Boulder, Colorado
Looking for the best backpacking in Boulder? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Boulder. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Backpacking Spots in and near Boulder
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Grand Lake, United States
Hike to Timber Lake
4.59.6 mi / 2050 ft gainI love Timber Lake! I never see that many people on the trail and I can't figure out why. The hike starts at the Timber Lake trailhead and climbs gradually through Pine and Aspen trees on the way up. We saw a few elk on the way up that didn't seem to be bothered by our presence. We also started h...Read more -
Grand Lake, Colorado
Hike the Colorado River Trailhead Loop
5.013.6 mi / 1245 ft gainSince this hike is 13.6 miles (according to my watch the hike was more around 14 miles, but it's in that range), I'm going to break it down into four different parts. To Lulu CityTo Little Yellowstone / Thunder PassThe Grand Ditch Red Mountain Trail The first 0.5 miles and the last 0.5 miles a...Read more -
Bellvue, Colorado
Hike to Comanche Lake in Pingree Park
3.58 mi / 700 ft gainYou start out hiking through the average Colorado forest for the first 4 miles of the 7-8 mile trip at about 6,500 feet. The trail is largely downhill for the first couple miles until it levels out and you are headed North. A little more than halfway, you come to Comanche Reservoir and hike up al...Read more -
Bellvue, Colorado
Climb Greyrock Mountain
5.07.1 mi / 3000 ft gainThe main trail begins at the Cache La Poudre river on the Poudre Canyon Highway about 30 minutes from Fort Collins. After about .75 miles the trail splits. To go left on Greyrock Meadows trail adds 2 miles to your trip and provides excellent views of Greyrock Mountain and Meadows from the south, ...Read more -
Bailey, Colorado
Payne Creek Trail via Brookside McCurdy Trailhead
4.517.98 mi / 3773 ft gainDay 1: Park at the Payne Creek/Brookside Trailhead (8,040 ft.) right outside Bailey. You'll go on the trail for about a mile before the trail parts to Craig Meadows or Craig Park. If you start this in the nighttime, it's best to camp before you part ways on the trail as it's a little more spaciou...Read more -
Livermore, Colorado
Mt. McConnel Summit Trail Loop
4.26 mi / 1453 ft gainThis 4.3-mile round trip hike gains 1300 feet of elevation before reaching the Mt. McConnel summit. The primitive trail is rated as difficult and has an ascent of many switchbacks, leading up to a wild flower-covered summit. The trail winds along the ridge line around 8,000 feet, offering panoram...Read more -
Walden, Colorado
Overnight at Nokhu Hut
5.03 mi / 540 ft gainThe Nokhu Hut is part of the Never Summer Nordic Hut system, and makes for the perfect beginner Hut trip. The Hut has a stocked kitchen, wood shed, and small wood burning stove that keeps the tiny hut toasty warm.From the Hut, it is a short, easy hike to Lake Agnes - the trail often stays snowy u...Read more -
Walden, Colorado
Cross-Country Ski to American Lakes
4.012 mi / 800 ft gainWARNING! AVALANCHE DANGER!Make sure you have avalanche safety knowledge and equipment. This route enters avalanche terrain.If you are looking for one of the ultimate cross-country ski treks along the northern Front Range, look no further. This trip takes you to the American Lakes at the base of t...Read more -
Bellvue, Colorado
Winter camp at Zimmerman Lake
2.7 mi / 518 ft gainThis is a fairly popular snowshoeing and cross country skiing trail in the winter and offers a variety of additional trail options from the lake. Starting at the parking lot, the trailhead is easily accessed and begins the very gradual assent to Lake Zimmerman. Once at the lake, there are beautif...Read more