Fern Canyon
Fern Canyon is a steep, rocky, strenuous trail in Boulder's Open Space and Mountain Parks that climbs roughly 1,700 feet to the summit of Bear Peak at 8,461 feet, most often reached by way of the Mesa Trail from NCAR or Cragmoor.
Outdoor Boulder › Destinations › Fern Canyon
Fern Canyon quick facts
- Distance
- The Fern Canyon Trail segment itself is short but relentless. A full Bear Peak outing runs several miles round trip depending on your approach, since you reach Fern Canyon by way of the Mesa Trail. The City of Boulder does not publish an official round-trip distance for this route.
- Elevation gain
- Roughly 1,700 feet on the Fern Canyon Trail alone, an unrelenting climb to the summit of Bear Peak at 8,461 feet (City of Boulder OSMP).
- Difficulty
- Strenuous. This is one of the steepest, rockiest standard routes in OSMP, with sustained climbing and loose rock near the top.
- Access
- Reached by way of the Mesa Trail, most often from the NCAR trailhead or the Cragmoor access point on the south side. There is no trailhead named Fern Canyon; you connect to it from the Mesa Trail.
- Dogs
- Dogs are allowed. Under OSMP rules they must be on a hand-held leash unless they meet the voice and sight control standard and display a City of Boulder Voice and Sight tag. Some connecting trails, including the Bear Peak West Ridge, require leash.
- Best season
- Late spring through fall for dry rock and long daylight. OSMP advises carrying traction spikes October through March, when the shaded canyon gets icy.
Fern Canyon at a glance
Fern Canyon is the direct, steep way up Bear Peak. Where other routes wind and switchback, Fern Canyon just climbs, gaining about 1,700 feet on its way to the 8,461-foot summit, which the City of Boulder calls an unrelenting climb. It's well shaded and beautiful, with diverse terrain and big views across the plains and foothills, but nobody would call it easy. If you want one of the steepest, most honest climbs in OSMP, this is it.
How steep and strenuous is it, really?
Strenuous, and it earns the word. The Fern Canyon Trail packs roughly 1,700 feet of gain into a short distance, so the grade stays steep almost the whole way, and the footing turns rocky and loose near the top. This is a trail for hikers who are comfortable with sustained climbing and scrambly, uneven ground. Take your time, bring more water than you think you need, and treat the descent with respect, since loose rock on a steep grade is hard on knees and ankles.
How to get there and where it connects
There's no trailhead named Fern Canyon. You reach the Fern Canyon Trail along the Mesa Trail, most often starting from the NCAR trailhead or from the Cragmoor access point on the south side of the trail network. From the Mesa Trail you turn onto Fern Canyon and begin the climb. Because it shares the summit with other routes, a common plan is to go up Fern Canyon and come down a gentler line like Bear Canyon or the Bear Peak West Ridge, which turns the day into a loop instead of a steep out-and-back.
Storms and starting early
Bear Peak's summit is a high, exposed point, and Colorado's Front Range builds afternoon thunderstorms through the summer. That combination is why the single most important thing you can do is start early. Aim to be off the top and heading down by early afternoon, watch the sky, and turn around if storms are building, no summit is worth a lightning risk. Read our thunderstorm safety guide before you head up.
Dogs on Fern Canyon
Dogs are allowed. Under OSMP rules they must be on a hand-held leash unless they meet the voice and sight control standard and display a City of Boulder Voice and Sight tag. This is a steep, rocky trail, so bring a fit dog, plenty of water, and be honest about whether the terrain suits your dog. Note that some connecting trails, including the Bear Peak West Ridge, require dogs to be leashed.
Best season and conditions
Late spring through fall gives you dry rock and the long daylight a big climb needs. The canyon is shaded, which is a gift on a hot day but also means it holds ice: the City of Boulder recommends carrying traction spikes from October through March, when the trail can get icy. Whatever the season, this is a strenuous outing, so check the forecast, pack layers, and give yourself plenty of time.
Nearby trails and guides
- Bear Peak: the summit this trail climbs to, with all the routes to the top.
- NCAR and the Mesa Trail: the usual starting point and connector for Fern Canyon.
- Thunderstorm safety: why you start early on any Boulder summit.
- All hikes in Boulder: the full hiking hub, sorted by difficulty.
Recommended nearby
A few local spots we'd point a Bear Peak day toward.
[CLIENT SLOT: featured gear shop near south Boulder]
[One honest line: traction spikes, trekking poles, and layers for a Bear Peak day.]
[CLIENT SLOT: featured cafe near the Table Mesa trailheads]
[One honest line: coffee and calories before or after the climb.]
[CLIENT SLOT: featured hiking guide or fitness clinic]
[One honest line: training or a guided ascent for a first big summit.]
Fern Canyon FAQ
How hard is the Fern Canyon Trail?
It's strenuous, and honestly one of the steepest standard routes in Boulder's Open Space and Mountain Parks. OSMP describes it as an unrelenting climb of about 1,700 feet to the summit of Bear Peak, with rocky, loose footing near the top. It's a short trail for the elevation it gains, which is exactly why it feels so steep. Come with fitness, water, and no rush.
How do you get to the Fern Canyon Trail?
There's no trailhead called Fern Canyon. You reach it along the Mesa Trail, usually starting from the NCAR trailhead or from the Cragmoor access point in south Boulder. From the Mesa Trail you turn onto Fern Canyon and begin the steep push toward Bear Peak.
Where does the Fern Canyon Trail lead?
Straight up to the summit of Bear Peak, Boulder's second tallest peak at 8,461 feet, per OSMP. From the top you get sweeping views across the plains, the foothills, and the Continental Divide. Many hikers climb Fern Canyon and descend a gentler route like Bear Canyon or the Bear Peak West Ridge to make a loop.
When should I start to avoid thunderstorms on Bear Peak?
Start early. Colorado's Front Range builds afternoon thunderstorms through the summer, and Bear Peak's summit is an exposed, high point you do not want to be on when lightning moves in. Plan to be off the top and heading down by early afternoon, and turn around if storms build. See our thunderstorm safety guide before you go.
Are dogs allowed on the Fern Canyon Trail?
Yes. Under OSMP rules, dogs must be on a hand-held leash unless they meet the voice and sight control standard and display a City of Boulder Voice and Sight tag. It's a steep, rocky trail, so a fit dog and plenty of water matter here. Note that some connecting trails, like the Bear Peak West Ridge, require dogs to be leashed.
Sources
Facts on this page are drawn from these authoritative sources: