Colorado’s Best Spring Hikes for Wildflowers

When the snow starts to melt, the flowers begin to bloom, and there is no other state in the nation that can compare to Colorado when it comes to variety of landscapes. From sandstone arches and Native American ruins in the West and South West to flower-filled meadows and snow-capped peaks in the central mountains to mesmerizing waterfalls, sand dunes and deep canyons, Colorado has it all. If you are in search of some great spring hikes, chances to see wildflowers or just some new trail ideas to add to your hiking list, here are ten places you need to visit throughout the state. 

1. Garden of the Gods Colorado Springs

Garden of the Gods is by far one of the most popular parks in Colorado. Located at the base of Pikes Peak, this National Natural Landmark and popular park features stunning geological formations, rock climbing, nature trails and the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center. You can choose to take an easy stroll on one of the park’s short trails, rock climb some of the monoliths or bike along the roads. Spring is a wonderful time to explore the Garden of the Gods and see wildflowers. To get away from the crowds at this busy park you can also stop for a hike at the nearby Red Rock Canyon Open Space. I recommend the Red Rock Rim Trail to Palmer Trail, a 5.4 mile trail that has some stunning geologic formations, a pond and beautiful wildflowers. 

• Length: Several walking trails of various lengths throughout the park range from 1- 5 miles.
• Estimated Time: 2-3 Hours
• Best For: Families, people with dogs, rock climbers, bikers and walkers.

2. Hanging Lake near Glenwood Springs.

Hanging Lake is a Colorado treasure and a rare example of a travertine geological formation, located in the heart of Glenwood Canyon on the White River National Forest. The 1.2 mile trail is steep with 1,000 feet of elevation gain – it’s rigorous and rocky but so rewarding. This Natural National Landmark features awe-inspiring scenery and a lake with cascading waterfalls!  

This hike requires a reservation and is closed until May 1st. There are two options for getting to the trailhead in 2021. Your first option is to park at the Hanging Lake rest area, and your second option is to bike from Glenwood to the Hanging Lake Rest stop along the Glenwood Bike Path. Both options require a permit which can be booked online here.

Note: dogs are not allowed on this hike.

• Length: 1.5 miles | 1,000 feet of elevation
• Estimated Time: 2-3 Hours
• Best For: Serious hikers and bikers in good physical condition.

3. Gothic Mountain in Crested Butte 

This is one of my favorite spring/early summer hikes in Colorado. It is challenging and rises 12, 631 feet, the trail is relatively long with several false summits but absolutely rewarding. The hike starts on the famed 403 trail (a popular mountain biking trail), meandering through meadows filled with wildflowers before it enters the forest. Flower lovers will love the glacier lilies, bluebonnets and other colorful wildflowers.  As you ascend through the woods you will come up to a narrow ridgeline with soaring views of the Maroon Bells and surrounding mountain ranges. See more in this video on hiking Gothic Mountain.  If you’re visiting Crested Butte for a few days, you also won’t want to miss staying right on the mountain at the Crested Butte House.  

• Length: 7.5 miles
• Estimated Time: 4-6 Hours
• Best For: Serious hikers and bikers in good physical condition.

4. Timberline Falls: Rocky Mountain National Park 

Timberline Falls and Sky Pond Trail is a 9.3 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located in Rocky Mountain National Park near Estes Park, Colorado. The trail is difficult taking you past Alberta Falls and then into the beautiful Loche Vale.  As you hike on past the waterfalls of Alberta and then Timberline Falls hikers you will find Lake of Glass, additional falls, and breathtaking Sky Pond.

Glacier Gorge is the home to some of the best hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park, and this waterfall hike is one of the best. The parking lots can fill up fast at RMNP and there is a new ticketing system for access into the park. Make sure you reserve a timed entry online prior to arrival at RMNP. For best access take the RMNP shuttle to the parking lot of the Glacier Gorge Trailhead. 

• Length: 9.3 miles
• Estimated Time: 6-8 Hours
• Best For: Serious hikers

5. Mount Bierstadt- Idaho Springs 

The popular 14,060’ peak off of Guanella Pass near Georgetown is an accommodating 6-mile round trip along a well-maintained trail. You descend through marshland and willow trees and along boardwalks where, if you’re lucky, you may spot a moose before starting the ascent up the mountain. It’s a great starter mountain for those hoping to hike all of Colorado’s 58 14,000’ summits (the eponymous 14ers). For the even more experienced hiker you can test your skills on Sawtooth Ridge, a 1-mile stretch of Class 3 rock that connects the summit of Bierstadt with the shoulder of 13,842’ Mount Spaulding and eventually 14,264’ Mount Evans. The typical descent back to Guanella Pass involves bushwhacking through moose-infested swampland, where 7-foot tall willows create a natural garden maze.

• Length: 7.1 miles
• Estimated Time: 5-7 Hours
• Best For: Serious hikers from May – October

6.Black Canyon of the Gunnison

An often-overlooked national park, Black Canyon of the Gunnison takes you down into a canyon rather than up onto its peaks.  The springtime is full of colorful wildflowers that dot the canyon peaks and blanket the riverway. The trails are more like suggested scrambles rather than fully developed hiking paths. The easiest of these is the Class 3 Gunnison Route, a vague idea of a trail that has an 80-foot section with a handheld chain for support. It drops down 1,800’ in one mile, so what it lacks in total distance it makes up for in thrilling scrambling.

Rivers flow deep along the canyon floor, making for a shadowy place where the towering walls feel like the entrance to the netherworld. Wandering the canyon base is so marvellously unique for Colorado, it deserves a visit for adventurous hikers who aren’t afraid to get a little dirty on the way down, and don’t mind returning up at the end of the day. 

• Length: 1.8 miles
• Estimated Time: 2-4 Hours
• Best For: Serious hikers from May – October

7. Great Sand Dunes National Park 

Great Sand Dunes National Park is such a great spring or winter option for those looking to explore Southeastern Colorado. A magnificent and meandering series of white and yellow sand dunes tucked into a mountain setting. Star Dune is the largest of them all and stands at about 700 feet. Kids and adventures will love running and sledding down the dunes which seem to go on forever.

In the early spring when the rivers run through the fine sand basin, the landscape transforms into a living, breathing desert in a compact package. Above the dunes stand the Sangre de Cristo Peaks, many towering over 13,000’. Wandering among the dunes can be as long or as short as you like it to be—consider it your own personal sandbox. Early evenings and mornings make for some of the best time of day to photograph the dunes, making for long shadows and more contrast mixed with late spring wildflowers, it is a beautiful place for a day trip. 

• Length: Various
• Estimated Time: 1-4 Hours
• Best For: Everyone
• Best Season: Winter, Spring, late Fall

8. San Luis Peak 

San Luis Peak is a nice, long day hike spanning 13.5 miles from the Stewart Creek Trailhead through one of Colorado’s most vibrant basins. The gradually grade of this trail is mellow but reaches 14,014’. The class 1 terrain starts in a piney forest, passes ponds and pools, and eventually opens up to large meadows filled with wildflowers with trickling streams, and wide-open views. It’s rarely crowded, despite being one of the more popular trails, and the rocky trail at the top is welcoming and easy to follow. Views are understandably incredible, partially due to the relatively remote location of this San Juan mountain. 

• Length: 13.5 miles
• Estimated Time: 6-8 Hours
• Best For: Serious hikers
• Best Season: Summer

9. Rattlesnake Arches – Fruita 

Near Grand Junction, Mcinnis Canyon National Recreation Area is right on the other side of the Colorado National Monument. If you haven’t ever been out to Colorado National Monument you don’t know what you are missing.  This area of the northern end of western Colorado’s Uncompahgre Plateau comes alive with remote canyons that slice through colorful sandstone layers to form cliffs, pinnacles, alcoves, and—most impressively—arches. You can find a collection of 35 natural arches, including eight major arches, tucked away in Rattlesnake Canyon. These soaring spans, protected in the 123,400-acre McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area, form the world’s second-largest concentration of arches outside of Utah’s Arches National Park.

The Rattlesnake Canyon Arches are one of Colorado’s most spectacular wonders, but also one of its best-kept secrets. The trail is accessible by a rough drive on a 4×4 road and a moderate hike or about a 15-mile round-trip trek from a trailhead west of Grand Junction. It’s off the beaten path but Rattlesnake Arches is truly one of Colorado’s most remarkable landscapes. Keep your eyes peeled for flowering cactus, Indian paintbrush and small wildflowers.  Those with 4WD can take Black Ridge Road to the start of a 6.3 mile trail that circles the arches, or choose to climb up out of the arches to make it shorter ( scrambling and climbing required). Serous adventurers can take the Pollock trail to Rattlesnake Arches Out and Back Trail about 15 miles which goes up and down through several canyons before meeting up with the arch trail. There is a lot of open terrain to explore, but a tour on the Rattlesnake Arches Trail (starting from Black Ridge Road) is the best way to take it all in. 

• Length: 15.3 miles
• Estimated Time: 6-8 Hours
• Best Season: Spring, winter and fall.
• Best For: Serious hikers and photographers

10. Sand Canyon Trail: Canyons of the Ancients National Monument-  Cortez 

The Sand Canyon trail is a popular out and back trail located near Cortez, Colorado. This is a long trail at around 12 miles but for those that want a great mixture of ancient architecture and desert wildlife, it’s a must. The trail takes you past the ancient Pueblos and cave dwellings of the Ute Native Americans and through beautiful desert canyons. The trail starts out relatively moderately but rises steeply at the end with about 30 switchbacks. Challenging but rewarding, this trail takes you past several ruins to Sand canyon Pueblo. Here are the directions.

• Length: 12.4 Miles Out and Back Trail
• Time: 6-8 Hours
• Best For: Experienced hikers. Dog friendly but exposed so bring shoes for your friend or hike in the cooler parts of the day. Walkers and less experienced can walk the first 2 miles then turn around.

Loved it? Save this for later, and drop a comment down below. 

You Might Also like: