Outbound Collective logo

Ward, Colorado

Looking for the best hiking in Ward? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Ward. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Ward

  • Ward, Colorado

    Snowshoe Long Lake

    8 mi / 200 ft gain
    A long but extremely scenic hike tucked in Colorado's Indian Peaks wilderness. The entire Long Lake trail says 2.3 mile but due to winter conditions and snow pack you can really only make it the east edge of the lake. Exit Long lake loop back on to Brainard Lake Road (currently under construction...
    Read more
  • Ward, Colorado

    Snowshoe Mount Audubon

    13.9 mi / 2715 ft gain
    Want to start snowshoeing peaks?! Of course you do! If you don't already have snowshoes, you can rent a pair at your local REI (the one in Boulder, CO is closest to this hike). Check the snow conditions and if there is a fair amount of snow, I would recommend renting the larger of the two kinds o...
    Read more
  • Ward, Colorado

    Explore Red Rock Lake, CO

    3.0
    If you are looking for great reflections, color and mountain peaks for your photos, this lake is a great place to start. The Brainard Lake Recreational Area has so much to do, but this is a stop not to miss.It seems that everyone drives on by this little gem to get to Brainard Lake and the hiking...
    Read more
  • Ward, Colorado

    Hike to Mitchell Lake

    4.0
    4 mi
    Located in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area, Mitchell Lake is a good quick hike for an afternoon getaway. With just two miles to go till you reach the lake itself, it's easy for the whole family and the pups (the recreation area is super popular, so this is assuming the lots are full and you hav...
    Read more
  • Nederland, Colorado

    Camping at Brainard Lake

    5.0
    Pawnee Campground has 47 sites for suited for tents, RVs, or trailers with eight that are walk in and tent only. These can fill up quick so get there early if you don't have a reservation, which can be tough to come by but will be well worth it.Brainard Lake has been one of the most popular hikin...
    Read more
  • Ward, Colorado

    Hike to Blue Lake

    4.6
    6 mi / 1000 ft gain
    Located in the Brainard Lake Recreational Area (west of Nederland, CO in the Indian Peaks Wilderness), this gem isn’t exactly a well-kept secret, but it has all the beauty that you could ask for in a relatively easy Colorado hike.To get the full effect of the lake, you may want to plan your hike ...
    Read more
  • Ward, Colorado

    Hike Shoshoni Peak

    5.0
    10 mi / 2800 ft gain
    Starting at the Long Lake trailhead, follow the trail along the north side of the lake. Near the end of Long Lake, take the trail to Lake Isabelle and Pawnee Pass trail to the right. The trail is in good condition but steepens a little en route to Lake Isabelle. Once at Lake Isabelle (make sure t...
    Read more
  • Ward, Colorado

    Climb Apache Peak

    10 mi / 3280 ft gain
    Start at the Long Lake Trailhead ($10 parking fee) and head up the trail towards Isabell Lake. You'll pass both Long Lake and Isabelle lake, with spectacular views at both. At Lake Isabelle, be sure to continue straight on the trail, further up the valley, not the right turn up to Pawnee Pass.Con...
    Read more
  • Ward, Colorado

    Hike Pawnee & Buchanan Pass Loop

    5.0
    26 mi / 2800 ft gain
    Before you start your trip, get a camping permit from the Boulder Ranger Station. Plan to spend your first night in the Crater Lake BZ (Backcountry Zone), and your second in Buchanan BZ. If you're feeling particularly sedate, you can easily spend a third night in Coney Creek.Start early in the mo...
    Read more
  • Ward, Colorado

    Hike Pawnee Pass and Pawnee Peak

    5.0
    9 mi / 2400 ft gain
    Start at the Long Lake trailhead in the Brainard Lake Recreation area (there's a fee to park, if you don't have a pass). Take the trail towards Lake Isabelle for a few miles, winding through forest and past Long Lake. Signage towards Lake Isabelle and Pawnee Pass is apparent.Just as you reach La...
    Read more
  • Ward, Colorado

    Lake Isabelle via Long Lake Trailhead

    4.5
    4.09 mi / 374 ft gain
    Start at the Pawnee Pass Trail No. 907 Trailhead. Long Lake is about 2 tenths of a mile and Lake Isabelle is 2 miles from the trailhead. Keep an eye out for moose grazing in the bushes or in the water near Long Lake. This is a 4 mile out and back hike with well marked trails. For an 8.75 mile hi...
    Read more
  • Ward, Colorado

    Hike to Colorado's Isabelle Glacier

    5.0
    8.4 mi / 1600 ft gain
    Getting There The trailhead can be reached from Boulder by driving west through Boulder Canyon on Highway 42 to Nederland, then going north on the Peak-to-Peak Highway 72 to the town of Ward. From there, a National Forest Sign on the west side of the highway provides directions to the ranger stat...
    Read more
  • Ward, Colorado

    Snowshoe or Ski Lake Isabelle

    10 mi
    Speechless. That’s how this hike will leave you. And not just because of its length. At over 10 miles, this snowshoe exploration is not for the faint of heart. But the language-defying beauty of this hike will make every sore muscle worth it.The Brainard Lake Recreational Area near Ward, Colorado...
    Read more
  • Ward, Colorado

    Hike the Ceran St. Vrain Trail

    5.0
    4 mi / 1207 ft gain
    The Ceran St. Vrain trail north of Jamestown offers the hiker a nice respite from the summer sun as this path runs through dense pine forests. The trail follows the South St. Vrain Creek for most of the way and follows moderate grades throughout. There is no official end to the trail, only that i...
    Read more
  • Boulder, Colorado

    Catch the Sunrise on Sugarloaf

    4.5
    1 mi / 400 ft gain
    To get there from downtown Boulder, head west on CO 119 and almost 4.5 miles after you have left Boulder, turn right onto Sugarloaf Road. 4 miles after the turn from CO 119, turn right onto Sugarloaf Mountain road (located at the top of the road). If the road starts descending, you've gone too fa...
    Read more
  • Lyons, Colorado

    Backpack to Red Deer Lake, CO

    4.0
    6.4 mi / 1900 ft gain
    This is an excellent place to take your family backpacking. It is a fairly easy trail and definitely a great one for kids. Take in the beautiful scenery while hiking through meadows, aspen and pine with incredible mountain views in the Indian Peaks Wilderness. 6.4 miles to Red Deer Lake with an e...
    Read more