Boulder, Colorado

Get outside in Boulder, minus the guesswork.

Straight answers on Boulder's trails, lakes, and canyons: how long, how hard, where to park, and whether you can bring the dog. Written by people who actually get outside here.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

Explore destinations

Things to do outside in Boulder

Boulder is more than its trails. Hike, climb, swim, paddle, camp, or ride: start with what you feel like doing.

Hiking Every Boulder trail, sorted by difficulty. Rock climbing Eldorado, the Flatirons, and where to start. Swimming & paddling Where to swim, paddle, and get on the water. Camping Campgrounds in and around Boulder. Biking Paths, singletrack, and road climbs.

Popular destinations

Named places, each with the facts you need first: how to get there, where to park, what you can do, and whether you can bring the dog.

Chautauqua Park Boulder's front porch to the Flatirons: meadow, trailheads, and the classic hikes. Eldorado Canyon World-class rock climbing, a wild creek, and hiking in a state park canyon. Mount Sanitas Steep, quick, iconic west-Boulder loop. Boulder Reservoir Swim, paddle, and easy shoreline walking. Royal Arch Trail A classic climb to a natural rock arch. NCAR & the Mesa Trail Big Flatirons views from the mesa, and the long trail along their base. Boulder Falls A short roadside walk to a waterfall (currently closed). Walker Ranch A rugged loop in the foothills above town. Betasso Preserve Fast, flowy singletrack loops popular with bikers and trail runners. Boulder Creek Path The paved artery through town: walk, bike, or tube the creek. Gross Reservoir A quiet mountain reservoir southwest of town for paddling and fishing. Nederland The mountain town gateway to Indian Peaks and alpine lakes. Brainard Lake Alpine lakes beneath the Indian Peaks, an hour up the canyon.

Every destination we cover

Fifty-five places, from a ten-minute walk in town to an all-day climb over the Continental Divide.

Popular guides

Not sure where to start? These hand-picked shortlists sort Boulder's trails by what you're after.

Plan your visit

Boulder sits at about 5,430 feet, and the trails climb from there, so the air is thin and the weather turns fast. Bring more water than you think, layers for afternoon storms, and check trail conditions before you go.

Before you go: trailhead parking, hiking with dogs, Boulder's elevation, afternoon storms, what to bring, wildlife safety, when to visit, what "moderate" really means, trail etiquette, and going car-free.

Permits, fees and reservations, which trip up more visitors than anything else: OSMP parking permits, Chautauqua parking & the free shuttle, Eldorado Canyon reservations, and Indian Peaks permits & Brainard timed entry.

About this guide

Outdoor Boulder is a local guide to getting outside in and around Boulder, Colorado. We keep the trail facts current and tell you what we'd actually recommend nearby.

Last checked July 25, 2026. We verify trail facts against the managing agency, and we say so when a figure isn't published.