Fowler Trail is probably the best mix of canyon views and glimpses of the rock climbers. Thanks in advance for any advice! Camping Nearby, Creek / River, Shaded Hike, Viewpoint, and Wildlife Viewing, Fee : Jogging stroller friendly hikes in Boulder/surrounding area, Re: Jogging stroller friendly hikes in Boulder/surrounding area, https://bouldercolorado.gov/osmp/bobolink-trailhead, https://bouldercolorado.gov/osmp/mount-sanitas-trailhead, http://www.rockymountainhikingtrails.com/lily-lake-loop.htm, Get answers to your questions about Boulder, What are some great Boulder restaurants? The best part? What does it sound like? But if you're new to the area or looking for family-friendly options that are good for all ages, these are15 of my favorite places to go. Parts of the Marshall Mesa were temporarily closed after the devastating Marshall Fire in December 2021. FYI the Brainard Lake Road is scheduled to open on June 17. Below is a list of the best hikes in no particular order. The park offers a playground, several great picnic spots, and access to the water. Bring your camera because these views are stunning. The views from atop are spectacular. The trail soon turns a corner to face an enormous cliff. Also, if there are no trails in the area, the Family Trail Guide team researches trails that are family friendly in the area to insure that hikes cover all areas where Hike it Baby hikes. Plenty of other paths and sidewalks at the park if you want to extend your walk. He has logged over 10,000 miles bike touring all over the United States, too. Required fields are marked *. Nice wide concrete trail from Powers Blvd to under I-25, connects to Pikes Peak Greenway/Santa Fe/Front Range Trail! The structure houses the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), a world-class research facility specializing in earth system science. Finding kid-friendly hikes in the mountains can be a challenge, but the hike to Long Lake via the Jean Lunning Trail is a perfect option. As a popular destination for rock climbers, just a short hike along most of the trails yield hair raising views of world class climbers scaling massive cliffs. The trail also offers stunning views of Indian Peaks Wilderness, a peaceful ponderosa pine forest, prickly pear cactus galore, and lots of lizards. Fiscal Sponsors. The trail is wheel chair accessible and completely flat. If you dont have a high clearance vehicle, we suggest parking at the Hessie Trailhead. There are several spots to stop along the creek for a picnic or a dip. 1st time in Colorado. While hikers may be disappointed by the short walk from the parking area to the waterfall, people who appreciate this natural phenomenon will stand in awe. Bear Creek Trail - Lair O' The Bear Park - Stroller-friendly Hikes Near Denver. Two popular options for parking are Settlers Park on Canyon Boulevard and Scott Carpenter Park at 30th and Arapahoe Avenue. Brainard Lake Recreation Area, Indian Peaks Wilderness. Delivered to your inbox every Friday! Brainard Lake is west of the city, just south of Rocky Mountain National Park. The Boulder Creek Multi-Use Path is a great bike, pedestrian, and trail running path through the city of Boulder along the creek. This will keep your hands free and allow you to carry more water. From the overlook, there is a fine view of Mt. Youll likely see a lot of deer on your hike as well. This trail sits in east Boulder, between the Boulder Community Center and the Baseline Reservoir. At the top, a spur trail leads 0.2 miles down along the ledge to an overlook. Sanitas Valley trail https://bouldercolorado.gov/osmp/mount-sanitas-trailhead, Enchanted Mesa and McClintock Nature Trails Loop @ Chautauqua. But it's not just humans that make this trail popular. I don't always need it, but some days it's nice to have. Address: 22550 CO-74, Idledale, CO 80453 Parking: There is a large parking lot located at the trailhead. FYI the Brainard Lake Road is scheduled to open on June 17. It is typically at least 4 to 6 feet wide (with some wider passing spaces). In addition to the shorter loop (less than 2 miles) and the longer loop (a little more than 3 miles), adventure seekers can connect with the Marshall Mesa network of trails and the Dowdy Draw Trail. The slow and steady climb up Sanitas Valley to the East Ridge Trail is a less-trafficked and more manageable climb to the gorgeous Mount Sanitas. Look for tubers floating down the creek during the summer months. There is also a nice 2 mile loop around Cottonwood Creek, on the Cottonwood Creek Trail which is paved on one side of the creek and gravel on the other side. New Santa Fe Trail 14 miles one way, pleasant six-foot wide gravel trail. Happy trails, Boulderites! If the weather is warm enough, this is also ideal for taking a dip. The rule of thumb is your body will lose twice as much fluid at altitude than it will at sea level. Which stroller friendly trail has the most elevation gain in Colorado? The Chautauqua Trail is a fun, short hike with great views of the Flatirons. From the parking area, cross the road and head into the woods. The Enchanted Mesa Trail is a gentle walk on a wide pathway that surprises and delights you with views of Boulders famous Flatirons. 15 Best Hikes Around Boulder, Colorado 1. Hiking in Boulder is fantastic. The trail loops around Wonderland Lake and is great for bird-watching. Many trails include stretches of full sun, which can be especially draining at high altitude. The 6-mile round-trip hike with moderate elevation gain is an accessible way to experience the glory of the Rocky Mountains outside of Boulder. Hike it Baby makes every effort to keep trail content up to date, but trail conditions are subject to change. Share This Trail Trail Features Trail highlights Visitor Center Fee & Parking Details Fee : $8.00 Parks Passes Daily Pass: $8.00 Interpretive displays present information about the ecosystem. You get a lot of use. South Boulder Creek via Bobolink Trailhead. Wildflower Park There is a network of paved and dirt paths throughout and near this park; the exterior trails make a nice 1 mile loop with an option to connect to the Sand Creek Trail. I did see that about the road to Brainard. After living as an international teacher in Bangalore, India, Sandy published an award-winning book, May This Be the Best Year of Your Life, as a resource for people contemplating an expat lifestyle and living outside their comfort zone. Your email address will not be published. Golden hour photos are mind boggling. More advanced hikers will seek out the rockier and steeper terrain that reaches the 1st and 2nd Flatirons and Royal Arch. Get a preview of. Dont wear headphones on this trail so you can hear those bikes coming! Then reality sets in and youre dealing with nonstop protests, multiple meltdowns, and a massive headache. Stroller Friendly Trails. This trail is also an ideal section to warm up or cool down at the beginning or end of a longer hike or trail run. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. A popular yet wildlife-filled day hike in the mountains awaits summer visitors to Mitchell Lake + Blue Lake in the Indian Peaks Wilderness. For your family adventure, consider childrens ages, athletic ability, and capability to adapt to a higher altitude. What is the longest stroller-friendly trail in Colorado? Youre envisioning an idyllic afternoon of physical activity, educational enrichment, and maybe even a photo for that holiday card. The Isabelle Glacier trail is an 8.4-mile out-and-back hike in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area. The Flatirons Vista Trail is a relatively flat and very popular trail that follows a loop through a meadow. On any given day he's either backpacking, bikepacking, trail running, or thinking about the next time hell get out there. Sanitas Valley trail https://bouldercolorado.gov/osmp/mount-sanitas-trailhead, Enchanted Mesa and McClintock Nature Trails Loop @ Chautauqua. This trail is very popular with swimmers and college kids who want to party on the water in the summertime. Monument Valley Park Mild 5 mile loop around Monument Valley using the Pikes Peak Greenway which transitions between pavement and gavel, and travels on both sides of Monument Creek. Work around naps and pick a time of day when the kids are likely to be at their best. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Its pretty small and easy to miss. Bobolink is a 3.7 mile heavily trafficked out and back. Explore the most popular stroller friendly trails near Boulder with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. About 6 miles round trip. You can walk to the Mount Sanitas trailhead from downtown Boulder its a short distance up Sunshine Canyon Road. Youll have to pay to enter the Brainard Lake Recreation Area. South Boulder Creek Trail at Bobolink Trailis a 1.5-mile trail (between Baseline and South Boulder Roads) that runs along South Boulder Creek. Drive down this road, past the parking area on the right and across the covered bridge. #1 - Button Rock Dam via Sleepy Lion Trail. Accessibility: Visitors using wheelchairs, mobility equipment, or strollers may need all-terrain tires or adaptive/motorized equipment for the surface type and grade. The loop is best for ages 5 and up. Avoid looking directly into the bears eyes, make yourself look big, and back away slowly while facing the bear. Start at the East Boulder Rec Center -> Bobolink->South Boulder Creek Path. lovely flat-ish trail that goes out to Marshal Rd. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. The Eldorado Canyon Trail is another Eldorado Canyon State Park trail that we recommend. There is a dirt parking area right by the trailhead. Both of them are van-accessible with a striped access aisle. There is a lot of wildlife to spot on the cliffs. But instead of hiking back over all those peaks a second time, you can take the Boulder Mesa Trail. Directions Share Activity Difficulty Length Suitability More filters 1 Top trails ( 6) Easy 4.4 (865) #1 - Boulder Creek Multi Use Path They not allowed south of the gate on South Boulder Road. Bottom line: Drink more water and keep a water bottle with you. Even though mosquitoes can be an issue, many families picnic along the partially shaded trail. So much so, I often say it's hard to find a bad trail to hike on. There are multiple trails, so make sure to consult a trail map before heading out! Photo by Susan Joy Paul. Mike is a software engineer and father of three young boys. Why Your Kids Will Love It: The creek provides endless entertainment. This trail sits at the beginning of Boulder Canyon. While it may be tempting to stray off trails to look at something unique, please stay on designated paths and off designated habitat conservation areas. This trail is estimated to be 51.4 mi long. Flatirons Vista Trail An easy trail for the whole family with continuous views of the Flatirons. By starting with easier terrain, parents can assess what's best for their family. Boulder, Colorado is a wonderful place to introduce children to a natural habitat adjacent to an urban environment. School age children may appreciate the signage on the short Walter Orr Roberts Trail and some of the rock filled trails heading toward the foothills. Perfect for a stroller walk. Why Your Kids Will Love It: Bald Mountain looks more like a lump than a mountain, but it stands at an impressive 7,160 feet. From the Red Rocks Trail, you can extend your hike to include climbs up to Reflection Point and Anemone Point. The best place to hop on the trail is Eben G. Fine park. Most folks are also more active when visiting a city like Boulder than at home. They've done a great job fixing it up after the flood. You wont quite hike to the divide on this hike, but when you get to the top youll be looking straight at it. Don't forget to bring a pair of binoculars. Hiking is a way of life for most locals, but with so many options its hard to narrow down the most amazing family friendly hikes near Boulder. When trekking through Boulders open space and parks, be aware of your surroundings and be prepared for wildlife encounters. If a bear is nearby, talk loudly so that the bear knows that you are there. If you're looking for a leisurely stroll around a small lake without much shade, consider the Wonderland Lake Loop trail. What national parks in Colorado have stroller-friendly trails? Alli serves on the board of the PLAY Boulder Foundation and she's the co-founder of Boulder Hiker Chicks. Boulder, Colorado is an outdoor mecca.
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