Length: 3.5 miles Elevation Gain: 285 feet Type: Loop Difficulty: Easy The Flatirons Vista Trail is a relatively flat and very popular trail that follows a loop through a meadow. Explore the most popular stroller friendly trails in Colorado with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Well-maintained flat loop. After visiting these trails countless times with our children and grandchildren, I'm sharing some of our favorite family-friendly trails. In this wetland area, just a few miles north of the University of Colorado campus, it is possible to encounter prairie dogs, mule deer, fox, coyote, rattlesnakes, and raptors. Fountain Creek Regional Trail is approximately 2.5 miles long from Fountain Creek Regional Parks northern boundary at Willow Springs Ponds to its southern boundary at Hanson Nature Park. Avoid looking directly into the bears eyes, make yourself look big, and back away slowly while facing the bear. TOSC is a 501(c)3 organization, tax ID #84-1156471. . The hike climbs up to an overlook of the Continental Divide. Coot Lake (add some distance by going past Boulder Res). For your family adventure, consider childrens ages, athletic ability, and capability to adapt to a higher altitude. From Boulder Canyon in the west to the Stazio Ballfields in the east, people find access points to explore Boulder at their own pace. Children and adults alike can learn about weather, climate, sun-earth connections and more with interactive exhibits. Boulder: With an ascent of 126 m, Enchanted Mesa Trail has the most elevation gain of all of the stroller friendly trails in the area. Work around naps and pick a time of day when the kids are likely to be at their best. Black Forest Section 16 4 mile square loop in the woods. 3. One trail has an elevation climb of 300 feet and the other is flat and follows the western shoreline of Pinewood . Theyre great to look at, and even better to scramble on. Coot Lake (add some distance by going past Boulder Res) At the summit of Table Mesa Drive is an iconic building designed by I.M. Bobolink is the most accessible family friendly hike near Boulder. Thanks for the recommendations, cbrand and Babalax! "Let's Go for a Stroll" - Stroller Friendly Trails "Let'sTake it Easy" - Easy Trails "Let's Heat Things Up! Needless to say, I didn't get to see much. The Button Rock Dam via Sleepy Lion Trail has great views of open space in Button Rock Preserve. This moderate distance hike climbs through Ponderosa Pine forest at the beginning. This is a great place to stop for lunch and admire the Rocky Mountains and their jagged granite cliffs all around. Take the main path out to the turnaround point and then walk the narrower trail back. It's not easy being a trail on the edge of America's most fit community. It's a nice, easy trail that's good for the whole family. There is no award for Parent Who Overcame the Most Obstacles While Hiking With Their Kids. Wait for a day when everyones feeling good and the weather is reasonably pleasant. Yosemite National Park is one of the most popular and beautiful parks in the United States. Bring your camera because these views are stunning. Dont forget to download a Chautauqua map before heading out. South Boulder Creek Trail at Bobolink Trailis a 1.5-mile trail (between Baseline and South Boulder Roads) that runs along South Boulder Creek. The views from atop are spectacular. This canyon is very popular and features plenty more hiking trails to explore. This hike is a great one for the fall, where youll be able to catch lots of fall colors. This extension of the hike around Long Lake (from above) takes you deeper into the majesty of Colorado's Rocky Mountains. NCAR is hard to miss, especially when driving north toward Boulder on Highway 93. Its flat, wide, and great for all ages. To reach Realization Point, drive up Baseline Road and navigate a series of switchbacks and hairpin turns. It is a popular day hike from the city of Longmont. If you're looking for a leisurely stroll around a small lake without much shade, consider the Wonderland Lake Loop trail. When she's not hiking or running on Boulder's trails, Alli is hitting the water with her standup paddleboard. Looking for the best hiking trails in Boulder? Colorado: With an ascent of 1,797 ft, C-470 Trail has the most elevation gain of all of the stroller friendly trails in the area. The parking area is on the right and across the covered bridge. Brainard Lake Recreation Area, Indian Peaks Wilderness. Too stinkin' hot!). Note: Avoid weekends at Eben G. Fine park. The hike around Red Rocks is a short trail that'll leave you wanting to go deeper into the surrounding mountains. According to AllTrails.com, the longest stroller-friendly trail in Boulder is. Trail Information and Pictures provided by NH Family Hikes: http://www.nhfamilyhikes.com/hikes.php?hike=Boulder%20Loop%20Trail. Boulder Recreational Marijuana Dispensaries: UPDATED! Estimated average grade category: gentle (3% or less). Mike is a software engineer and father of three young boys. Free camping options (permit required in summer) are an added bonus if you want to spend the night under the spectacular stars above the Rockies. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Bring or rent a tube yourself, or just enjoy watching the locals splash around in the water. (PS don't go down below if you don't have to this week. When to go: You want to make this easy on yourself, so play it smart. Did your last family hike contain more moans and groans than oohs and ahhs? Its enough to make you hang up your pack and call it quits till theyre 18. The My Open Country name is registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Each of these areas are adjacent to Fountain Creek and connected together by the Fountain Creek Regional Trail, aka Front Range Trail. Perfect for a stroller walk. They've done a great job fixing it up after the flood. Hydration is essential when visiting Colorado or any city at altitude. The Boulder Loop Trail is a scenic hike through a boulder field and out to a ledge viewpoint on the side of the Moat Range. Accessible Parking: (updated 10/2018), Restaurants with a past.. dining options with a history. Don't forget your sturdy shoes, layers, snacks, and plenty of water! The Evergreen Lake and Trail is part of Dedisse Park, which includes places to fish and rent boats. One more morning camp with the kids down in Boulder tomorrow and then I think I'll be staying up here for the rest of the week! Best Camping Knife for Outdoor Adventures, Best 4-Person Tent For Camping [2023 Update], How to Use a Fire Starter: A Simple, Step-by-Step Guide, How to Dispose of Butane Cans (and Other Solvents), Best Hikes in Colorado: 17 Incredible Trails, Types of Backpacks: The Ultimate List of 23 Pack Styles, Info and tips for each of our favorite trails, A selection of easy, family hikes and challenging, all-day adventures. However, this will be a loop hike, so youll see more diverse scenery. For more information on Boulder, check out Sandys second book, 100 Things to Do in Boulder Before You Die. Designated parking for this trail is located at the Main Parking Lot on the north end of Juniper Way #5 - Palmer, Cabin Canyon, Strausenbach, and Central Gardens Trail Loop. Address: 22550 CO-74, Idledale, CO 80453 Parking: There is a large parking lot located at the trailhead. If you can, plan your trip to hike the Eldorado Canyon Trail during the week. Note: trail has an on-street crossing at Nevada and goes under Union and Austin Bluffs. Memorial Park 1 mile loop around Prospect Lake. In addition to the shorter loop (less than 2 miles) and the longer loop (a little more than 3 miles), adventure seekers can connect with the Marshall Mesa network of trails and the Dowdy Draw Trail. Informative signs spaced along the trail share information on the flora, fauna, and human history. The mornings and just before sunset are also the least trafficked times on the trails. Last update on 2023-03-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. Ramsay-Shockey Open Space has two trails near Pinewood Reservoir. Unfortunately, some of Heil Valley Ranch was affected by the Calwood Fire in 2020 and is still closed for restoration. Also come near sunset. This hiking trail starts at the Long Lake trailhead. Bobolink Trail: https://bouldercolorado.gov/osmp/bobolink-trailhead, Mt. There is another equally stunning lookout that usually has a fraction of the crowd. Please note, there are also several street crossings. Stroller Friendly Trails. Sanitas Valley trail https://bouldercolorado.gov/osmp/mount-sanitas-trailhead, Enchanted Mesa and McClintock Nature Trails Loop @ Chautauqua. From the overlook, there is a fine view of Mt. In a meadow setting, these trails offer wonderful views of Boulders majestic Flatirons. The bonus appeal is the visitor center and exhibits that are open to the public (except not right now, thanks COVID.). Parking will be a premium at the Flagstaff Summit, so start early. In this article, we cover top restaurants to try the best Chinese food in Boulder. Outdoor Project may earn commission on products purchased through our links, which supports the work we do for our readers. We love that many of these stroller friendly trail options for families with young children have large parks nearby. He works closely with a study abroad program at a large university in New York City, so he gets a healthy dose of culture at home and gets to travel to amazing places for work. The 6-mile round-trip hike with moderate elevation gain is an accessible way to experience the glory of the Rocky Mountains outside of Boulder. Itll be smooth sailing back to the South Mesa Trailhead, where you started. The view itself includes some minor rock scrambling that the kids will love. The trail can be extended with more options from the lake's north shore (see below). Re: Jogging stroller friendly hikes in Boulder/surrounding area 6 years ago Save Start at the East Boulder Rec Center -> Bobolink->South Boulder Creek Path .. lovely flat-ish trail that goes out to Marshal Rd. Photo by Susan Joy Paul. This trail is estimated to be 51.4 mi long. After living as an international teacher in Bangalore, India, Sandy published an award-winning book, May This Be the Best Year of Your Life, as a resource for people contemplating an expat lifestyle and living outside their comfort zone. PARENT CATEGORY FOR SEGMENT / GUIDES, REVIEWS, NEW RELEASES, DESIGNER INTERVIEWS, OUTFIT GUIDES, SEASONAL GUIDES. According to AllTrails.com, the longest stroller-friendly trail in Colorado is High Line Canal Trail. A popular yet wildlife-filled day hike in the mountains awaits summer visitors to Mitchell Lake + Blue Lake in the Indian Peaks Wilderness. When finished exploring the ledges, return to the trail and continue down the other side of the loop. All rights reserved. Alli Fronzaglia is a hiking guide, naturalist, and community volunteer. The trails near Boulder are heavily trafficked, so lets do our part to preserve the environment for future generations. Moose are a common site in the area, as are marmots and other alpine species. Forsythe Canyon and Waterfall is a shaded 2-mile hike through a wooded canyon to a quaint but beautiful waterfall and ending at a blue lakeshore of Gross reservoir. Workplace Giving. Bear Peak is Boulder's second tallest mountain at 8,461 feet, but its combination of beauty and brutality has made it an ever-popular challenge among locals. If you have only a few days in Boulder, it can be challenging to select the best trails from the long list of options. It's quieter than other nearby trails, but sadly, dogs are not permitted. (If you look closely, you can see the climbers in our photo.). Good boots or hiking shoes are recommended. Number of designated accessible spaces: 2 at the trailhead; , 5.3 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail transitions between pavement and dirt. It joins up with the Mesa Trail and others if you want to extend your adventure. There is one short but steep climb up to the rocks. Our contributors do their best to give you all the details they can, but if something is missed, you can reach out to the contributor and offer suggestions for them to add to make it a better trail description for all. This short, paved, family-friendly path has great views of rock formations such as White Rock and Kissing Camels. more. The trail mostly follows a wide gravel path and is stroller-friendly. Watch for moose at the start of the trail, and also note that due to the popularity of trails leaving from the trailhead, parking can fill up fast. This trail is also an ideal section to warm up or cool down at the beginning or end of a longer hike or trail run. However, there is a shuttle you can take from town to avoid having to wait for a parking spot at this state park. (detour to the pond is not paved). The first half mile of NCAR is an accessible nature trail with excellent views of Bear Peak and the surrounding foothills. 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