South Boulder · The high summits

Bear Peak

Bear Peak is an 8,461-foot summit in Boulder's Open Space and Mountain Parks, reached by steep, strenuous trails like Fern Canyon and the West Ridge, with big 360-degree views and no entrance fee.

Outdoor Boulder › Destinations › Bear Peak

Bear Peak quick facts

Distance: Depends on the route. Roughly 4.7 miles round trip for the direct Cragmoor and Fern Canyon out-and-back, about 8.1 miles for the classic NCAR loop, and around 9 miles for the Green Mountain and West Ridge approach.
Elevation gain: Most approaches climb about 2,800 to 3,000 feet; the West Ridge route gains a bit less, around 2,100 feet. Fern Canyon alone is an unrelenting 1,700-foot climb to the summit.
Summit elevation: 8,461 feet, Boulder's second-tallest summit after South Boulder Peak (8,549 feet).
Difficulty: Hard, strenuous. OSMP calls Fern Canyon arguably the most strenuous trail in its system, with a very steep final third and a short rock scramble to the summit marker.
Dogs: Allowed, but rules vary by trail segment. Some OSMP trails here are in the Voice and Sight program (off-leash with a valid green tag and real control); others, including the Bear Peak West Ridge, require a leash. Check the posted signs and the OSMP dog map before you go.
Fee: Free. OSMP charges no entrance or trailhead fee. Parking is free at the NCAR, Cragmoor, and South Mesa trailheads; Chautauqua has seasonal paid parking and a free summer shuttle.
Trailheads: Cragmoor (shortest, via Fern Canyon), NCAR (the classic loop), South Mesa and the Mesa Trail (for the Shadow Canyon approach), and the Green Mountain West Ridge trailhead on Flagstaff Road.
Best season: Late spring through fall for dry rock and long days. Fern Canyon gets icy October through March, so carry traction. In summer, start early to be off the exposed summit before afternoon storms build.

Bear Peak at a glance

Bear Peak is the pointed middle summit of the three high peaks that stand over Boulder's skyline, between Green Mountain and South Boulder Peak. At 8,461 feet it's the city's second-tallest summit, and every way up it is a genuine climb. This isn't a foothill stroll like Chautauqua's lower loops. It's a lung-burner with a rock scramble at the top, and it's one of the most loved and most feared local challenges in Boulder. Get to the summit and you're rewarded with a full 360-degree sweep of the plains, the foothills, and the snowcapped Continental Divide.

Routes up Bear Peak

There's no single Bear Peak trail; there are several approaches, and which one you pick sets how long and how brutal the day is. Distances below come from a local trail guide, since OSMP doesn't publish official route mileage.

Cragmoor and Fern Canyon (about 4.7 miles round trip): the shortest, most direct way to the top. Strenuous but quick, with almost no climbing on the way back. The steep descent down Fern is rough on knees and ankles.
NCAR loop, the classic (about 8.1 miles): up the Mesa Trail and Fern Canyon, down Bear Canyon. The full experience, with a creekside descent, and the route most people mean when they say they hiked Bear Peak.
Mesa Trail and Shadow Canyon: a longer, shadier line from the south (South Mesa or Chautauqua). Shadow Canyon is steep and rocky but cooler on a hot day.
Green Mountain and West Ridge (about 9 miles): the offbeat approach from Flagstaff Road, gaining a bit less overall (around 2,100 feet) and passing through a 2012 burn zone and a summit scree field. You can tack on Green Mountain for an even bigger day.

Fern Canyon: the steep, direct climb

Fern Canyon is the heart of most Bear Peak days, and OSMP calls it arguably the most strenuous trail in its system. It climbs gently at first, then turns west into an unrelenting 1,700-foot grind to the summit. The first two-thirds is moderately steep with a few switchbacks; after the saddle, a lovely clearing, the switchbacks vanish and the final third rears up to a punishing grade for a short, memorable stretch. It's well shaded, which helps in summer, but it gets icy October through March, so carry spikes or other traction in the cold months.

Difficulty and elevation gain

Rate Bear Peak hard, whichever way you go. Most approaches gain roughly 2,800 to 3,000 feet, and the summit itself finishes with a short, light rock scramble to the marker. This is a half-day outing for a fit hiker and a full commitment for anyone newer to steep terrain. Bring more water than you think you need, real footwear, and layers: the summit is windy and exposed, and it can be much colder up top than at the trailhead.

Trailheads and parking

The main starting points are Cragmoor (the shortest line via Fern Canyon), NCAR (the classic loop), South Mesa and the Mesa Trail (for Shadow Canyon), and the Green Mountain West Ridge trailhead up Flagstaff Road. Parking is free at the NCAR, Cragmoor, and South Mesa trailheads, and the lots fill on summer weekends, so come early. If you'd rather start from Chautauqua, note it has seasonal paid parking and a free summer shuttle.

Dogs on Bear Peak

Dogs are welcome on Bear Peak, but the rules shift from trail to trail. Parts of the OSMP network here are in the Voice and Sight program, where a dog can be off leash if you carry a valid green tag and keep it genuinely under control. Other segments, including the Bear Peak West Ridge, require a leash. Watch for the dog-regulation signs at trailheads and junctions, and check the OSMP dog map before you commit, since the rules can change by season and by section.

Best season and time to go

Late spring through fall is prime, when the rock is dry and the days are long. In summer, start early: the summit is exposed, and Colorado's afternoon thunderstorms are no place to be caught on a high ridge. Fall brings cool air and gold foliage in the canyons. In winter, the peak is still doable but Fern Canyon ices up, so save it for a day when you're carrying traction and have the daylight.

Nearby trails and guides

All hikes in Boulder: the full hiking hub, sorted by difficulty.
NCAR and the Mesa Trail: the gentler trail network at the base, and the classic starting point for Bear Peak.
Royal Arch Trail: a shorter, steep Chautauqua classic if Bear Peak is more than you want today.
Mount Sanitas: another tough local climb, quicker but just as steep.

Recommended nearby

A few local spots we'd point a Bear Peak day toward.

Gear shop

[CLIENT SLOT: featured outdoor gear shop near South Boulder]

[One honest line: traction, trekking poles, and water for a big summit day.]

Cafe

[CLIENT SLOT: featured cafe near NCAR or Table Mesa]

[One honest line: coffee and calories before or after the climb.]

Brewery

[CLIENT SLOT: featured brewery or taproom in South Boulder]

[One honest line: where to celebrate the summit afterward.]

Bear Peak FAQ

How long is the Bear Peak hike?

It depends on the route. The shortest is the direct Cragmoor and Fern Canyon out-and-back at roughly 4.7 miles round trip. The classic NCAR loop, up Fern Canyon and down Bear Canyon, runs about 8.1 miles. The Green Mountain and West Ridge approach is around 9 miles. Every route is a real climb, not a stroll.

How hard is the Bear Peak trail?

Hard. OSMP describes Fern Canyon, the most direct line to the summit, as arguably the most strenuous trail in its system, an unrelenting 1,700-foot climb with a punishingly steep final third. Most approaches gain about 2,800 to 3,000 feet overall, and the summit finishes with a short rock scramble. Bring plenty of water and give yourself time.

How tall is Bear Peak?

Bear Peak tops out at 8,461 feet, which makes it Boulder's second-tallest summit, just behind neighboring South Boulder Peak at 8,549 feet. From the top you get 360-degree views of the plains, the foothills, and the Continental Divide.

Are dogs allowed on Bear Peak?

Yes, but the rules change from trail to trail. Some OSMP trails in this area are in the Voice and Sight program, where a dog can be off leash if you carry a valid green tag and keep the dog under control. Others, including the Bear Peak West Ridge, require a leash. Watch for the dog-regulation signs at trailheads and junctions, and check the OSMP dog map before you head up.

Do you need a permit or pay a fee to hike Bear Peak?

No. Bear Peak sits on City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks land, which charges no entrance or trailhead fee. Parking is free at the NCAR, Cragmoor, and South Mesa trailheads. Chautauqua, another popular starting point, has seasonal paid parking and a free summer shuttle, so plan for that if you start there.

Sources

Facts on this page are drawn from these sources: