The Boulder area is home to enough awesome hiking trails to keep you happy for at least a lifetime. Don't forget to bring a pair of binoculars. Nature is simply more enjoyable when you can relax and take the time to enjoy it. The castle itself is on private property, and cannot be accessed from this trail. Be on the lookout for the occasional bike, or grab your own, but stick to the designated areas. Boy Scout Hike at Flagstaff Nature Center ~ Boulder DIFFICULTY: EASY STROLLER FRIENDLY: NO. From either trailhead, which both sit below Bald Mountain and the Bald Mountain Scenic Area, you can explore all of Indian Peaks Wilderness. South Boulder Peak and Bear Mountain Trail South Boulder Peak and Bear Mountain Trail in Boulder, CO, is a dog-friendly, 5.6 mile hike that generally takes about 6 hours to complete. Boulder is a very fit community, and youll be reminded of it every time a bike zooms past you. Oh I know! Again, this one is very busy. Along the way, there are plenty of rock outcroppings, boulders, caves, and more to explore. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Malaysia. Required fields are marked *. Due to the decreased oxygen, you will breath more and there is moisture loss in each breath. Hike to Bear Peak via the Shanahan Trail to see what the foothills of Boulder are all about. New Santa Fe Trail 14 miles one way, pleasant six-foot wide gravel trail. Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Itll be smooth sailing back to the South Mesa Trailhead, where you started. Colorado Springs, CO 80903. In this article, we cover top restaurants to try the best Chinese food in Boulder. 16 and 29.2 miles east of Rt. There are multiple trails, so make sure to consult a trail map before heading out! It joins up with the Mesa Trail and others if you want to extend your adventure. Getting here requires braving a long and bumpy gravel road, but once you've made it, the trail is great. You could also walk along the roads. 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. Generally the best tip is pay attention to your and your kids urine. The wheels swivel and lock in the front. Rock Island Trail 6 miles one way. In this guide, we will be covering the following: If youre visiting Colorado, the number of hikes to choose from can be overwhelming. 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. The trail starts near a campground. (New 10/2018), Is it CU or UC? So what if you only gain 200 feet in elevation from the parking lot? You're in the right place! It is typically at least 4 to 6 feet wide (with some wider passing spaces). 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. Trail runs northsouth along Shooks Run Creek. Note: trail has an on-street crossing at Nevada and goes under Union and Austin Bluffs. What is the longest stroller-friendly trail in Colorado? Sign up for our FREE weekly email with Boulders best events, concerts, happy hour deals, comedy shows and more. Keeping kids warm during winter adventures, The ultimate rustic weekend in northern Vermont with kids. The area is very popular for weekend picnics so parking may be an issue on nice weekend days. It connects to a number of other trails and with multiple trailheads it is easily accessible from many parts of the city. Boulder Creek is a 5.5 mile path starting near downtown Boulder and extending up towards the mountain. 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. 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! This is a loop hike through the woods with lots of large, interesting boulders. 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. Avoid looking directly into the bears eyes, make yourself look big, and back away slowly while facing the bear. This canyon is very popular and features plenty more hiking trails to explore. The trail also offers stunning views of Indian Peaks Wilderness, a peaceful ponderosa pine forest, prickly pear cactus galore, and lots of lizards. Golden hour photos are mind boggling. This short hike just outside downtown leads to some cool red rock sandstone formations. With that in mind, here are some trail recommendations for family hikes in Boulder: The Walter Orr Roberts Weather Trail at NCARis a relatively flat .4 mile loop thats perfect for the littlest hikers. Sightings of mule deer, squirrels, and chipmunks are common, while coyotes, red fox, mountain lions, and black bears are less likely. Whether you're getting ready to hike, bike, trail run, or explore other outdoor activities, AllTrails has 200 scenic trails in the Boulder area. Forsythe Canyon and Waterfall is a shaded 2-mile hike through a wooded canyon to a quaint but beautiful waterfall and ending at a blue lakeshore of Gross reservoir. (updated 10/2018), Restaurants with a past.. dining options with a history. TOSC is a 501(c)3 organization, tax ID #84-1156471. . 2.7 National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) 2.8 Boulder Falls. Our contributors do their best to give you all the details they can, but if something is missed, you can reach out to the contributor and offer suggestions for them to add to make it a better trail description for all. DIFFICULTY: EASY STROLLER FRIENDLY: NO Lichen Loop Trail is a quick and easy 1.3-mile loop that is part of the Heil Valley Ranch open space in Boulder County. Your email address will not be published. Informative signs spaced along the trail share information on the flora, fauna, and human history. From the split, you will start to see many small boulders along the trail. The route follows the closest ridgeline to the city without actually doing all the elevation gain and loss it takes to hike the ridge. It can be accessed from the visitor center where bathrooms and water is available. Sam Schild spends most of his time outside. There is a dirt parking area right by the trailhead. About 6 miles round trip. 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. Trail surface: paved concrete, smooth; Designated parking for this trail is located at the Main Parking Lot on the north end of Juniper Way #5 - Palmer, Cabin Canyon, Strausenbach, and Central Gardens Trail Loop. Its about more than standing on the mountain top. The next highest ascent for stroller-friendly trails is, Palmer, Cabin Canyon, Strausenbach, and Central Gardens Trail Loop. Boulder, Colorado is an outdoor mecca. Here are a few of the best stroller-friendly hikes in the Denver metro area! This trail is narrow compared to other urban trails, but it still has plenty of room for a stroller. Also, use for a maximum height of 44 inches. Parking will be a premium at the Flagstaff Summit, so start early. Both of them are van-accessible with a striped access aisle. If it is dark, drink even more water. Two popular options for parking are Settlers Park on Canyon Boulevard and Scott Carpenter Park at 30th and Arapahoe Avenue. Coot Lake (add some distance by going past Boulder Res) Interpretive displays present information about the ecosystem. At the end of this trail, you can connect with the Walker Ranch Loop trail if you want a longer hike, too. We are the voice of Boulder. ), Encourage them to make observations by using their senses (What does it look like? This trail is estimated to be 51.4 mi long. When hes not out on a trail somewhere, you can find him cruising on his bike or drinking coffee on a patio in Denver, Colorado. Beyond that, the family friendly trail is mostly paved, wheel chair and stroller accessible, and follows the creek through Boulder. It's a nice, easy trail that's good for the whole family. The Chautauqua Trail is a fun, short hike with great views of the Flatirons. Number of designated accessible spaces: unclear; You get a lot of use. What's Happening This Weekend in Boulder? Let Us Help You Reach More Boulder Residents For Less. Be sure to bring a daypack with extra trail snacks and water bottles. The first half mile of NCAR is an accessible nature trail with excellent views of Bear Peak and the surrounding foothills. " - Moderate Trails "We're Up for a Challenge!" - Difficult Trails Looking for more trail options? Also, be sure to bring some trekking poles, because the way down is no joke! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It ends at South Boulder Creek, which is a good place for a dip in the summertime. Re: Jogging stroller friendly hikes in Boulder/surrounding area 6 years ago Save Start at the East Boulder Rec Center -> Bobolink->South Boulder Creek Path.. lovely flat-ish trail that goes out to Marshal Rd. August is a great time to enjoy the abundance ofwildflowers in bloom. Its about nourishment and learning. 2.3 Wonderland Lake Loop. However, not all trails work well for strollers. Its pretty small and easy to miss. Huge THANK YOU to Hike it Baby for providing information for this page! Hike it Baby is not responsible for any injuries that occur while hiking the trails covered in this guide. The views of the Indian Peaks Wilderness from atop Mount Audubon are truly spectacular. Onward! Needless to say, I didn't get to see much. One great option is a water bladder that fits inside of a backpack or baby carrier. Stroller Friendly Trails. Part of the Colorado Front Range Trail, this section beginning at Palmer Lake, passes through the Air Force Academy (be sure to stay on trail, please do not trespass), then connects to Cottonwood and/or Pikes Peak Greenway Trails. According to AllTrails.com, the longest stroller-friendly trail in Colorado is. Don't forget your sturdy shoes, layers, snacks, and plenty of water! The trail surface is paved concrete or gravel (with partial edge barriers). The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) is a real educational gem in Boulder. 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. If you go on a weekend, we recommend walking to the trailhead because it fills up with cars quickly. Several ledges offer great views of the many surrounding mountains. Turn right to stay on Passaconaway Road, then immediately turn right again into the parking area. Check out the suggested hikes below to find the best fit for your group. Instagram@TrailsAndOpenSpace. To lessen the likelihood of dog-bear encounters, Boulder has imposed dog-leash restrictions on numerous trails from August 15 through November 1. Youll pass Long Lake, then Lake Isabelle as you climb up a valley towards the Continental Divide. Sign up to receive our newsletter packed with the best adventure guides, travel ideas, news, and articles. This park is a beautiful, historic and has several recreational amenities gardens, ponds, playgrounds, sports courts & fields, swimming pool, historic geological structures this park has it all! And the seasonal ditch is a great place to cool off on the way down. 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. 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. How to Pack a Backpack Are You Doing it Right? But this water was snow and ice until recently, so be prepared for a cold plunge! Go with trails that feature more than one type of ecosystem and at least one point of interest. Accessibility: Visitors using wheelchairs, mobility equipment, or A family-friendly trail that follows a creek and passes by the East Boulder off-leash dog park. The structure houses the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), a world-class research facility specializing in earth system science. $0.00, Hike it Baby Family Trail Guide is an online resource to help families with children source trails that little legs can hike and parents can feel comfortable with. Alli Fronzaglia is a hiking guide, naturalist, and community volunteer. On a clear day, dont miss the opportunity to capture wonderful images of Boulder and the surrounding area. 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. Visitors to the city can take advantage of 45,000 acres of city-owned open space land and over 150 miles of trails. Bobolink Trail: https://bouldercolorado.gov/osmp/bobolink-trailhead, Mt. 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. South Boulder Creek Trail at Bobolink Trail is a 1.5-mile trail (between Baseline and South Boulder Roads) that runs along South Boulder Creek. Another one of the best family-friendly hikes near Boulder is the Bobolink Trail. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. At the beginning of the hike, youll be twisting along the Shadow Canyon Trail, which also leads up to those peaks, so you can easily extend the hike if desired. The trail can be extended with more options from the lake's north shore (see below). Accessibility: It is unclear if there are any designated accessible spaces in the paved parking lot off of Swan Mountain Road at the south end of the trail. (If you look closely, you can see the climbers in our photo.). Check The Weather. (PS don't go down below if you don't have to this week. This true gem of Boulder hiking is right outside of town, but because of its location it can get pretty crowded. Which stroller friendly trail has the most elevation gain in Colorado? Recommended by Nicole H, former publisher of Macaroni Kid Colorado Springs. 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. Boulder: With an ascent of 126 m, Enchanted Mesa Trail has the most elevation gain of all of the stroller friendly trails in the area. Boulder, Colorado is a wonderful place to introduce children to a natural habitat adjacent to an urban environment. It is also possible to reach Gregory Canyon via the Bluebell-Baird Trail. 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