Park County, Colorado

Top Spots in and near Park County

  • Buena Vista, Colorado

    Mount Elbert via the Southeast Ridge Trailhead (Winter Route)

    13.48 mi / 4885 ft gain
    Classic Route to the Summit of Colorado's highest peak Great for All Seasons this is the Recommended Winter Route with minimal Avalanche Danger.  Known as the South Mount Elbert trail, the East Ridge trail or a combo of both, this trail is truly beautiful and remote. DIRECTIONS: To reach the t...
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  • Twin Lakes, Colorado

    Camp at Twin Lakes' White Star Campground

    4.5
    This area is located on the other side of Independence Pass from Aspen, which is only accessible during the summer, or can be reached year-round via Leadville, which is about 20 miles away along Highway 24. From Twin Lakes Village drive approximately 1.5 miles east on Highway 82 and take the exit...
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  • Colorado Springs, Colorado

    Bike the Garden of the Gods Loop

    5.0
    6 mi / 500 ft gain
    The Basics: Garden of the Gods is a free, public park on the Western edge of Colorado Springs. Open year round, the excellent paved roads with wide bike lanes provide road bikers with multiple loop options from 3 to 10+ miles. From casual bike riders to seasoned pros, you choose your distance and...
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  • Evergreen, Colorado

    Hike the South Loop at Elk Meadow Park

    3.0
    4.4 mi
    Elk Meadow Park near Evergreen, CO spans 1,140 acres of open meadow and pine forests and has over 16 miles of managed trails by Jeffco Open Space. This park will give the visitor a diverse taste of ecosystems and terrain and is perfect for trail runners, families, or those seeking a quick excursi...
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  • Twin Lakes, Colorado

    Kayak Twin Lakes

    Twin Lakes are two bodies of water that are connected by a short run of water with a dam at the eastern end. There are a few different places to put in your boat including boat ramps by the access point on the east end of the lake. There is also a boat ramp and a place to seasonally rent boats by...
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  • Leadville, Colorado

    Ski Hut-to-Hut from Uncle Bud's to Skinner Hut

    5.0
    24.5 mi / 4700 ft gain
    The trek starts just outside of Leadville near Turquoise Lake at 9800 ft. The first day you'll travel 6.5 miles and gain 1700 ft. to Uncle Bud's Hut, which sits around 11,400 ft. The second day you'll ski 7.1 miles to Skinner Hut and gain 2100 ft, mostly in the last 3 miles after having dropped...
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  • Colorado Springs, Colorado

    Hike, Climb, or Bike Red Rock Open Space

    2.0
    3 mi / 300 ft gain
    Red Rock Canyon Open Space was made public in the early 00's after years of use as a quarry and landfill. Some of the stone quarried from the area have even been used in some of the downtown buildings. Getting there is straightforward, heading West on 24 there is an obvious turn off left between ...
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  • Swan Mountain Road, Colorado

    Sapphire Point Overlook

    3.3
    0.62 mi / 49 ft gain
    This short, 0.6 mile loop hike gives a beautiful view of Lake Dillon and is an easy, family-friendly hike. Dogs are allowed but must be kept on leash. The trail is clear cut and descends a few feet while looping around the side of the mountain to the overlook point.  It is definitely a worthwhil...
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  • Manitou Springs, Colorado

    Hike Palmer Trail Loop at Section 16

    5.5 mi / 1400 ft gain
    The Section 16 trailhead can be found on lower Gold Camp Road. Almost immediately, the trail begins to rise in elevation. The grade is gentle at first but soon becomes a steep steady climb for about a mile and a half, until you reach the ridge.  Along the way, you will see many intersecting trail...
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  • Manitou Springs, Colorado

    Palmer Trail (Section 16)

    5.0
    5.51 mi / 1352 ft gain
    Palmer Trail (Section 16) is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Colorado Springs, Colorado.
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  • Morrison, Colorado

    Hike Mount Falcon

    4.0
    3.7 mi
    Just a short drive from Denver up US-285 sits Mount Falcon Park, a 2,248 acre open space park managed by Jefferson County. With over 12 miles of hiking trails and stunning views of Denver and the Front Range, this park is perfect for getting in a quick adventure when you don’t feel like driving t...
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  • Leadville, Colorado

    Ski or Snowshoe to Vance's Cabin

    3.1 mi / 750 ft gain
    Vance's Cabin is a private hut near Tennessee Pass booked by the 10th mountain division. The hut was completed in 1988 and sleeps 16; 6 beds upstairs in a loft and 10 bunk beds downstairs in a communal bunked area around the wood stove.   It's a compact cabin compared to some of the other huts in...
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  • Buena Vista, Colorado

    Mt. Belford and Mt. Oxford

    4.5
    10.34 mi / 5856 ft gain
    You'll being your ascent at the Missouri Gulch Trailhead, which is located a few miles up Chaffee County Road 390, at around 9,600 feet. The trail is very clear and very well maintained, but is steeper than most trails (even quite a few of the 14er trails I've done) right from the get-go. Remembe...
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  • Buena Vista, Colorado

    Hike Missouri Mountain

    5.0
    10.5 mi / 4500 ft gain
    Getting there: The trail begins at Missouri Gulch TH. If you are a car camper or are trying to snag a sunrise summit, there are many many drive off sites in trees and near water before and after the trailhead. The road to get to the trailhead is not paved, but is well maintained - a super high cl...
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  • Silver Plume, Colorado

    Argentine Railroad Grade

    5.0
    5.35 mi / 863 ft gain
    The Argentine Central Railroad Grade trail is just what it says: it follows the old rail bed of the Argentine Central line. All railway remnants have long since been removed, and in its place is a wide, well-defined trail with an easy grade. With just a 900-foot incline over the course of about t...
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  • Colorado Springs, Colorado

    Hike to St. Mary's Falls

    3.6
    3.2 mi
    From the parking area, follow the trail as it heads up towards the falls. The last mile, in particular, makes for a decent uphill challenge. This hike and waterfall are great for showing family and friends.
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