from easy paved loops among red rock towers to steep alpine scrambles above 12,000 feet. Colorado is one of the top hiking destinations in the country, and it earns that reputation honestly. The state holds four national parks, 42 state parks, and more than 39,000 miles of trails that wind through pine forests, past waterfalls, and up to jagged granite peaks. Whether you want a stroller friendly walk or a multi day backpacking trip to a hidden hot spring, Colorado has a trail that fits.
This guide walks through the best hikes across the state, organized by region, so you can plan a trip around where you are staying. You will find trail length, difficulty, elevation gain, permit information, and honest tips on when to go. Every detail here comes from official park sources, outdoor guide sites, and firsthand trip reports, so you can trust what you read before you lace up your boots.
Why Colorado Is a Hiker’s Dream
Colorado sits almost entirely above 3,300 feet, and more than half the state lies above 6,800 feet. That altitude is exactly what makes the scenery so dramatic. The state contains 58 peaks over 14,000 feet, known locally as “14ers,” along with countless alpine lakes, waterfalls, and canyons carved by glaciers thousands of years ago.
The variety is what sets Colorado apart from other hiking destinations. In a single week you could walk a boardwalk over a turquoise pool in a limestone canyon, climb sand dunes taller than a football field is long, and wander among red sandstone spires that look like something from another planet. Few states pack this much geologic diversity into a single road trip.
Before you head out, keep a few basics in mind. Many popular trailheads now require timed entry permits or parking reservations, especially in Rocky Mountain National Park during summer. Afternoon thunderstorms are common above tree line from June through August, so an early start is not just a suggestion, it is a safety rule. And altitude sickness is real. If you are visiting from sea level, give yourself a day or two to acclimatize before attempting anything strenuous.
Rocky Mountain National Park: The Crown Jewel
Rocky Mountain National Park sits about ninety minutes from Denver and holds over 350 miles of trail, making it the single best concentration of hikes in the state. The park requires a timed entry reservation through Recreation.gov to drive in during the summer season, and permits for the popular Bear Lake corridor sell out fast, so book as early as the release window allows.
Emerald Lake Trail
This is the classic Rocky Mountain hike, and it earns its popularity. Starting at Bear Lake, the trail climbs gently past Nymph Lake and Dream Lake before ending at Emerald Lake, tucked beneath towering granite walls. The full route runs about 3.6 miles round trip with modest elevation gain, which makes it accessible for most fitness levels while still delivering huge visual payoff. Go early in the morning, both for parking and for calmer water that gives you a clean reflection of the peaks.
Sky Pond
If Emerald Lake is the crowd pleaser, Sky Pond is the reward for hikers who want to work harder. The trail runs about 9 miles round trip from the Glacier Gorge trailhead, passing Alberta Falls and The Loch before a Class 3 scramble up Timberline Falls. That scramble is the crux of the hike, and it is not for anyone uneasy on wet rock. Push past it and you reach Lake of Glass and finally Sky Pond, framed by the dramatic spires of the Cathedral Rock formation. Budget a full day and start at sunrise to beat both crowds and afternoon storms.
Mills Lake
Also reached from Glacier Gorge, Mills Lake offers one of the finest views in the park without the scrambling required for Sky Pond. The hike covers roughly 5.6 miles round trip with around 700 feet of elevation gain. The National Park Service itself calls the view of Longs Peak and the jagged Keyboard of the Winds ridge from the lake’s shore one of the best in the park. It is a strong choice for families or hikers who want alpine scenery without a technical challenge.
Chasm Lake
For a bigger day, Chasm Lake sits below Longs Peak, the tallest mountain in the park. The trail shares its start with the Longs Peak route before splitting off toward the lake, and the views of the peak’s sheer east face are hard to beat. This is a longer, more strenuous outing best suited to hikers already comfortable at altitude.
Good to know: For 2026, the Bear Lake Road timed entry permit runs from late May through mid October, covering the Bear Lake corridor from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. A separate rest of park permit covers other entrances from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Both cost a small reservation fee and are released about a month ahead, plus a smaller batch the night before. If you miss the window, you can still park at the shuttle lot and ride in without a personal vehicle permit.
Glenwood Canyon: Hanging Lake
Hanging Lake is one of the most photographed spots in Colorado, and for good reason. A travertine pool sits on a shelf partway up the wall of Glenwood Canyon, its water an impossible shade of turquoise, with fallen logs suspended at odd angles beneath the surface. The hike is short at 2.4 miles round trip, but do not let the distance fool you. It gains about 1,000 feet on rocky switchbacks before ending on a boardwalk that carries you out over the water.
Because the lake’s ecosystem is so fragile, swimming, wading, and dogs are all prohibited, and rangers do enforce the rules. A permit is required from May through October and includes a mandatory shuttle from Glenwood Springs, since parking at the trailhead itself is not allowed during peak season. Slots open roughly three months in advance and go quickly on summer weekends, so plan ahead. Morning visits tend to offer calmer water and better reflections before canyon winds pick up in the afternoon.
Aspen and the Maroon Bells Region
Maroon Bells
The twin peaks of Maroon Bells are arguably the most photographed mountains in North America, and the short walk around Maroon Lake puts that reflection shot within reach of almost anyone. For a longer outing, the trail continues toward Crater Lake, climbing gradually through aspen groves before opening into a rocky basin. Because the Maroon Bells Scenic Area limits private vehicle access in summer, most visitors arrive by shuttle from Aspen Highlands, so check the reservation system before you go.
Conundrum Hot Springs
For hikers who want a genuine backcountry reward, Conundrum Hot Springs is one of the best backpacking destinations in the state. The trail runs a demanding 16 to 17 miles round trip, gaining roughly 2,800 feet before topping out near 11,266 feet, where natural mineral pools sit in a bowl of surrounding peaks with water temperatures between 98 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Most people treat this as an overnight trip rather than a single punishing day.
A day hike does not require a permit, but overnight camping does. Reservations open through Recreation.gov on a staggered schedule, typically mid February for spring and summer dates and mid June for fall dates, and popular weekends fill within minutes. Bear canisters are mandatory for all overnight groups, campfires are banned above 10,800 feet throughout the wilderness area, and dogs are not permitted in the Conundrum Hot Springs permit zone specifically. If you plan to camp, treat the permit process itself as part of your trip planning, not an afterthought.
Colorado Springs Area
Garden of the Gods
Garden of the Gods is free to enter and sits right in Colorado Springs, which makes it one of the most accessible great hikes in the state. Towering red sandstone formations rise dramatically against a backdrop of Pikes Peak, and the park offers trails for every ability level. The paved Perkins Central Garden Trail runs 1.5 miles with barely any elevation change and is wheelchair and stroller friendly. For more of a workout, the Palmer Trail climbs about 2.5 miles one way and delivers elevated views over the entire formation. The Siamese Twins Trail is a short one mile loop that frames Pikes Peak perfectly through a natural rock window, making it a favorite for photographers. Because the park is free and centrally located, it draws large crowds, so early morning or weekday visits are worth the extra effort.
Pikes Peak
Towering over Colorado Springs at 14,115 feet, Pikes Peak offers the famous Barr Trail, a genuinely tough 13 mile route one way with roughly 7,800 feet of elevation gain to the summit. Most hikers split this into an overnight trip using the Barr Camp shelter partway up. For those who want the summit views without the full grind, the Cog Railway and the Pikes Peak Highway both offer alternate ways up, letting you hike a shorter section and still reach the top.
Southern Colorado: Great Sand Dunes National Park
Great Sand Dunes protects the tallest sand dunes in North America, rising roughly 700 feet against the backdrop of the snow capped Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Unlike most national parks, there are no marked trails on the dunes themselves. You simply pick a route and climb, which makes the hike to High Dune or the more distant Star Dune a genuine physical challenge, since soft sand swallows every step. Go in early morning or late afternoon when the sand is cooler and the light throws long shadows across the ridgelines, and always bring more water than you think you need.
For a gentler outing, the Montville Nature Trail loops through a shaded pine forest near the visitor center, and Medano Creek, when it is flowing in late spring, offers a cool wade at the base of the dunes.
The Colorado Trail: For Serious Backpackers
If you want to go beyond a day hike, the Colorado Trail is the state’s signature long distance route, stretching approximately 486 miles from Denver to Durango through eight mountain ranges and six national forests. Very few visitors attempt the whole thing, but the trail is broken into 28 manageable segments, several of which make excellent multi day backpacking trips or even long day hikes near trailheads outside Breckenridge, Silverton, and other mountain towns. It is a great option if you have already done the classic day hikes and want a deeper wilderness experience.
Planning Your Colorado Hiking Trip
Best time to go. Most high alpine trails, including the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, are fully clear of snow only from late June through mid September. Lower elevation hikes near Colorado Springs and Glenwood Canyon can be hiked from spring through fall, and some remain open year round with the right gear.
Altitude matters. Colorado’s trailheads often start higher than many hikers’ home elevations. Spend a day or two at altitude before attempting a strenuous hike, drink more water than usual, and know the symptoms of altitude sickness: headache, nausea, and dizziness. If symptoms appear, descend.
Afternoon storms are a real hazard. Thunderstorms build quickly over the mountains almost every summer afternoon. The safest plan is to start early, reach any exposed high point before noon, and be below tree line by early afternoon.
Reserve ahead. Between timed entry permits at Rocky Mountain National Park, shuttle reservations at Maroon Bells, and permits at Hanging Lake and Conundrum Hot Springs, several of Colorado’s best hikes now require some form of advance booking. Check each park or forest website before you drive out, since walk up availability is often limited or nonexistent in peak season.
Leave no trace. Colorado’s trails see millions of visitors each year, and the fragile alpine environment recovers slowly from damage. Stay on marked paths, pack out all trash, and follow food storage rules where bears are present.
Conclusion
Colorado offers some of the most rewarding hiking in the United States, and the best part is how much variety fits within a few hours’ drive of any base camp. You can spend a morning on an easy paved loop at Garden of the Gods, then challenge yourself the next day with a scramble to Sky Pond, and finish the week soaking in a hot spring above 11,000 feet. The trails covered here represent the best of what the state has to offer, from family friendly walks to demanding backcountry treks. Whichever trail you choose, plan around permits, respect the altitude, and start early. Colorado’s mountains reward those who show up prepared, and the views waiting at the end of these trails are worth every step.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular hike in Colorado?
Emerald Lake Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park is widely considered the most popular hike in the state, thanks to its manageable 3.6 mile round trip distance and stunning alpine lake views.
Do I need a permit to hike in Rocky Mountain National Park?
You need a timed entry vehicle reservation to drive into the park during the summer season, but the hiking trails themselves do not require a separate permit unless you plan to camp overnight in the backcountry.
What is the best time of year to hike in Colorado?
Late June through mid September is the best window for high altitude trails, since snow can linger into early summer. Lower elevation hikes near Colorado Springs and Glenwood Canyon are hikeable across a longer season.
Is Hanging Lake hard to hike?
Hanging Lake is short at 2.4 miles round trip, but it is steep, gaining about 1,000 feet on rocky switchbacks, which makes it a moderate to challenging hike despite the short distance.
Are dogs allowed on Colorado hiking trails?
It depends on the location. Dogs are allowed on most trails in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness but are banned from the Conundrum Hot Springs permit zone and from all trails in Rocky Mountain National Park, so always check the specific park’s rules before bringing a pet.
