The scenic drive on Canyon Boulevard is a bonus. 2.7 National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) 2.8 Boulder Falls. Nevertheless, the Royal Arch hike is worth tolerating the crowds just to see the truly impressive rock formation at its end! Boulder, Colorado is a wonderful place to introduce children to a natural habitat adjacent to an urban environment. Designated parking for this trail is located at the Main Parking Lot on the north end of Juniper Way #5 - Palmer, Cabin Canyon, Strausenbach, and Central Gardens Trail Loop. The best time to hike with kids near Boulder is early in the morning. As soon as you turn onto Eldorado Canyon road youll be surrounded by dramatic, striated rock walls. Colorado: With an ascent of 1,797 ft, C-470 Trail has the most elevation gain of all of the stroller friendly trails in the area. Youll pass Long Lake, then Lake Isabelle as you climb up a valley towards the Continental Divide. Parking will be a premium at the Flagstaff Summit, so start early. The Fountain Valley Trail is a 2.3-mile loop that winds through the Fountain and Lyons rock formations with a moderate change in elevation. FYI the Brainard Lake Road is scheduled to open on June 17. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. (detour to the pond is not paved). At the top, youll be rewarded with views of the city below and other mountains to the north and west. Boulder Recreational Marijuana Dispensaries: UPDATED! (New 10/2018), A good hike to see some fall colors this weekend, Tent camping around Boulder or Estes Park. Keeping kids warm during winter adventures, The ultimate rustic weekend in northern Vermont with kids. Nice wide trail with great views of Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak. Along the way, there are plenty of rock outcroppings, boulders, caves, and more to explore. You will be hiking along the North St. Vrain Creek. Best Camping Knife for Outdoor Adventures, Best 4-Person Tent For Camping [2023 Update], How to Use a Fire Starter: A Simple, Step-by-Step Guide, How to Dispose of Butane Cans (and Other Solvents), Best Hikes in Colorado: 17 Incredible Trails, Types of Backpacks: The Ultimate List of 23 Pack Styles, Info and tips for each of our favorite trails, A selection of easy, family hikes and challenging, all-day adventures. The Boulder Creek Multi-Use Path is a great bike, pedestrian, and trail running path through the city of Boulder along the creek. Generally the best tip is pay attention to your and your kids urine. While reaching the summit of many of the peaks require some climbing or mountaineering experience, Bear Peak is a strenuous but accessible option. Parking lot surface: paved. This guide was built with a generous 3-year partnership with. There is a parking fee for non-residents of Boulder. Goose Gossage Youth Sports Complex & Park, Sinton Trail about 3 miles one way, trail starts just north of Gossage Youth Sports Complex on Mark Dabling Blvd and flows along side a small drainage canal. A few areas with rocks and also a small stream to cross.. a bit bumpy. South Boulder Creek Trail at Bobolink Trail is a 1.5-mile trail (between Baseline and South Boulder Roads) that runs along South Boulder Creek. Boulder, Colorado is an outdoor mecca. After a 0.2 mile walk, the trail splits into a loop. Boulder, Colorado is a wonderful place to introduce children to a natural habitat adjacent to an urban environment. Beyond that, the trail becomes more rugged, definitely unpaved, and can extend just about as far as you are willing to go. The views of the Indian Peaks Wilderness from atop Mount Audubon are truly spectacular. Shooks Run Trail 4 miles one way Note: several street crossings & minimal signage. Heil Valley Ranch is a Boulder County Open Space park that features a large network of trails popular with hikers, mountain bikers, and trail runners. Its not much farther, and youll get views of Winter Park and the many surrounding peaks. There are a couple street crossings, but when you travel through Douglas Creek Open Space you are surrounded by lush greenery, youre able to forget you are in the center of the city. Visitors to the city can take advantage . This park is a beautiful, historic and has several recreational amenities gardens, ponds, playgrounds, sports courts & fields, swimming pool, historic geological structures this park has it all! Instagram@TrailsAndOpenSpace. But take heart! Black Forest Section 16 is a 640-acre open space nestled in the Black Forest. It climbs alongside the cliff before making a few short switchbacks and heading straight uphill. If you can, plan your trip to hike the Eldorado Canyon Trail during the week. Why Your Kids Will Love It: This tiny trail offers big views of both mountains and plains, and its lined with interpretive signs about local weather and climate. (PS don't go down below if you don't have to this week. The rocky cliffs and coniferous trees offer a magnificent backdrop for the 70-foot-high waterfall. Make sure everyone is wearing appropriate shoes and clothing. New Santa Fe Trail 14 miles one way, pleasant six-foot wide gravel trail. Once youve made it to the park, look out for the parking area. The trail is wheel chair accessible and completely flat. The less than 3-mile loop around the lake enchants hikers withspectacular high alpine scenery and abundant wildlife. Thanks for the recommendations, cbrand and Babalax! Explore the most popular stroller friendly trails in Colorado with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Share This Trail Trail Features Trail highlights Visitor Center Fee & Parking Details Fee : $8.00 Parks Passes Daily Pass: $8.00 This is a great trail for families and is very dog-friendly. Camping Nearby, Creek / River, Shaded Hike, Viewpoint, and Wildlife Viewing, Fee : A visit to Boulder would not be complete without a visit to Chautauqua Park. Trying to think of some up here have you been to Mud Lake? 2.2 Bobolink Trail. 1st time in Colorado. The Eldorado Canyon Trail is another Eldorado Canyon State Park trail that we recommend. PARENT CATEGORY FOR SEGMENT / GUIDES, REVIEWS, NEW RELEASES, DESIGNER INTERVIEWS, OUTFIT GUIDES, SEASONAL GUIDES. Heres a suggested list of items to keep everyone happy and safe out on the trails. Bottom line: Drink more water and keep a water bottle with you. Enjoy the dramatic views of Long's Peak, Mt. Park at the Yucca Flats Trailhead. One trail has an elevation climb of 300 feet and the other is flat and follows the western shoreline of Pinewood . Connects to Briargate trail (along Briargate Parkway). When Sandy Bornstein isnt trekking in Colorado or writing, shes traveling with her husband Ira. From this amazing location, hikers can access several trails, picnic areas, restrooms, the Flagstaff Nature Center, and the Sunrise Circle Amphitheater. This hiking trail starts at the Long Lake trailhead. Youll see rock climbers scaling towering sandstone cliffs and plenty of other hikers, too. Another mostly flat option with memorable views of South Boulder Creek and the foothills is the 2.5-mile Bobolink Trail. I don't always need it, but some days it's nice to have. Part of the Colorado Front Range Trail, this section beginning at Palmer Lake, passes through the Air Force Academy (be sure to stay on trail, please do not trespass), then connects to Cottonwood and/or Pikes Peak Greenway Trails. Explore the most popular stroller friendly trails near Boulder with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. West 3.5 miles out and back, starting at the nature center. Its enough to make you hang up your pack and call it quits till theyre 18. 93. Leave us a comment below! 702 E Boulder St, Suite 200 Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. This is also a great option to turn an epic out-and-back hike on the Boulder Skyline Traverse into a loop. From spring to late fall the valley is sprinkled with gorgeous wildflowers. Note: The actual trailhead begins in a neighborhood with very little parking. The companies, people, sports teams, and cultural organizations are driving growth into our beautiful city. Take the main path out to the turnaround point and then walk the narrower trail back. Explore the most popular stroller friendly trails in Colorado with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Trail Details: This, makes for an approximate five mile long, there and back again hike. Where to go: There are two things to keep in mind when choosing a trail for a family hike: (1) Focus on the cool factor. Don't forget your sturdy shoes, layers, snacks, and plenty of water! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Looking for the best hikes around Boulder, Colorado? After visiting these trails countless times with our children and grandchildren, I'm sharing some of our favorite family-friendly trails. To lessen the likelihood of dog-bear encounters, Boulder has imposed dog-leash restrictions on numerous trails from August 15 through November 1. What or who is Ralphie? Oh I know! Members who are extremely knowledgeable about this destination and answer travellers questions frequently. And who doesnt love some good old-fashioned peak bagging? Please carry out what you carry in and only walk on trails. Thanks in advance for any advice! NCAR is hard to miss, especially when driving north toward Boulder on Highway 93. Well maintained and perfect for all age groups and stroller friendly. TOSC is a 501(c)3 organization, tax ID #84-1156471. Itll be smooth sailing back to the South Mesa Trailhead, where you started. Boulder. They end up throwing rocks until its time to leave every time. Our guide has something for everyone, from short-distance saunters within Boulder city limits to all-day epics. The structure houses the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), a world-class research facility specializing in earth system science. Plus there are boulders for climbing and benches for snacking. School age children may appreciate the signage on the short Walter Orr Roberts Trail and some of the rock filled trails heading toward the foothills. Here are my tested methods for keeping it fun and interesting out there. This road is marked with a brown sign for the Covered Bridge Campground and the hiking trail. Youll parallel several prominent peaks as you follow this trail. The Rattlesnake Gulch Trail is a popular trail located in Eldorado Canyon State Park, just south of the city. Hike it Baby makes every effort to keep trail content up to date, but trail conditions are subject to change. Look for tubers floating down the creek during the summer months. From the Red Rocks Trail, you can extend your hike to include climbs up to Reflection Point and Anemone Point. Accessibility: Visitors using wheelchairs, mobility equipment, or strollers may need all-terrain tires or adaptive/motorized equipment for the surface type and grade. Weather conditions can change quickly. Fowler Trail is probably the best mix of canyon views and glimpses of the rock climbers. Donate. Beware of rattlesnakes. It can be accessed from the visitor center where bathrooms and water is available. Boulder Valley Ranch (can be combined with Coot Lake but you will have to walk down a rural road at one point to connect the trails). We recommend checking out Devils Thumb, Lost Lake, Jasper Lake, Woodland Lake, the King Lake Trail, and the Diamond Lake trails as well.