Flagstaff Mountain

Flagstaff Mountain at a glance

Flagstaff Mountain is the wall of foothill green that rises straight out of west Boulder, and its 6,983-foot summit is one of the easiest big views in town to reach. You can drive to the top on Flagstaff Road, hike up the steep Flagstaff Trail, or grind up on a road bike. Up top you'll find picnic areas, scenic overlooks, a small volunteer-run nature center, and the stone Sunrise Amphitheater. It's Open Space and Mountain Parks land, managed by the City of Boulder, so the usual OSMP rules on parking, dogs, and bikes apply.

Driving up Flagstaff Road

From the west end of Baseline Road, Flagstaff Road switchbacks up the mountain. It's about 3.4 miles to Realization Point, then a right onto Flagstaff Summit Road for the last half mile to the summit parking, picnic areas, and nature center. Flagstaff Summit Road is open seasonally, roughly May 1 through October 30, from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Flagstaff Road has a 30-foot vehicle length limit, so this isn't a drive for large RVs. There's no potable water at the summit, so bring your own.

Parking and permits

Flagstaff Mountain is an OSMP fee area. If your vehicle is registered in Boulder County you park for free, but if it isn't, you need a parking permit: $5 for a daily permit or $25 for an annual one. You can pay at any of the six self-service stations on the mountain (at Gregory Canyon, Panorama Point, Crown Rock, Realization Point, Flagstaff Summit, and Lost Gulch Overlook) or buy a permit online in advance through ParkMobile using zone 24700. Buying ahead doesn't reserve a space, though, and the summit lots are small, so come early on nice weekends.

Hiking the Flagstaff Trail

If you'd rather earn the view, the Flagstaff Trail climbs a steep 2.1-mile path from the base of Flagstaff Road up to the summit, with switchbacks that cross the road several times along the way. It's short but a real workout, and the large boulders scattered along the trail are a favorite with climbers. You can also start from the nearby Gregory Canyon trailhead and link into the web of foothill trails toward Chautauqua and the Flatirons.

Views: Artist Point, Sunrise Amphitheater, and the overlooks

The reason most people come is the view. Short walks from the summit parking lead to overlooks like Artist Point, Plains Overlook, and May's Point, which look east over Boulder and the plains and west toward the Continental Divide. The Sunrise Amphitheater, a stone amphitheater near the summit, is a classic spot for sunrise and can be reserved for events. The Flagstaff Nature Center sits up here too, with exhibits on local wildlife, plants, and geology.

The Flagstaff Nature Center

The Flagstaff Nature Center is a small, free interpretive center on the summit, staffed entirely by OSMP volunteers. It's usually open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from Memorial Day through September, when volunteers are available, so it can occasionally be closed. Inside are hands-on exhibits, animal mounts, and a kids' corner, and volunteers can help you plan a hike on the trails nearby.

Cycling Flagstaff Road

Flagstaff is one of Boulder's iconic road-cycling climbs: short, but punishingly steep, with pitches around 15 percent. It's hosted professional racing, with the USA Pro Challenge finishing a mountaintop stage on Flagstaff (Rory Sutherland took the 2012 stage at the top). If you ride it, note that bikes are allowed on Flagstaff Summit Road and Chapman Drive but not on the hiking trails, and you'll be sharing a narrow, winding road with cars.

Dogs on Flagstaff

Dogs are welcome, but they have to be on a hand-held leash unless they meet the voice and sight control standard and wear a City of Boulder Voice and Sight tag, in which case they can be off leash under your control. Cleaning up after your dog is required by law, and there are waste stations to help. Keep in mind this is black bear and mountain lion country, so keep dogs close.

Best season and time to go

For the drive-up experience, late spring through fall is the window, since Flagstaff Summit Road closes for the winter. The trails stay open year-round, but the access road and Gregory Canyon trailhead can close in ice and snow, so check conditions in the cold months. For the least traffic and the best light, come early in the morning or near sunset on a weekday.

Nearby trails and guides

• Chautauqua Park: the historic park and Flatirons trailhead just below Flagstaff.
• All hikes in Boulder: the full hiking hub, sorted by difficulty.
• Biking in Boulder: road climbs and paths, including Flagstaff Road.

Recommended nearby

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

Flagstaff Mountain FAQ

Sources

Facts on this page are drawn from these authoritative sources:

• City of Boulder OSMP: Flagstaff Summit East Trailhead
• City of Boulder OSMP: Flagstaff Nature Center
• City of Boulder OSMP: Flagstaff Trail
• City of Boulder OSMP: Parking Permits and Fees
• Wikipedia: Flagstaff Mountain (Boulder County, Colorado) — summit elevation and USA Pro Challenge