People in other states might scoff at the thought of voluntarily trekking through deep snow at high elevations, but not Coloradans. Winter is the prime time to explore the Centennial State’s ample wonders, and luckily, there’s no shortage of great snowshoe trails in Colorado.
We put together this list of Colorado snowshoe trails, encompassing everything from easy treks to historical mining ruins to challenging journeys to the top of the state’s highest peaks. These trails are within a couple of hours of Denver and, perhaps most importantly, they are in close proximity to cool mountain towns where you can reward yourself with a post-hike beer.
This is winter in Colorado, so be sure to pack plenty of layers and check the forecast before you go.
Best Beginner Snowshoe Trails in Colorado
Cub Lake (Loop or Out-and-Back)
Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, Colorado
- Distance from Denver: 75 miles (a roughly one-hour, 45-minute drive without traffic)
- Length: 6 miles
- Elevation gain: 750 feet
During the summer, this family-friendly trail in the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park is packed. Once the snow falls, the views remain, but there’s far more solitude to be had on this journey, which is considered one of the best snowshoeing trails in Estes Park, Colorado. The hike to Cub Lake starts with a gentle grade through a beautiful meadow in Moraine Park (yes, you will want to take all the photos). From here, you’ll trek up some gentle switchbacks before you make your way to Cub Lake. Be sure to pack some lunch and maybe even some hot cocoa, because you’ll want to stick around for a while and savor the view of this alpine lake set against the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains. It’s roughly 2.3 miles one way to the lake, and you can either complete this trail as an out-and-back or, if you’re feeling saucy, take the Fern Lake Trail to turn this into a loop. One thing to keep in mind if you do the loop: the last mile or so will be on a road, but this is Rocky Mountain National Park, so even walking along the pavement is worth it for the views.
Iowa Hill Mine Trail
Breckenridge, Colorado
- Distance from Denver: 80 miles (a roughly 1.5-hour drive without traffic)
- Length: 1.5 miles
- Elevation gain: 187 feet
Seemingly everywhere you look, you’ll find amazing snowshoe trails in Breckenridge, Colorado, and if you’re a fan of history, this one packs quite the punch in the perfect introductory distance. This beginner snowshoe trail winds through an abandoned mining site, with plenty of signs to help you learn about life when the resort town of Breckenridge was part of the Wild West. Don’t worry if you need a break: There are also plenty of benches. The last portion of this loop is downhill, and, perhaps most importantly of all, the trailhead is only a five-minute drive from downtown Breckenridge — meaning you can enjoy all the apres after your history lesson.
Meyer Ranch Park
Conifer, Colorado
- Distance from Denver: 30 miles (about a 35-minute drive)
- Length: A maximum of 4.2 miles
- Elevation gain: 925 feet
You don’t need to go far from the Front Range to find snowshoe trails in Colorado. Case in point? Meyer Ranch Park, an open space located a little more than a half an hour from downtown Denver. This park has multiple loops of varying lengths, from less than a mile to a roughly four-mile figure-eight style journey that heads up the Old Ski Run Trail. If you choose this more extended option, you’ll be rewarded with fantastic views of the snow-capped peaks of Park County, as well as a tranquil walk through an evergreen forest that feels a world away from the city. This is a popular spot, so you’re sure to encounter lots of fellow snowshoers, fat bikers, and hikers. This means the trail will likely be packed down, making it a great spot to get used to your gear and practice your technical snowshoeing skills before heading deeper into the backcountry.
Raccoon Trail
Golden Gate Canyon State Park, Rollinsville, Colorado
- Distance from Denver: 40 miles (about an hour’s drive without traffic)
- Length: 2.6 miles
- Elevation gain: 462 feet
Once you finish this gorgeous loop, you’ll get why this is considered one of the best snowshoe trails in Colorado. This beginner-friendly Colorado snowshoe trail traverses an open meadow and aspens, before offering a very Instagram-worthy view of Panorama Peak. At 2.6 miles, it should take around an hour — just enough time to feel like you got a workout without ruining your entire day. Afterward, be sure to stop in Golden (we recommend Cannonball Creek) for a well-deserved beer.
St. Mary’s Glacier
Idaho Springs, Colorado
- Distance from Denver: 45 miles (about an hour’s drive without traffic)
- Length: 1.6 miles (out-and-back)
- Elevation gain: 528 feet
No list of the best snowshoeing trails in Colorado is complete without St. Mary’s Glacier. This beginner snowshoe trail in Colorado is basically a rite of passage for Denverites who want to try out this winter sport for the first time with plenty of rewards and not quite as much commitment. The trailhead, located near Idaho Springs, takes hikers to a gorgeous alpine lake. This trail is a little less than a mile from your car and is a perfect stopping point — especially if you bring the kids. If you’d like to go a little bit farther, head to the glacier itself. There’s not an established trail, so you have to pick the best route to the top. Be warned: This is steep, so in addition to snowshoes, it’s best to bring an ice axe and be prepared to self-arrest if necessary. One more heads up: There is a $20 fee to use this popular trailhead. Once you’re done with your hike, be sure to stop at downtown Idaho Springs and snag a beer at one of the multiple great restaurants and bars on the main drag.
Challenging Colorado Snowshoeing Trails That Are Worth the Effort
James Peak Trail
Black Hawk, Colorado
- Distance from Denver: 40 miles (about 50 minutes without traffic)
- Length: 8 miles
- Elevation gain: 2,952 feet
If the trail to St. Mary’s Glacier is a high school diploma in snowshoeing, think of the James Peak Trail as a master’s degree. This challenging route takes upwards of five hours to complete, and it involves a trek up St. Mary’s Glacier itself before even more elevation gain to the summit of James Peak, which stands at 13,271 feet (Fun fact: This is one of the snow-capped mountains you see in the classic view on Interstate 70 near the Genesee exit). This is winter mountaineering, so in addition to snowshoes, be sure to bring lots of layers, spikes, and an ice axe with you. Also be sure to check the weather forecast and avalanche conditions before you head out.
Lake Isabelle Trail
Nederland, Colorado
- Distance from Denver: 60 miles (a roughly one-hour, 20-minute drive without traffic)
- Length: 11 miles
- Elevation gain: 1,036 feet
This popular summer hike happens to be one of the best snowshoeing trails in Colorado — that is, if you’ve got 11 miles in your legs. This Colorado snowshoeing trail starts with a gentle grade through a lush forest before the terrain slowly opens up at the tip of Long Lake. From here, you’re rewarded with amazing views of the nearby Indian Peaks — but keep going. Your real reward is Lake Isabelle, which sits above treeline. If you’re lucky, you’ll see numerous frozen waterfalls and a gorgeous view of tall peaks in all directions. A warning: You’re pretty high up, so be prepared to be exposed to the elements and bring lots of layers. Also check the weather report so you aren’t caught in a storm at elevation.
The Loch via the Glacier Gorge Trail
Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, Colorado
- Distance from Denver: 80 miles (a roughly two-hour drive without traffic)
- Length: 5.4 miles
- Elevation gain: 1,062 feet
This hike isn’t just one of the best snowshoeing trails near Estes Park, Colorado — it’s considered one of the coolest in the country. This trek begins with a journey through snow-covered aspen groves with a gentle incline. From here, you’ll cross two bridges to Alberta Falls. This is where the real fun (aka a bunch of switchbacks) begins. You’ll complete most of the route’s elevation gain as you make your way up a scenic gorge to the Loch. If you made it this far, you’ll be rewarded with views of snow-capped peaks and the glaciers of the Continental Divide. If you’d like, you can just jet back to your car, but if you still have plenty of energy, this section of Rocky Mountain National Park is home to some of the most beautiful alpine lakes in the country, and it’s worth checking out the surrounding trails.
Quandary Peak Trail
Breckenridge, Colorado
- Distance from Denver: 90 miles (about an hour and 45-minute drive without traffic)
- Length: 6.3 miles
- Elevation gain: 3,333 feet
If you’re looking to summit your first winter 14er, this snowshoe trail in Breckenridge, Colorado, might be one of the easiest options. Of course, in this context, the term “easy” is subjective. Throughout this 6.3-mile hike, you’ll ascend more than 3,000 feet, battling snowdrifts, icy conditions, high winds, and potential avalanche danger along the way. If you do make it to the top, you’ll be rewarded with 360-degree views of the Summit County’s peaks — as well as all of the bragging rights about successfully climbing one of Colorado’s tallest peaks during the toughest season. Since this trail is relatively close to Breckenridge, you can take some solace in the fact that someone else has likely broken trail. In addition to snowshoes, bring microspikes to help navigate icy sections, and check the weather forecast before you go. Also make sure to check the latest avalanche conditions.
Spruce Creek and Deadhorse Creek Loop
Winter Park, Colorado
- Distance from Denver: 75 miles (about an hour and 45 minutes without traffic)
- Length: 7.2 miles
- Elevation gain: 1,394 feet
Colorado snowshoe trails should have two things: gorgeous scenery and easy access to cool mountain towns (because it’s always time for apres). This epic loop near Winter Park has both — and offers a fun workout to boot. This trail follows two mountain creeks through a beautiful evergreen forest. When the meadow opens up, you should be able to catch great views of nearby Bottle and Ptarmigan Peaks, as well as Morse Mountain. Part of the loop follows a forest road, so this a great spot if you have any friends who prefer to cross-country ski while you snowshoe.
