You can find the Green Mountain West Trail up the winding roads of the Boulder County Open Space. This 2.7 mile out-and-back trail gains 627 feet and offers stunning mountain vistas and a vantage point of Boulder below. If the weather is good, get there early or late to find parking on the gravel side of the road. Our ratings: Crowd: 3.5/5. This is a moderately popular trail. Depending on the weather and time of day, you’ll be sharing this trail with a decent group of people. The hike itself typically isn’t very busy, but once you reach the summit you’ll be jockeying for space with most of... Read More

Those in the Boulder County area are truly spoiled not only with the many hiking trails and walking paths throughout the foothills and beautiful green fields east of Boulder, but also with the amount of outdoor activities and sports that are available to us, and for some just 20 minutes from our homes. If you are visiting Boulder for the first time or are a local who wants to try something new, here are a couple of fun outdoor activities to try this summer that might even be near your favorite hiking path. Climbing and Bouldering. With so many great climbing sites including Eldorado Canyon, a mecca... Read More

Whether you are from out-of-town planning a trip to beautiful Boulder County, you have family and friends coming into town, or you are a native, protecting yourself from altitude sickness is a must! Here are five tips to avoid getting sick while enjoying Colorado’s beautiful outdoors. Get Acclimated. If you live at a lower altitude, it is best to avoid strenuous activity the first day or two after you arrive. Your body needs time to get used to the oxygen deficiency that comes with the higher altitude. Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate. Because of Colorado’s arid climate, you are more likely to get... Read More

I love the outdoors. The purity and sanctity of nature is something many of us take for granted, and nothing is more disappointing than seeing trash on the bank of a mountain stream or finding plastic in the underbrush of a backcountry trail. Our planet is in danger, and it’s up to us to do our part and make a difference in protecting it so future generations can enjoy the beauty of untouched nature the way we have been able to. But how to even begin? The internet is flush with examples of people who live a zero-waste lifestyle, who started recycling companies at age 7, who invented tools to... Read More

  It’s time to head out and explore the surrounding parks and trails around Boulder. One of Boulder’s best parks sits a few miles south of the town itself, and boasts beautiful scenery and rich history.   Eldorado Canyon beacons as a mecca for local rock climbers. The state park is renown for its beautiful sandstone walls, pocked with thousands of rock climbing routes. Any serious climbers in Boulder should not pass up a chance to experience the world class routes in Eldorado Canyon.   However, for the more causal adventurer, Eldorado Canyon offers miles of winding trails, easily... Read More

It’s time to start getting back out on the trails. What better to venture into Boulder’s beautiful open spaces than with a furry friend. Boulder Open Spaces and Mountain Parks offers a sprawling 145 miles of trails to the avid hiker, and up to 90% of those trails are open to dogs. This includes the Chautauqua Meadow, Mt. Sanitas, NCAR trails, Bear Canyon, the Table Mesa Trails and much, much, more.   But, before heading into the great outdoors with your pooch, don’t forget to bring a leash and some doggie bags. While the Open Spaces and Mountain Parks welcome dogs, it is your responsibility... Read More

Just 3 miles south of the Entrance to the Great Sand Dunes National Park is an amazing waterfall that is not that well known and often only lightly trafficked. It is called Zapata Falls and while most tourists head there during the summer to escape the high temperatures at the great sand dunes, the real beauty is seeing this waterfall completely frozen.   There is no doubt that most visitors to the Great Sand Dunes see the sign for Zapata Falls on their way into the park, but the rocky entrance road and their (probable) itinerary of getting to the sand dunes likely wards off most visitors. Add... Read More

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

Nestled up Flagstaff Road just a few miles outside Boulder, you will find a collection of three different trails. The longest and one of the most popular is Walker Ranch Loop. Nearly 8 miles long, this moderate trail has a total elevation gain of about 1700′ and is popular among hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers alike. If you find that you want to spend even longer in this beautiful area long after you finish your hike, there are picnic tables located at each of the three area trailheads. Pack up a simple picnic or grab a sandwich on your way out of town and enjoy your lunch in the... Read More

As spring nears and the snow melts (we can hope!), it will soon be time to trade skis for spokes and take to the mountain biking trails. Not sure which trails are worth the trek? Never fear—we’ve compiled five of the best bike trails in the area to get you started. 1. Sunset Trail East, Erie CO For those looking for a gentle start, this 1-mile beginner loop in Erie has high ratings, views of the plains, and nice easy switchbacks for a pleasant afternoon ride. This singletrack trail offers connections to Sunset West, County Road 5, and other trails and roads for those who want to keep on going. 2.... Read More

Flagstaff is one of the those hikes that the locals know and is popular with tourists, so if you haven’t checked out Flagstaff, you must put it on the list as one of the trails to do before summer ends! Like many of Boulder’s hiking trails, Flagstaff offers a variety of options for hikers; unlike some of the other nearby trails, the summit can also be reached by road which I have heard is a popular date night spot for its incredible views of the city, the Continental Divide, Indian Peaks Wilderness, and Rocky Mountain National Park. Also, if you have the time, be sure to check out Flagstaff... Read More

While the saying “it’s about the journey, not the destination” is definitely a good one to take to heart, it’s not always 100% true; especially when the destination is a waterfall. We’ve found five waterfall hikes near Boulder that will really make you excited about the destination. 5. Alberta Falls Located in Rocky Mountain National Park, these falls are some of the easiest to reach at the end of a gently rolling 1.7-mile roundtrip loop. Take the kids for a picnic by these scenic falls, dip your feet in the snowmelt, and snap a selfie with the cascading water in the background. 4. Bridal... Read More

It’s Saturday morning on a holiday weekend and I bet you are wondering the same thing as most of the folks in Boulder. What am I going to do with myself this weekend? Lucky for you I did all of the research for you earlier this week, so if you are up for a bit of an adventure, enjoy beautiful scenery, and are in need of some physical activity, you might consider heading up and over Flagstaff Mountain until you descend upon Gross Reservoir. When coming from Boulder, you will first find yourself at the North side of the reservoir, where you will discover one of the most scenic options for your... Read More

Hotel Luna Mystica Down in New Mexico at the foot of Wheeler peak and right next to the Taos Mesa Brewery Mothership stands a little-known hotel…if you want to call it that.  Hotel Luna Mystica is what they call it and it is an amazing place dotted with restored vintage trailers, campsites, and even trailer hookups if you bring your own. Trailer park? Not quite. At the risk of this place being overrun, let me tell you a little bit about it. The Best Winter Glamping Escape Close to Colorado Hotel Luna Mystica is an experience, to say the least, they have several restored vintage trailers... Read More

Hiking 14ers in Colorado has become popular to say the least.  Often while hiking to a summit I see a family with kids in tow, donning t-shirts, shorts, water bottles, and maybe a few rain jackets spread amongst them.  That is great and really during the summer, without storms in the forecast, that’s about all you need. Many of the 14ers are so heavily trafficked that new easy to access trails have been built and even if you did run into problems the likelihood that someone would be by to help within a matter of minutes is pretty high.  These summer sumits are great but some of us want... Read More

Boulder residents are nothing if not adventurous, and with a slew of jagged peaks, soaring canyons, and other beautiful natural features just begging to be conquered, rock climbing is a popular pastime. We found five great places to get in a killer climb for those adventurous spirits. 1.  Eldorado Canyon Eldorado Canyon, a state park just south of Boulder, offers hundreds of routes up 700-foot cliffs. Climb along south-facing routes in the springtime, and beat the heat in the summer by finding shaded routes. This park can get crowded on weekends, so go early to get your climb on! 2. The Flatirons You’ve... Read More

As mentioned in previous posts, Colorado is a playground for all things outdoors, including water sports. In Boulder County you can not only find lakes for boating, waterskiing, wakeboarding, fishing, paddle-boarding, but also creeks for white-water rafting, and kayaking. With all these options there is also another, a local favorite: tubing in Boulder Creek. Prime times for tubing in Boulder Creek are April through August and one of the most popular places to start is Eben G. Fine Park located off of CO-119 and Arapahoe. The park itself is a great place to enjoy picnicking, a playground for kids... Read More

For those who have lived in the Boulder County area and have been hiking, Chautauqua Park is a well-known destination for weekend hiking or a morning workout. Chautauqua was bought by the Boulder citizens in 1898 to preserve and enjoy the land, and ever since it has been enjoyed by many. If you have just moved to Boulder or are planning a trip to Boulder, Chautauqua is a must for hikers. Though Chautauqua is a “must” for hikers, I would caution those who don’t go hiking often. Chautauqua is a steep climb and not for the faint of heart; though those who do choose to hike the Chautauqua trails... Read More

As the weather gets warmer, the itch to take to the hills gets stronger; but springtime camping comes with its own challenges and unique experiences, so its important to be prepared. We’ve compiled a list of the most important tips to keep in mind when heading out to camp this spring. 1. There Will Be Mud Between snowmelt and April showers, there will most likely be wet and muddy patches you’ll need to contend with. Waterproof footwear, canvas tent footprints, rain tarps, rain jackets, and heavy-duty tent pegs that won’t pull out of the wet ground are a must for keeping yourself dry and comfortable. 2.... Read More

There are few things as inspiring as a bluebird winter day here in Colorado, perfect for getting out and exploring, and that is exactly what I found when I arrived at Caribou Ranch Open Space earlier this week. Rich with history, this area is home to the former route of the Denver, Boulder and Western Railroad that ran from 1904 to 1919 and a place that miners once flocked to for work. You might even spot the DeLonde Barn on your way around the Bluebird Loop trail, which was once home to a recording studio that attracted many of the musical greats including Elton John, Rod Stewart, and Chicago. Caribou... Read More