12 leaf-peeping hikes to make the most of fall colors while you can

Oct 05, 2024

Colorado provides endless beautiful areas for driving for those who don't want to hike to get their fall colors. Here, a road swerves through the Mount Evans Wilderness decorated with popping leaves. Photo: Haley Lena

SUMMIT COUNTY, Colo. — It is officially fall, and in Colorado, that’s when the state truly shows off its full array of mountain beauty. Hikers, drivers and mountain bikers can enjoy eye-popping fall foliage without trekking too far from the metro area, but others travel deep into the Centennial State for those fleeting red and golden leaves.

Many meteorologists feared recent cold and rainy weather would knock off most of the colors, but scores of them survived and are just waiting to be ogled if you know where to go. That’s why we at Colorado Community Media put together a list of some of the most rewarding hiking experiences for autumn sentimentalists.

As weekend adventurers hit the mountains after the work week, traffic is sure to pile up. So if you can, try one of these stunning hikes during the week, or at least get up early to beat the morning weekend crowd.

Here are 12 hikes to show off the state’s best autumn colors. Some may require a bit of a road trip, but most are easy day hikes not far from the metro area. Sometimes, you just have to get out there.

AllTrails.com provides all trail stats listed below. Remember that terms like “easy,” “moderate” and “hard” are subjective and depend on your judgment, experience, stamina and more.

EASY

Raccoon Trail

Golden Gate Canyon State Park, near Rollinsville

Type: Loop

Length: 2.6 miles

Elevation: 462 feet

Time to complete: 1:14

Drive from Denver: 35 miles

Old Dillon Reservoir Trail
Dillon Reservoir Recreation Area, near SilverthorneType: LoopLength: 1.7 milesElevation: 213 feetTime to complete: 0:40Drive from Denver: 72 miles

Kebler Pass/Irwin Lake
Gunnison National Forest, near SomersetType: Loop Length: 2.2 miles Elevation: 98 feet Time to complete: 0:44Drive from Denver: 196 miles
Lily Pad Lake Trail
Eagles Nest Wilderness, near FriscoType: Out-and-back Length: 3.3 miles Elevation: 403 feet Time to complete: 1:21 Drive from Denver: 71 miles

MODERATE

Silver Dollar Lake and Murray Lake Trail
Arapahoe National Forest, near Guanella Pass Type: Out-and-backLength: 4.2 miles Elevation: 1,085 feet Time to complete: 2:00 Drive from Denver: 55 miles

Mason Creek Trail
Staunton State Park, near ConiferType: Out-and-backLength: 8.4 miles Elevation: 1,574 feet Time to complete: 4:00 Drive from Denver: 39 miles

Chief Mountain Trail
Arapahoe National Forest, near Idaho Springs Type: Out-and-back Length: 2.8 miles Elevation: 948 feetTime to complete: 1 hour, 47 minutesDrive from Denver: 37 miles

Grizzly Gulch Trail Arapahoe National Forest, near Silver PlumeType: Out-and-back Length: 5.2 miles Elevation: 1,131 feet Time to complete: 2 hours, 45 minutes Drive from Denver: 50 miles
Flash of Gold Trail Medicine Bow-Routt National Park, near Steamboat SpringsType: Out-and-back Length: 10.5 miles Elevation: 1,250 feet Time to complete: 4:18 Drive from Denver: 160 miles

HARD

Kenosha Pass North Pike National Forest, near JeffersonType: Out-and-backLength: 11.5 miles Elevation: 1,666 feetTime to complete: 5:00Drive from Denver: 66 miles

Oh-Be-Joyful TrailGunnison National Forest, near Crested Butte Type: Out-and-back Length: 13 miles Elevation: 2,148 feet Time to complete: 6 hours Drive from Denver: 195 miles

Abyss Lake via Abyss Lake Trail #602Mount Evans Wilderness, near Guanella Pass Type: Out-and-backLength: 16.7 milesElevation: 3,379 feet Time to complete: 8:19 Drive from Denver: 63 miles

Honorable Mention

Trail Ridge Road (to drive) Rocky Mountain National Park, near Estes Park Type: Peak-to-peak drive Length: 39 miles Elevation: 3,891 feet Time to complete: Depends on traffic and speed Drive from Denver: 73 miles

Leaves are just now starting to change along the Grizzly Gulch in Arapahoe National Forest. Photo: John Renfrow, Colorado Community Media

Let’s be real: sometimes you don’t want to move. Take your rig out for a pilgrimage to Rocky Mountain National Park for a beautiful and scenic drive from one mountain peak to the next. The drive to Estes Park is breathtaking and if you’re willing to pay to get into the park, sit back and relax while you cruise through beautiful changing colors and snow-capped mountains.

But beware of traffic and make sure to check the weather, park information and more before making the trip.

Regardless of where you chase the changing leaves this fall, be safe and be on top of the latest forecasts. Get out there before it’s gone!