Photo: via Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

Where the Wildflowers Bloom: The 15 Best Spring Hikes in Colorado

Allison Sylte·
Outdoor
·16 min read
Last updated:

As the snow begins to melt, Colorado’s hillsides turn green, and wildflowers begin to paint the mountains in a tapestry of color. Spring is truly the perfect time to experience the Centennial State, and there are no shortage of amazing hikes in and around Denver. 

That’s why we put together this list of the best hikes in Colorado in the spring, ranging from easy jaunts near Denver to epic stretches of the Colorado Trail to a waterfall experience that kind of feels like Hawaii. 

Check out our recommendations below.

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Photo: Mount Galbraith Park via Shutterstock.com

Best Spring Hikes in Colorado within 30 Minutes of Denver

Elk Meadow Park

  • Location: Evergreen
  • Distance from Denver: About 30 minutes (if Interstate 70 cooperates!)
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Recommended route: Elk Meadow Loop (4 miles, 593 feet of elevation gain)

Where to get a post-hike beer: Evergreen Brewery

This might be the quintessential version of what out-of-towners picture when they think of trails in Denver, Co. This gorgeous mountain loop has everything that you need in a spring hike, from tranquil singletrack through a lush forest to views of the mountains and meadows filled with wildflowers. This park has plenty of options for more strenuous adventures (the Bergen Peak Trail is a must for seasoned trail runners), but the Elk Meadow Loop is the perfect adventure for someone who wants to get outside without working too hard. It’s especially great for the spring since much of it is in the sun, meaning it dries out more quickly than other spots in the park.

Mount Falcon Park 

Mount Falcon is home to some of the best trails in Denver, Co — and beyond. One of the true highlights is the Castle Trail, which starts at the base of the foothills in Morrison and gradually climbs more than 1,500 feet, offering views of Red Rocks to the north and the Denver skyline and ending at the ruins of a “castle” itself. If that’s a little too rich for your blood, you can also park at the west trailhead to avoid most of the miles and climbing and still see the epic view from the top. This is some premier hiking in Denver, Colorado, so expect it to be a little bit busy with other hikers and bikers, especially on lovely spring weekends. 

Mount Galbraith Park

There are lots of great hikes in Golden, Colorado, but this one just outside of town is one of the best. The Mount Galbraith Loop Trail isn’t particularly long, but it is fairly steep and rocky, meaning you’ll definitely earn that post-hike beer. It’s also worth it — as you begin your climb up this foothill in Golden Gate Canyon, you’ll be rewarded with views of the Mile High City and the plains to the east, as well as snow-capped peaks in the distance. Be sure to take the turnoff to the actual summit of Mt. Galbraith itself — it’s a fairly new addition to the park and one that’s more than worth it. If you’re looking for challenging trails in Denver, Colorado, Mount Galbraith will easily provide some of the best. 

South Table Mountain Park 

You can’t talk about hikes in Golden, Colorado without mentioning South Table Mountain. To start, it’s so iconic that it’s on many postcards for Coors Brewing. It also has plenty of gorgeous opportunities for scenic loops that offer views of Golden (which is literally right below it), as well as the downtown Denver skyline and much of the Front Range. This is also a prime spot for wildflowers during the spring. We recommend checking out the Basalt Cap Loop Trail, a 3.7-mile trail that offers a short climb to the peak of this mountain before circumnavigating the top, offering plenty of options for photo-ops and taking in the views.

William F. Hayden Park on Green Mountain

This is certainly one of the best-known trails in Denver, Colorado — and spring is when it truly shines. William F. Hayden Park is located on that huge green mountain you can see from all over Lakewood and while driving on C-470. Thanks to its unique, treeless geography, it happens to be one of the best hiking opportunities in Denver, Colorado, where you can see wildflowers. During the spring months, the hill is littered with everything from Indian paintbrushes to sunflowers — and everything in between. It also happens to be a “choose-your-own adventure” type park, with opportunities to get a workout in on the steep service road and circumnavigate the top of this mountain on the Summit Loop. No matter what you pick, you’ll be rewarded with views of the entire Front Range and the Denver skyline. 

Photo: Garden of the Gods via Shutterstock.com

Best Spring Hikes in Colorado within an Hour of Denver 

Castlewood Canyon State Park

This state park just east of Castle Rock has everything, from panoramic views of the Front Range looming over the plains to very Moab-like canyons that offer some of the best hikes in Colorado. It’s especially amazing during the spring when Cherry Creek is full of runoff, and the waterfall you can see from the Creek Trail is surging in its full glory. Be sure to check out the Rim Rock Trail, which, after a steep climb, winds through the smooth rocks atop the canyon before descending back down to the creek. Beyond the views, you’ll also see the ruins of a historic dam (very Lord of the Rings vibes) about a quarter-mile from the trailhead. 

Staunton State Park

If you’re wondering where to hike in Colorado in spring — or basically any season, really — Staunton State Park is the answer, thanks to its huge network of well-maintained trails for every ability level and simply gorgeous views. We keep coming back to the Mason Creek and Old Mill Loop Trail, which climbs up a rocky canyon before traversing along a ridgeline with plenty of scenic lookouts that offer mindblowing views of the Platte River valley and even Pikes Peak in the distance. If this 7.3-mile excursion is a little much for you, the relatively flat and short Davis Ponds loop also has plenty to enjoy. Plus, this park is chock-full of meadows that bloom with gorgeous wildflowers during the spring. 

Garden of the Gods

The Garden of the Gods has some of the best hikes in Colorado Springs — actually, it has some of the best hikes in Colorado, period. That’s thanks to the park’s mind-blowing red rock formations that draw visitors from all over the world. There also happen to be 21 miles of hiking trails in the Garden of the Gods, meaning there’s something for everyone, from families with little kids in strollers to more seasoned outdoorspeople looking for a workout. We recommend checking out the Palmer, Cabin Canyon, Strausenbach, and Central Gardens Trail Loop, which wind through numerous formations and offer a combination of paved trails and slightly rockier terrain. It’s easily one of the best hikes in Colorado Springs for kids (the rocks will blow their minds!) as well as people who want to enjoy some of the best outdoor scenery Colorado has to offer. 

Colorado Trail Segment 3

  • Location: Near Deckers
  • Distance from Denver: About an hour and 10 minutes
  • Difficulty: Hard
  • Recommended route: Park at the Little Scraggly Trailhead and leave another vehicle at the Wellington Lake Road trailhead (this route is 12.2 miles long with 1,837 feet of elevation gain)
  • Where to get a post-hike beer: The Sprucewood Inn 

We can’t talk about where to hike in Colorado in spring without mentioning at least one leg of the Colorado Trail. This segment of the iconic thru-hike takes explorers from the Little Scraggly Trailhead near Deckers to the Wellington Lake Road trailhead, a little more than 12.2 miles away. Over the course of your adventure, you’ll get to check out many of the region’s unique rock formations as well as views of the Platte River valley. It’s a great spot for wildflowers during the spring, and it also happens to be less busy than it is during the summer months. 

Flatirons Vista Trail

Many hikes in Colorado are all about climbing as high into the mountains as you can, and we’re pleased to say this one is much more chill. It’s all about enjoying the views of said mountains from the plains. This 3.5-mile loop has some of the best views of the Flatirons around (hence its name), as well as lots of wildlife — if you pay attention, you might even spot the birds of prey that call this park home. Be sure to stop at the overlook. 

Photo: via Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

Best Spring Hikes in Colorado More Than 1.5 Hours from Denver 

Cub Lake Trail

This out-and-back trail in the Moraine Park area of Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the best hikes in Colorado during virtually every season, but especially during the spring. Thanks to the wildflowers and the fact it gets slightly less snow cover than other trails in the park, it’s passable without special gear earlier in the season. It also has a relatively mellow amount of elevation gain, but a great reward thanks to the gorgeous alpine lake at the end, as well as views of the nearby peaks. 

See also

Great Sand Dunes National Park

  • Location: Mosca
  • Distance from Denver: About 3 hours and 40 minutes
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Recommended route: Just go into the dunes and explore! 
  • Where to get a post-hike beer: T Road Brewing Company

Thanks to what’s known as the “surge flow” in Medano Creek, the Sand Dunes are easily one of the best hikes in Colorado during the spring. You’ll want to spend as much time as you can playing in the water as it creates cascading waves over the sand. If you’re ready for a little exercise, be sure to hike into the dunes themselves. Here, it’s truly a choose-your-own-adventure. You might be content to head to the top of one of the dunes right by the creek (hiking here is more challenging than you think!). Or you can really be a star and journey to the top of Star Dune, which is the tallest sand dune in North America. 

Mica Mine Trail

This trail is easily one of the best and most accessible hikes in the underrated gem that is Grand Junction. Thanks to its spot in the desert, spring happens to be the perfect time to visit. Over the course of the roughly 1.3 miles to the end of the trail, you’ll see everything from towering red rock canyon walls to stream crossings to a surprisingly lush riparian environment. A heads up: The canyon is narrow, and while the hike is great for dogs and kids, be careful, since you can’t see too far ahead. 

Paint Mines Interpretive Park

You don’t feel like you’re in Colorado while hiking in the Paint Mines as much as you are on another planet. This unique spot in the plains east of Colorado Springs offers stunning views of colorful rock formations and a history lesson about the people who have visited this place for more than 9,000 years. The 3.4-mile Paint Mines interpretive trail offers plenty of views of the formations themselves, as well as the stunning plains to the east. Give yourself plenty of time to crawl and explore the little alcoves in the rocks themselves, and definitely don’t forget your camera. 

Rifle Falls State Park

Sure, this hike is definitely in Colorado, but it has some major Hawaii vibes thanks to its lush greenery and stunning waterfalls. At 0.7 miles, the Rifle Falls Coyote Trail is short, but it has everything you could want, from views of the epic waterfalls to caves that are perfect for little kids to hide in. You can connect this with a couple of other trails in the park, but we won’t judge you if you prefer to snag a book and post up within view of the stunning Rifle Falls themselves. One thing that makes this a great spring hike is its location. Rifle is in a “banana belt” type part of the state, meaning it’s warmer than other places on the Western Slope. Like we said: It’s like bringing Hawaii to Colorado — something we all need after a rough winter. 

Photo: Paint Mines Interpretive Park via Shutterstock.com

What to Bring Hiking in Colorado During the Spring 

Spring might be one of the most unpredictable seasons in Colorado. It could be 70 degrees and sunny, or it could be 20 degrees with two feet of wet, heavy snow in the forecast. That’s why it’s essential to be prepared, especially if you’re planning to hit the trails. 

Below is a list of what to bring when spring hiking in Colorado. In addition to packing correctly, make sure you check the weather forecast and let someone know where you’re headed. We recommend buying a state parks pass or fishing license as well, since this comes with search and rescue. 

Recommended gear includes: 

  • Layers: Stow a packable windbreaker in your backpack year-round. Also, be sure to use a combination of long and short-sleeve shirts that effectively wick moisture. There could be a big difference in temperature between the trailhead and the summits of many hikes! 
  • Sun protection: That high-altitude sun is brutal, so pack sunscreen as well as sunglasses and a hat. 
  • Good shoes: Wear waterproof hiking boots and shoes that can withstand a variety of conditions. 
  • Nutrition: Nobody wants to be hangry and — or thirsty. Be sure to pack plenty of food and water for your hike. A water filter is a very good investment if you plan on spending much time in the backcountry, and in terms of calories, it’s better to be over-prepared rather than underprepared! 
  • Navigation: You can’t rely on your phone to work the entire time you’re in the backcountry. Invest in some good paper maps and snag some at the trailhead. And, once again, tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back. 

For more recommendations, check out this article from the National Park Service.

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