3 Best Hiking Trails in Denver, CO

Here’s The Deal:
Bluff Lake Nature Center is a unique urban natural area dedicated to educating and inspiring people of all ages to respect, protect, and connect to the natural world. This park is owned and managed by a nonprofit, ensuring the site is well restored and maintained and provides abundant educational opportunities and ways for people to explore nature. The park is free to visit and is open to the public from sunrise to sunset 365 days a year. Bluff Lake contains three different habitats, including riparian, wetland, prairie, and hundreds of animal species, including over 220 bird species. Over 8,000 school kids come to Bluff Lake each year for field trips, and thousands of families participate in their summer camps, family days, and events. The main loop trail around Bluff Lake is 1 mile long and is accessible for strollers and wheelchairs. Five nature play areas offer families a chance to go “off-trail” and engage with the natural elements along the trail.

UNIQUE FACTS:
• Memorable Experience
• Picnic Tables Available
• Well Maintained Paths.

Here’s The Deal:
Sanderson Gulch is located in Denver, CO. The trail runs nearly 5 miles, providing a natural oasis in the middle of a major city. The trail's total length is 3.1 miles, with an elevation gain of 13 feet. This is a point-to-point trail, taking approximately 58 minutes to complete. The park offers a beautiful overlook of the city's skyline and features an elegant pavilion and plaza with picnic tables, restrooms, and playgrounds. The Platte River Trail, a north-south path with approximately 30 miles of riding, is also accessible from this trail's end. On-street parking is available.

UNIQUE FACTS:
• Playground Slides Available
• Relaxing Atmosphere
• Enjoyable Experience.

Here’s The Deal:
Roxborough State Park is one of the most popular state parks in Douglas County, Colorado. This geological site features wildlife, hiking trails, and dramatic red-rock formations. The park spans about 3,339 acres and is known for its distinctive red sandstone formations. The park has a diverse landscape with ponderosa pine and Douglas fir forests, prairies, and woodlands, home to various wildlife. Roxborough State Park is also home to 145 bird species, more than 50 butterfly and moth species, and 11 amphibian and reptile species. Black bears, coyotes, deer, elk, foxes, mountain lions, prairie dogs, and rabbits are common mammals in the area. The primary water sources in the park are Little Willow Creek, Willow Creek, and Mill Gulch. The elevation varies from 5,900 to 7,280 feet (1,800 to 2,220 meters).

UNIQUE FACTS:
• Well Signed Paths
• Well Maintained Trails
• Clean and Safe.