You know what I love? Camping. You know what I don’t love as much? Paying as much as I would for a hotel room for a night! Luckily, there are plenty of free campsites in and around the front range, and we’ve compiled some for you to get you started!   West Magnolia Ridge 602-610 County Highway 132-W Nederland, Colorado GPS: 39.946961, -105.517587 Elevation: 8711′ If you can brave rough camping accessed by a currently washed-out road, you’re in for a treat. This site is near Nederland and many hiking trails with sweeping views of the forests and mountains. Pets are allowed, and... Read More

Settler’s Park is a pretty area with an array of short trails. With red rocks, springing up from the same formation that caused the well known music doused Red Rocks in Morrison, CO- the Fountain Formation- Settler’s park is alive with geology, ecology, and history. As City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks says on their website: “Settlers’ Park got its name because it was thought to be the location of the first permanent camp of American settlers in the Boulder area.” That was back in 1858, when the area was still just being explored. You can find more information... Read More

Despite the occasional snow this winter, there has been many beautiful days for hiking. While you may not be ready for a winter Fourteener, I think you can definitely summit some of these super close beautiful mountains with amazing views. Just be sure to bring your crampons! Although some of these trails at the right time you may not need the crampons. My list gets progressively harder, so start at the top and climb your way up to the tops of those mountains first. 1. Bald Mountain, 1.5 miles one way: From Boulder, head west on Mapleton and on up about 7 miles on Sunshine Canyon. The small Boulder... Read More

The Mesa Trail is the kind of trail where you’ll want to keep your eyes open. It’s a trail where you’ll get incredible views of the Flatirons and a chance to see a lot of wildlife. Other than the dogs you will probably see on the trail (because the trail is dog-friendly), you’ll see falcons, songbirds, coyotes, deer, and red-tailed hawks. Black bears and mountain lions have also been spotted in this area as well, but it’s highly unlikely that you’ll encounter either of these ferocious beasts on your trip to the Mesa trail. The trail itself runs along the base... Read More

Boulder is famous for the majestic sandstone flatirons jutting from the mountainside above the town. Most people probably know that you can hike these soaring monoliths. The first and second flatiron trail is one of the most popular in Boulder County, climbing 2.7 miles through rocky debris and pine forests to sit among the boulders for which the city is named. Our Ratings: Crowd: 2/5. This is a very busy trail. On fair days and weekends you’ll be following a steady stream of other hikers up and down the mountain. Even at sunrise and during the winter the trail is well populated. If you’re... Read More

Boulder, CO, often known as the Boulder Bubble, is a magical place. It is a place where hipsters, bros, and outdoor enthusiasts gather. There are likely just as many yoga studios as there are dispensaries, hiking trails often appear in the middle of neighborhoods, and you can witness people biking to work in the middle of a snowstorm. The ambiance is so strong it is almost visible, and what better way to view the Bubble than from five separate peaks that make up the Skyline Traverse. In one very long day, you can summit Mount Sanitas, Flagstaff Mountain, Green Mountain, Bear Peak, and South Boulder... Read More

Colorado has a lot of mountains, and sometimes you may want something a bit more relaxing than scaling the flatirons. That’s what Coot Lake is for. It’s a flat lake area that houses coots, mallards, and lots of other ducks. A lot of the lake actually acts as a wildlife preserve for wetland species, so expect to see a fair amount of ducks and birds. You may even see a Northern Harrier, which is the most threatened nesting bird species in Boulder County. It’s also a very popular gathering place for dog walkers and runners, who can be seen pacing the trails in the area. Although,... Read More

Let’s face it Colorado is beautiful in the fall but for some, it just is not their favorite time to camp.  While most days are absolutely beautiful and make great camping weather some days see 40-degree swings between the highs and lows and it can get pretty damn chilly at night. Maybe you read my article about the 7 features to consider when buying a winter sleeping bag and you bought that sleeping bag and you’re still cold.  Well, you have a few options, you could go back to California, Texas, or Florida because you clearly aren’t cut out for this state or… you know go camping... Read More

October is upon us and change is in the air. It is officially fall in Colorful Colorado and once the aspens start to transform, we have a short window to get up to the mountains to experience the beauty of the season and see layers of aspens covered in shades of green, gold, orange and red. Here’s our list of Four Unforgettable Fall Foliage road trips you can make to check out the golden views and some of our favorite Colorado mountain towns, whether you only have time for a quick day trip, or you are lucky enough to enjoy a relaxing weekend getaway. The best times for viewing the changing leaves... Read More

While the reservoir will remain open throughout construction, there will be some changes and areas that are temporarily closed. The attached graphic outlines the anticipated schedule and impacts. Denver Water strives to provide Boulder and Denver residents with the latest information on how recreational activities will be impacted during the planned expansion of Gross Reservoir this season and beyond.      Read More

Europe has a brilliant mix of vibrant destinations, with mesmerizing views, rich culture and world-class coastlines that make it a great choice for summer vacations. There are so many wonderful destinations to choose from in Europe to suit your interests, from the adventurous types to sun seekers; those wanting the soak up the culture and history, and people looking for energetic nightlife. These are six of the best places for a summer break if you’re planning a getaway to Europe.   Santorini Santorini is one of the most breath-taking locations in the world. Once a volcanic island, it’s... Read More

Hiking is a popular activity around the world. It’s a great way to get exercise while enjoying spectacular views, natural scenery, and observing wildlife. The incredibly beautiful country of New Zealand offers a huge selection of outstanding hiking trails. Before starting out on any hike, always ensure you are prepared. Hiking boots are essential, along with several layers of appropriate clothing and a hat. Take plenty of drinking water, emergency food supplies and a medical kit. Don’t forget that your skin can lose a lot of vital moisture during long hikes, so always bring a good moisturiser... Read More

While I love pulling up in a vehicle to a campsite and unloading right there, there’s something extra rewarding and enjoyable about backcountry camping where you have to park at a trailhead and hike your gear in. If you’ve never gone backpacking or camping in the backcountry, it can seem daunting, so we’ve made a handy guide for getting started! Pack Light While you may think you want that cozy blanket or two hardcover books to read now, once you’ve been carrying them for a few hours you’ll regret it. No matter how far you’re hiking, packing light is very important. Your pack should... Read More

That summer feel is in the air, and many of us are itching to get outside after a long, cold winter. Lucky for us, there are so many wonderful events being hosted in the Boulder area! Here are 6 events you can’t miss this summer: 1. Boulder Plein Art Festival From June 3-June 10, join artists and enthusiasts in paint-outs as they paint beautiful landscapes, cityscapes, and teach workshops. This event is open to the public and you may participate for $35 an event. This fee covers water, sunscreen, and on-site food, but these events are BYOP (bring your own paints). Or attend one of the workshops... Read More

Spring is in the air, and with all the snowmelt beginning to rush down from the mountains, it is peak waterfall season. As the weather gets warmer, the time is now to hit the trails and see some beautiful natural wonders. Lucky for you, there are plenty within an hour or two of Boulder that will make the trip totally worth it. 1. Eldorado Falls For a lovely hike close to home, head to Walker Ranch and the Ethel Harrod Trailhead. Take a nice moderate 1.25-mile hike down about 500 feet through pine forests until you hear the rushing water of the South Boulder Creek hitting the rocks. These cascades... Read More

Spring is in the air, and with warmer weather comes one of my favorite times of year: Farmer’s Market season! If you’ve never shopped at a farmer’s market before, you may not be as excited as I am. Luckily for you, I’m here to tell you why you should be! Get Seasonal The food you buy at farmer’s markets is fresh and local, so the selection changes based on what is ready to harvest. This is a great excuse to try new recipes and eat like our ancestors did. Variation is good for your body and keeps cooking exciting! Support Your Community Farmer’s markets specifically... Read More

We’re teaming up with REEL ROCK Film Tour to give one lucky winner a pair of tickets to Friday’s sold out FEST event at Chautauqua Auditorium! The event will have the best climbing and outdoor films of the year, a REEL ROCK IPA collab brew with Upslope Brewing, food trucks, gear giveaways, athlete appearances and more! Enter to win by emailing us your best climbing, adventure or outdoor photo.  Winner will be announced tomorrow before the event. Please email photo to scott@aboutboulder.com Be sure to check out Saturday’s FEST event with some of the biggest names in climbing! For more... Read More

It will be above freezing all weekend in Boulder, with highs in the upper 50s and full sunshine. It will be lovely and warm. And it is a three day weekend. And it is Valentine’s day. Its the perfect time for outdoor adventure. Looking to earn some points with your main squeeze for thoughtfulness and originality? Take your valentine on a hike this long weekend and make it special with these trips and tips. Snowshoeing Hikes 1. Hessie Trailhead: From the Hessie trailhead you can walk a short ways in to a waterfall or make it a 3 mile round trip to Lost Lake. Snowshoeing can be very tiring... Read More

Ah the Grand Canyon. One of America’s best and most beautiful features. And lucky us Boulderites, it is only a 10 hour drive from here! If you leave at 6 am, you’ll be there in time to find the perfect spot to watch the sunset on the canyon. That’s what I did anyways, a couple weeks ago. And it was rough and also a bit colder there than here, but amazing. It’s a great time of year to go; the crowds are at their lowest according to the Visitor Center rangers. I was still amazed at how many people were there, almost as many as Chautauqua on a sunny, warm afternoon.  But it... Read More

“The most wonderful time of year” right? Shopping malls, crowded parking lots, traffic, long lines, people who have seem to forgotten the joy of the season.  I love this time of year but sometimes Christmas gets too commercial, too much about spending money. Every magazine, blog, and “community” news piece is centered around listing the perfect gift ideas for the countless people in your life. Wouldn’t it be better to actually spend some time doing something with those people? We all have so much stuff. It weighs us down. Why not make a memory rather than make them... Read More