Falcons Deep South the Big Easy

What are the best hikes for kids near Denver, Colorado? If you have a young family like us, it can be challenging to find great hiking trails for both you and your kids. You need hiking trails that are easy, not too long, but offer opportunities for your kids to play and explore the beauty of Colorado. If you are taking a vacation to Colorado and looking for activities to do with your kids, this set of trails will be perfect. Be sure to download our Free Hiking Guide to help you prepare and pack smart for your dayhikes.

As I put this set of trail profiles together, I used the following criteria.

Clear Creek Trail in Downtown Golden

Distance: 1.8 miles Round Trip
Drive Time from Denver: 30 Minutes
Difficulty: Easy
The Clear Creek Trail in Golden, Colorado is one kid-friendly hike! It has shade, the kids bike through it, and you can end the hike with a walk through downtown. When you have your kiddos with you, mornings can be hard to pass through the foothills and into the mountains but this one is easy to manage. It might not technically be called a "hike" though since it runs through the Golden commercial area.

Lookout Mountain Hiking Trails

Distance: .6 & .8 Mile Loops
Drive Time from Denver: 30 Minutes
Difficulty: Easy
These hiking trails from Lookout Mountain Nature Center may be the perfect trails for families. These are ideal if you've just gotten started hiking with your kids near Denver, Colorado. The Nature Center at Lookout Mountain is itself very awesome and you are guaranteed a good experience. If you want to see wildlife but need to say near to Denver, then this is the a great trail. Take a picnic lunch, just watch out for the squirrels; they'll run of with your dessert if you don't watch them closely.

Bear Creek Trail at Lair o' the Bear Park

Distance: 1.7 miles Round Trip
Drive Time from Denver: 30 Minutes
Difficulty: Easy
This is probably our favorite family hike near Denver because of the variety. It has open and shady areas along the trail, great picnic areas, and Bear Creek. Just keep an eye out for mountain bikes flying by on the wider trails. At Lair o' the Bear Park you'll find great hike options with the cool waters of Bear Creek nearby, open and shaded parts, and a great parking.

Mount Falcon – Castle & Tower Hike

Distance: 2.3-mile Loop
Drive Time from Denver: 40 Minutes
Difficulty: Easy
How cool are castle ruins! This one also works if you are taking a stroller. There is also a fire tower at Mt. Falcon that gives you incredible views of Denver, of the Red Rocks, and of the mountains. These are just some of the highlights of the Mount Falcon Trail. The trailhead is located in on the foothills just about a 40-minute from Denver.

Evergreen Lake Trail

Distance: 1.3-mile Loop
Drive Time from Denver: 40 Minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Ever Green Trail is just a fun place for your kids to play in and explore. There are places to fish and rent boats as well. Bring a picnic and make a day of it in Evergreen. This Colorado hike or stroll is a relaxing way to spend your Saturday mornings. During winter, the Evergreen Lake transforms into an ice skating wonderland so you better be prepared for that and include that in your itinerary.

Raccoon Loop Hike in Golden Gate Canyon State Park

Distance: 2.5-mile Loop
Drive Time from Denver: 1 Hour
Difficulty: Easy
The kids love this 2.5-mile loop Raccoon Loop Hike in Golden Gate Canyon State Park! The panoramic views of the snowcapped peaks are just spectacular from the Panorama Point viewing area. There are a lot of aspen meadows, shade, wildflowers and trickling brooks along this trail. The drive from Golden to the park may be curvy so just watch out for cyclists.

Pine Valley Ranch Park Hike

Distance: 1.2 to 3.2 miles Round Trip
Drive Time from Denver: 1 Hour
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Pine Valley Ranch Park has become one of the best family-favorite parks near Denver. There are a lot of options to pick from the several hikes here. The park has it all: a beautiful lake, a rich history, a small island with a gazebo, and perhaps the best picnic area on the Front Range of Colorado.

4 Great Stroller Hikes Near Denver

Our children are not big enough to hike long distances yet. So, we usually we put the kiddos in child carrier backpacks. When we can though, we try to break out the Bob Stroller and hit a local trail. Here are 4 trails close to Denver that work great with a stroller. Criteria for these Denver Area Stroller Hikes

Bridal Veil Falls in Idaho Springs

Bridal Veil Falls is best viewed from Water Wheel Park, a short and easy walk from the downtown of Idaho Springs, Colorado. The legacy of steam locomotives and gold mining make this a historic hike in an historic Colorado town. Explore the full Bridal Veil Falls hike profile below for trail map, driving directions, and many of the details you ...
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Crags Hike Near Colorado Springs

The Crags Trail takes hikers up a 2-mile gradual hike to the the dramatic granite pinnacles on the shoulders of Pikes Peak to take in views of snowcapped peaks. A shaded creekside hike great for families and out-of-town guests, the Crags shows off summer wildflowers in mountain meadows. Explore the full Crags hike profile below for trail map, driving directions, ...
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Daniel's Park Hikes

Best sunsets in Denver! You can see mountains upon mountains of Colorado's Front Range. Take a picnic dinner and pull off at one of the many picnic areas along Daniels Park Road. There are several hiking options detailed below for Daniel's park. To get all the details, scroll down and explore the trail snapshot, profile, and tips below. Trail Snapshot: ...
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Echo Lake Trail Near Mt. Evans

Colorado's Echo Lake is looped by an easy hiking trail and serves as a trailhead to even more classic Colorado hikes. When we have friends and family visiting Colorado from out of town, this is one of best destinations for a great views. Go early to Echo Lake to get perfect photos of Mount Evans reflected in the water. Explore ...
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Elk Meadow Park – South Loop

Elk Meadow Park is a great place to hike with your family, if you have little ones, or if you just want to talk with a friend as you hike and take in great views of Colorado. It is important to know that the adjacent off-leash dog park has been closed. Get all the info you need to hike Elk ...
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Enchanted Mesa Trail Near Boulder, Colorado

Boulder's Chautauqua park boasts some of the best hiking in Colorado, especially if you are looking for accessibility--many of the trailheads are right in town. The Enchanted Mesa trail lives up to its name. The dense pine forest and the wide curving path looks like something out of a fairy tale. It's a fairly easy hike, with a surprising amount ...
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Fallen Timbers Loop Hike at Fox Run Park

The Fallen Timbers Loop is an easy, 2-mile hike near Colorado Springs with great views of Pikes Peak. It makes for a great family hike because of the shade of the ponderosa pines and the nearby playground at this hike in Fox Run Regional Park. Explore the full hike profile for trail map, driving directions, and tips. Trail Snapshot: Fallen ...
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Fountain Valley Trail at Roxborough State Park

The Fountain Valley trail in Colorado's Roxborough State Park is the Garden of the God's of Denver. It's more secluded than Red Rocks park, and features several trails that take you beyond the park boundaries and into the foothills. The Fountain Valley Trail is a perfect place to start because it features the best part of the park, it's towering ...
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Garden of the Gods Ultimate Hiking Guide

Garden of the Gods is argueabley the best place to hike in Colorado Springs. Designated a National Natural Landmark, the park is known for its towering red sandstone formations and panoramic views of Pikes Peak. Hiking, Horseback riding, mountain biking, birding, and climbing are among the activities that can be enjoyed here. This guide to the Garden of the Gods ...
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Georgetown Railroad Hike & Train Ride

After the hike, I asked our 7 year-old daughter what she thought of it. Her reply said it all, "Dad, it was awesome!" Here favorite parts were the fairy pond, a small, moss-rimmed pool probably created by miners long ago to hold drinking water, and the gleaming minerals in the rocks she picked up along the trail. I enjoyed the ...
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Hiking Davis Ponds Hike at Staunton State Park

The Davis Ponds loop is a short and easy hike, perfect for young families. Davis Ponds is a great place to take your kids fishing near Denver. Explore the full trail profile below for all the details: hiking trails, trail map, and detailed directions to the trailhead. Staunton State Park is one of Colorado's newest gems and located just 45 ...
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Incline at Castle Rock

The Incline at Castle Rock is a 0.6 mile loop that begins with a 200 step climb up the Challenge Hill to the top of a promontory. From the top, a trail winds down the side of the mesa for 1/2 a mile back to the bottom. It makes for a great workout in the outdoors, and is about 30 ...
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Manitou Lake Hike Near Colorado Springs

Manitou Lake near Colorado Springs offers a pleasant and easy loop trail around its shores with views of Pikes Peak. It's also a great spot fishing and paddling on the 5-acres of water. There are nearby camping options detailed below. Explore the full Manitou Lake hike profile below for trail map, driving directions, campground info and more. Trail Snapshot: Manitou ...
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Monarch Lake Loop Hike

The Monarch Lake Loop is a perfect family hike that leads 4 miles through shaded forest, across creeks, and along the shore of the lake. It's one of the more diverse, but easy, hikes in the area. Monarch Lake is a popular destination for canoeing, kayaking, and access to the Indian Peaks Wilderness area. Explore the full Monarch Lake Loop ...
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Red Rock Canyon Hikes

Red Rock Canyon Open Space features miles of easy hiking trails just a few miles west of Colorado Springs with views of Pikes Peak to the West and Garden of the Gods to the North. The park has two off-leash dog trails and most other trails are accessible to and shared by hikers, trail runners, and mountain bikers. Check out ...
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Shanahan Ridge Hike Near Boulder

The Shanahan Ridge Loop Hike is an easy, 4-mile lollipop-loop trail with stunning views of the Shanahan Ridge of the Flatirons in Boulder, Colorado. Explore the full Shanahan Ridge Loop hike profile below for trail map, driving directions, and more tips and details to help you enjoy this hike in Boulder. Trail Snapshot: Shanahan Ridge Loop Trail in Boulder, Colorado ...
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South Valley Park Trails

The trails of South Valley Park are perfect for an after work hike or run in South Denver. The expansive valley near the neighborhood of Ken Caryl is enclosed on its eastern side by the exposed red rock formations of the hogback and the green foothills to the west. Views to the south are incredible, making South Valley Park especially ...
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Source: https://dayhikesneardenver.com/best-hikes-with-kids-near-denver-colorado/