Check out the suggested hikes below to find the best fit for your group. You can also reach Bear Peak from the south via the longer Shadow Canyon Trail. Evergreen Lake Trail, Evergreen. That being said, getting to the top does provide rewarding views! Less a hike than a place to stroll in nature, Walden Ponds is a great place to enjoy watching birds and other abundant wildlife. Its an out-and-back hike, though, so you can always turn around before the top if need be. Trying to think of some up here have you been to Mud Lake? Multi-use perimeter trail is open to all non-motorized users, including equestrians! After a long descent, the trail enters the boulder field again, where there are more interesting rocks. (PS don't go down below if you don't have to this week. South Boulder Creek via Bobolink Trailhead. Don't forget your sturdy shoes, layers, snacks, and plenty of water! If it is clear, you are doing great. Best Camping Knife for Outdoor Adventures, Best 4-Person Tent For Camping [2023 Update], How to Use a Fire Starter: A Simple, Step-by-Step Guide, How to Dispose of Butane Cans (and Other Solvents), Best Hikes in Colorado: 17 Incredible Trails, Types of Backpacks: The Ultimate List of 23 Pack Styles, Info and tips for each of our favorite trails, A selection of easy, family hikes and challenging, all-day adventures. The Boulder Creek Trail, also known as the Boulder Creek Path or Boulder Bike Path, is a mostly paved recreational trail that runs through the city. Brainard Lake Recreation Area, Indian Peaks Wilderness. When to go: You want to make this easy on yourself, so play it smart. It can be accessed from the visitor center where bathrooms and water is available. Two popular options for parking are Settlers Park on Canyon Boulevard and Scott Carpenter Park at 30th and Arapahoe Avenue. TOSC is a 501(c)3 organization, tax ID #84-1156471. . Then reality sets in and youre dealing with nonstop protests, multiple meltdowns, and a massive headache. Fish Creek Falls. Length: 3.5 miles Elevation Gain: 285 feet Type: Loop Difficulty: Easy The Flatirons Vista Trail is a relatively flat and very popular trail that follows a loop through a meadow. TOSC is a 501(c)3 organization, tax ID #84-1156471. This kid-friendly trail has great views of the Front Range, and it's conveniently accessed from downtown Boulder. Due to the decreased oxygen, you will breath more and there is moisture loss in each breath. This trail is estimated to be 12.2 km long. What or who is Ralphie? Youll see Ponderosa Pine Forest, towering granite peaks, alpine meadows, and plenty of stunning rock formations. What's Happening This Weekend in Boulder? This extension of the hike around Long Lake (from above) takes you deeper into the majesty of Colorado's Rocky Mountains. It joins up with the Mesa Trail and others if you want to extend your adventure. When she's not hiking or running on Boulder's trails, Alli is hitting the water with her standup paddleboard. A nature scavenger hunt or bingo (seasonal ones specific to Boulder can be found on, Fully-charged cell phone with cool nature apps like, Research the trail ahead of time to get them excited about points of interest, Show them the route on a map and let them plot your progress as you go, Establish one main goal for every hike (to get to the summit, to observe wildlife, etc. It connects to a number of other trails and with multiple trailheads it is easily accessible from many parts of the city. Delivered to your inbox every Friday! Boulder, Colorado is a gateway to the beautiful Rocky Mountains. It has a slight incline for the first half and then loops around for an easy downhill hike for the second half. The best time to hike with kids near Boulder is early in the morning. Front Range Trail, aka Fountain Creek Regional Trail. This rugged trail consists of switchbacks, stone-stairs, steep segments and passage through recent burn zones. Its a short hike, too, but expect to be challenged youll be climbing 1,000 feet per mile on the way up! Your dream of enjoyable family hiking can be a reality. Heres a suggested list of items to keep everyone happy and safe out on the trails. Boulder Recreational Marijuana Dispensaries: UPDATED! The area is very popular for weekend picnics so parking may be an issue on nice weekend days. You wont want little ones to go too high thankfully theres a path right through the middle that offers kid-level scrambling fun. On this trail, you have constant views of the Flatirons without the elevation gain of actually hiking the Flatirons. Annual Reports. We are the voice of Boulder. It is a popular day hike from the city of Longmont. Once youve made it to the park, look out for the parking area. From the Flatirons Vista Trail, you have several options to extend your hike farther. Generally the best tip is pay attention to your and your kids urine. Go with trails that feature more than one type of ecosystem and at least one point of interest. Dont forget to download a Chautauqua map before heading out. Aside from making mountain gear magic in our offices and warehouses, the terrain that engulfs the city is an absolute must-see for outdoor e. Parent category for Checklists, Listicles, Outdoor Activities, Survival. There is an uneven cross slope that may be No Dogs and no Bikes allowed. (detour to the pond is not paved). Where to go: There are two things to keep in mind when choosing a trail for a family hike: (1) Focus on the cool factor. This trail is very popular with swimmers and college kids who want to party on the water in the summertime. Mount Sanitas via Sanitas Valley and East Ridge Trail, Red Rocks from the Settlers Landing trailhead, National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), Actually useful guide to buying kids hiking boots, 13 Outdoor Learning Activities for Toddlers, Back to School and Cutting Back on Screen Time. According to AllTrails.com, the longest stroller-friendly trail in Colorado is High Line Canal Trail. Check the Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks website for current conditions and closures. Sometimes its so busy here that you cant even get into the park during the weekend. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. For being such a relatively small town, Boulder sure is, In this article, we put together a list of the 10 best breweries in Boulder, CO. We also included top brews for each brewery and. The best place to hop on the trail is Eben G. Fine park. Fountain Creek Regional Trail is approximately 2.5 miles long from Fountain Creek Regional Parks northern boundary at Willow Springs Ponds to its southern boundary at Hanson Nature Park. All the while, youll have spectacular views of the Colorado Front Range. Skyline Trail About 2 miles of trail, connects to Rampart Park, loop around Rampart Park is about a mile. Get a preview of Sand Creek Trail, 5.3 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail transitions between pavement and dirt. Garden of the Gods Loop (Colorado Springs) Dave Faulkner / EyeEm / GettyImages. These scenic places are habitats for a variety of local and migratory birds, as well as small and large mammals. On the way out you can view the mountains in their glory. 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. If you don't mind sharing the trail with others, the views are magnificent. The path is a mix of paved and softer gravel or dirt surfaces. Neither of them are van-accessible with a striped access aisle. Nature is simply more enjoyable when you can relax and take the time to enjoy it. An out-and-back to the summit is only 0.7-miles total and would suit all ages. Watch for moose at the start of the trail, and also note that due to the popularity of trails leaving from the trailhead, parking can fill up fast. This guide cuts to the chase, covering the very best hiking trails near Boulder to help you make the most of your time in this pristine wilderness region. One more morning camp with the kids down in Boulder tomorrow and then I think I'll be staying up here for the rest of the week! What or who is Ralphie? Going back into the woods, the trail runs flat for a short distance before swinging around behind the main ledge and ascending from the back, 0.5 miles past the first viewpoint. There are several road crossings necessary to fully navigate the trail, so please use caution. Interpretive displays present information about the ecosystem. Coot Lake (add some distance by going past Boulder Res) Thanks, Babalax! Ramsay-Shockey Open Space has two trails near Pinewood Reservoir. Boulder, Colorado is an outdoor mecca. The My Open Country name is registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Work around naps and pick a time of day when the kids are likely to be at their best. There is a parking fee for non-residents of Boulder. Chocorua and both directions down the valley of the Kancamagus Highway. Bottom line: Drink more water and keep a water bottle with you. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Malaysia. The wheels swivel and lock in the front. Youll pass Long Lake, then Lake Isabelle as you climb up a valley towards the Continental Divide. In a meadow setting, these trails offer wonderful views of Boulders majestic Flatirons. :). Donate. Make sure everyone is wearing appropriate shoes and clothing. Top Boulder Day Hikes. https://www-static.bouldercolorado.gov/docs/OSMP_Accessible_Trails_Guide-WEB-1-201602011129.pdf, All other suggestions still welcome though! 2.7 National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) 2.8 Boulder Falls. We love that many of these stroller friendly trail options for families with young children have large parks nearby. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. There will be snow on the trail if it has fallen recently. And the seasonal ditch is a great place to cool off on the way down. This Hotel was built in 1908 but burned down five years later. The ponds are an ecologically restored site that was a gravel pit mine until the 1960s and is now a wildlife sanctuary. The Chautauqua Trail is a fun, short hike with great views of the Flatirons. Once youre hiking the Rattlesnake Gulch Trail, youll get views of the massive canyon walls around you and Colorados eastern plains behind you. Boy Scout Hike at Flagstaff Nature Center ~ Boulder DIFFICULTY: EASY STROLLER FRIENDLY: NO. Directions Share Activity Difficulty Length Suitability More filters 1 Top trails ( 6) Easy 4.4 (865) #1 - Boulder Creek Multi Use Path It's open with not much shade. Memorial Park 1 mile loop around Prospect Lake. more. We would be remiss not to include this point on every single post about hiking and enjoying the outdoors. This is a great hike to take your dog since youll pass by the city off-leash dog park. The next highest ascent for stroller-friendly trails is, Palmer, Cabin Canyon, Strausenbach, and Central Gardens Trail Loop. Pro-tip: Go to the Chautauqua Ranger Cottage and check out their Passport to Adventure program that encourages kids to hike OSMP trails and earn badges! A little bit of climbing results in rewarding views at Red Rocks from the Settlers Landing trailhead. What is the longest stroller-friendly trail in Boulder? (updated 10/2018), Restaurants with a past.. dining options with a history. 2.5 Flagstaff Realization Point. About 6 miles round trip. Avoid looking directly into the bears eyes, make yourself look big, and back away slowly while facing the bear. This is a nice trail with lots of scenery, birds, and deer. This true gem of Boulder hiking is right outside of town, but because of its location it can get pretty crowded. They not allowed south of the gate on South Boulder Road. Even better, the stroller uses Lunar ultra-reflective fabric for safety, even in the dark. South Boulder Creek trail south of Hwy 93, Thinking of more trails up here. It says stroller friendly and I would say it is about 80% stroller friendly. Easy, paved, stroller and family friendly. Boulder. But instead of hiking back over all those peaks a second time, you can take the Boulder Mesa Trail. I do go to Mud Lake with the kids, but haven't been to Brainard since my first time a few years ago when my then baby started screaming shortly after getting on path/trail. When trekking through Boulders open space and parks, be aware of your surroundings and be prepared for wildlife encounters. Rocky Mountain National Park has 11 stroller-friendly trails with an average 4.4 star rating from 5,858 community reviews. Did your last family hike contain more moans and groans than oohs and ahhs? Black Forest Section 16 4 mile square loop in the woods. The Evergreen Lake and Trail is part of Dedisse Park, which includes places to fish and rent boats. From either trailhead, which both sit below Bald Mountain and the Bald Mountain Scenic Area, you can explore all of Indian Peaks Wilderness. 2.2 Bobolink Trail. 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. What does it sound like? Seasonal closures may occur due to muddy conditions. Why Your Kids Will Love It: This tiny trail offers big views of both mountains and plains, and its lined with interpretive signs about local weather and climate. When hes not staring at a screen trying to figure out why a semicolon is causing an entire system to malfunction, he enjoys spending time with his family outdoors immersed in culture and nature. 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. This easy, family-friendly stroll goes around the lake in Sloan's Lake Park. Local tip: With your back to the road, everyone hikes straight ahead to the lookout point. Here are my tested methods for keeping it fun and interesting out there. 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