FunColoradoHikes Blog

State Parks Hat

Whether visiting Colorado for the first time or living here year-round, the hikes near Denver never get old! Visit a new trail or hike an old favorite. One of our favorites in Golden Gate Canyon Sate Park is Raccoon Trail (through trees and some meadow; 2.5 mile loop with views from Panorama Point; easy enough for the kids).  The park also offers really good camping for families – I prefer Aspen Meadow campsite area because it is less crowded and is tents-only .

For more info about Golden Gate Canyon State Park click the park’s link below.

GOLDEN GATE CANYON STATE PARK

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One nice hike with good views from the top of the canyon is Rim Rock Trail. This hike is in Castlewood Canyon State Park (south of Parker). Rim Rock trail is accessible from both the west and east entrances.

Visit all of Colorado’s state parks this summer and enjoy some fantastic hiking! Great for family hikes near Denver. We like to hike Barr Lake State Park, Golden Gate Canyon State Park and Castlewood Canyon State Park best of all. These are close to Denver and are great for the kids! Buy a parks pass here.

Castlewood Canyon Views From the Top

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Colorado's Fourteeners

Colorado’s 14ers, 2nd Ed.: From Hikes to Climbs

We own these three books and really like the hiking information they present.

Colorado’s Fourteeners – From Hikes to Climbs (great for experienced fourteener climbers as well as beginners).

Best Hikes Book

The Best Hikes of Colorado – An Altitude Super Guide (excellent for the weekend hiker and those hiking with family including small children).

Colorado's National Parks and Monuments Book

The Family Guide to Colorado’s National Parks and Monuments (excellent source for families with small children – includes great info on hiking, camping, and vacation hot spots).

Posted by funhikes under Colorado Hiking Books,Family Hiking Tips,Hikes,Product Reviews
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Fun Colorado Hikes Website has a list of lot of hiking trails that are great for anyone! As time goes on and we discover more good trails, we frequently list them here in the blog before they appear on the main site. So check back here for new hikes, and please, leave a comment or a hike recommendation. Hidden within the blog are: Mt. Falcon Park, Burning Bear Creek Trail west entry, Hell’s Hole Trail, Herman Gulch Trail . . .

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July 4th weekend we made it up Chief Mountain once again. This trail never gets old. Spectacular views never go out of style and the trip is always a different experience.

This time, we took another family with us to show them some of the mountain beauty 40 minutes outside Denver. Sharing a hike day with friends is a great way to connect. Our crew had 5 kids altogether and they did great! Feels good to have them all get some good exercise and they really go for those tiny candy bars in our picnic lunch (you know, the ones you see every Halloween) . Love those treats for the trail!

Photo: Old Squaw Pass Road Elk Meadow Barn

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Hiking with a child with diabetes can be a challenge. But we discovered that as long as we have all the right supplies, and plenty of them with us on the trail, we all have a great time and the challenge becomes small. After a year and a half of living with Type 1 diabetes, we have discovered a great place to buy these great sport bracelets for our 7-year old. He doesn’t like the metal bracelets and so, like Lance Armstrong, he wears the little plastic ones. His favorite color scheme is  camoflauge – see a all their color samples here.

Posted by funhikes under Family Hiking Tips,Hiking with Diabetic Children,Product Reviews
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We have hiked in snow and rain with our kids.  It is invigorating and fun for the family. Just be prepared with the right gear. Like a hood for your baby backpack. And water repellent jackets, water resisitent hiking boots and possibly gloves (depending on how early in the season it is.)

 Enjoy Colorado’s trails in spring weather and make it a fun family hike day. Don’t forget the camera.

(If you are not an experienced back country hiker, it’s not a good idea to do high elevation hikes due to unpredictable snowy spring weather).

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(photo: family on top of Chief Mountain)

Having family or friends visit this summer? Do you want to show them some of Colorado’s famous beauty? These are the best hikes for the occasion – we know from experience. They offer great views, easy or moderate hiking, and a fun day out in the mountains!

Chief Mountain (1 hour hike to top – uphill)

Rosalie/Mt. Bierstadt (scenic 1 hour drive from Denver – Rosalie is short and sweet)

Alderfer Three Sisters (really good hike for elderly hikers and young children)

See the main Fun Colorado Hikes website for more great hikes!

(photo: Alderfer Three Sisters hike in autumn)

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There are so many hiking trails on the map and you wonder, “Which one is good for me and my family; especially the kids?”

Fun Colorado Hikes offers many such hikes that have been tested with small children and deemed as some of the best trails on the Front Range! 

Also check the other posts in this blog for easy day hikes 30 minutes from Denver and others that are deeper in the mountains 60 minutes from Denver. They are really fun hikes for kids and the whole family!
Plan ahead: three or four days in advance of your hike day, tell your family which hike you plan on going to. The anticipation of the event is half the fun. Explain where you will go and what you might see. Get the imaginations going! And don’t forget to plan a treat after the hike (pizza or icecream stop on the way home is a great way to end the day).

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Tired of being inside and not getting exercise? Well, get up and get out the door.  There are plenty of lowland hikes where there is melted snow revealing the trails.  We got out this past weekend (February 2nd) and got the whole family out on a hike! That’s our earliest hike ever! We usually wait until spring, but this year we are just itching to go.

 If you go during the winter, you will need to dress like you are expecting a blizzard.  Get the kids in their snow boots (expect mud and snow on the trail), coats, hats, mittens, snacks and water. Pick a hike that is not too long and where you are sure you will find your way back to your car quickly (especially if you are taking the kids).

As every Coloradan knows, the weather can change in an instant and you don’t want to get stuck without being prepared. Be smart. Winter hikes are dangerous if you don’t take into consideration the weather, your gear, and the area.

Have a nice hike! Our winter hike was Glendale Farm Open Space (photo at right is trail in summer). The top photo is Lair O’ The Bear.

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