3 Best Hiking Trails in Thornton, CO

“Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge is a place to step into nature and see the native wildlife that calls the Refuge home. The trail is located 17 minutes from Thornton, CO. This nature area covers approximately 15,000 acres. The Refuge has bison, deer, raptors, songbirds, waterfowl, prairie dogs, and coyotes, which are just a few of the animals you will see on your visit. You can enjoy 20 miles of easy hiking trails, and some trails are open to bicycling. The lake trails feature a boardwalk over the water. Visitors can also take the Refuge's 11-mile Wildlife Drive in their vehicle to see bison, deer, hawks, waterfowl, and more. Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge also includes various recreation opportunities, including hiking, bicycling, seasonal catch-and-release fishing, an archery range, and wildlife viewing and photography.”

“White Ranch Park features almost 20 miles of multi-use trails that wind through soft and harsh terrain. The total land area of the park is 3,953 acres. The trail is located 28 minutes from Thornton, CO. This is a 23.7 km loop trail, with an elevation gain of 888 meters. This is generally considered a challenging route. This trail is perfect for various recreational opportunities like cross-country skiing, mountain biking, and running. The paths lead through scenic views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can also have views of numerous wild animals. White Ranch Park is open year-round and is a great place to visit anytime.”

“Eastlake #3 Park & Nature Preserve is an ideal destination to have a pleasant and relaxed time with friends and family. This is a 2.4-km loop trail, with an elevation gain of 6 metres. This trail route is generally considered an easy route. This takes an average of 27 minutes to complete the entire trail. This trail is a serene place that is perfect for various outdoor activities like walking or biking. Visitors can also see the bunnies, numerous birds, ducks on the lake, turtles, frogs, snakes, and coyotes. Eastlake #3 Park & Nature Preserve features tennis courts, a playground, horseshoe pits, and a bird sanctuary.”