Fall is hands down our favorite season for hiking. And, in our humble opinion, there’s no better place to experience the magic of fall than in the Rocky Mountains (our backyard!). We highly recommend planning a trip out here, and you’ll see what we mean.
You’ll find stunning views of fall colors mixed with snow-capped peaks. The aspens are shimmering gold. Wildlife like elk and moose are more active. The crisp air, scenic landscapes, and quieter trails make fall a perfect time to explore the Rockies.
We’ve taken care of the “where to hike?” logistics so you can soak in the views stress-free. This is your go-to guide for the best fall hikes in the Rocky Mountains. Get packing!
Mills Lake
Rocky Mountain National Park, CO
Distance: 5.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 826 ft
This moderately challenging route is a popular area for fishing, hiking, and snowshoeing come winter. During peak foliage the aspens along the trail explode with color. Coupled with the epic mountain views, this hike is hard to beat. Mills Lake itself is massive and has plenty of little beaches and rocks along the shore for hikers to spread out and soak up the views. This is a great alternative hike to the more popular Sky Pond hike off of Glacier Gorge trailhead. It’s relatively easier and less crowded so if you're looking for more solitude within Rocky Mountain National Park, give Mills Lake a visit! Make sure to leave the pups at home—dogs aren't allowed on this trail.
Jasper Lake & Lost Lake
Nederland, CO
Distance: 4 miles
Elevation Gain: 830 ft
This moderately challenging out-and-back trail is fantastic for hiking, backpacking, camping, and fishing. Jasper Lake and Lost Lake both start at the Hessie Trailhead in Nederland. During prime leaf peeping season the first few miles of the trail feature a sea of yellow and orange leaves lining the path to the lakes. If you’re looking for a more moderately paced hike, Lost Lake is the perfect final destination. If you prefer more of a challenge, Jasper Lake is 10 miles round-trip and leads to a stunning final destination—you can’t go wrong with either!
McCullough Gulch Trail
Breckenridge, CO
Distance: 6.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,607 ft
Enjoy this challenging 6.4-mile out-and-back trail perfect for hiking and snowshoeing. This is a great day hike located super close to Downtown Breckenridge. Bonus points: this trail is pup friendly! This hike has so many cool features from start to finish. You’ll first hike past McCullough Falls and then reach two gorgeous high alpine lakes featuring views of the surrounding high peaks. The views looking down at the gulch from up top are spectacular as well. Mountain goats are typically spotted on this trail so keep an eye out for wildlife.
Abyss Trail
Grant, CO
Distance: 11.7 miles (venture about 2.5 miles in for some peak foliage)
Elevation Gain: 2,404 ft
Great for hiking and birding, this out-back-trail is a choose your own challenge. Opt to hike a couple miles in for stunning fall views or trek the full 11.7 miles round-trip for a solid workout. Abyss is one of the most popular leaf peeping trails in Colorado and it’s easy to see why! The beginning of the trail weaves through the forest, eventually opening up to wide vistas of the surrounding high peaks and the aspens are full of color.
Frazer Meadow via Horseshoe and Mule Deer Loop
Golden, CO
Distance: 4 miles
Elevation Gain: 954 ft
This trail is located in Golden Gate Canyon State Park, one of the more popular spots to leaf peep in Colorado. The hike is a lollipop style loop that takes you through the forest and ponderosa pine woodlands, eventually leading you to Frazer Meadows. There are tons of aspens throughout the hike which makes this trail very scenic in the fall. This is a great day hike close to Denver that’s family and pup friendly. There are also lots of moose in the area so keep your eyes peeled for wildlife.
Fish Creek Falls
Steamboat Springs, CO
Distance: 4.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,437 ft
This out-and-back trail is popular for its easy to moderate route and accessibility from town. We recommend going earlier in the day if you want to avoid the crowds! Along the way, you'll pass by two beautiful waterfalls, Lower and Upper Fish Creek Falls. Enjoy a great view from a stroller/wheelchair-friendly path to the overlook for the Lower Fish Creek Falls. The trail gets a little more rocky and technical after the first waterfall, but there’s plenty of shade and opportunities to rest.
Lower Loop
Crested Butte, CO
Distance: 7.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 452 ft
Starting from the Lower Loop Trailhead, this beautiful fall hike travels along the Slate River, with epic views of the valley and beyond to the surrounding mountain range. The landscape is full of wildlife, including herons, chipmunks, deer, and beavers. Aspens and evergreens dot the hillsides, putting on quite a show in the fall.
Lake Isabelle
Nederland, CO
Distance: 6.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 672 ft
Explore this moderate, 6.6-mile loop trail popular for hiking and snowshoeing. Lake Isabelle is a stunning hike that doesn’t require too much elevation gain to reach these beautiful views. Not only is the trail pup friendly, it’s family friendly too, and you have the option to hike up to Lake Isabelle Glacier if you’re looking for more of a challenge. Moose are active in this area and your chances of running into one of them on the trail is high.
