Base Camp Denver ― 101 Hikes in Colorado Front Range

Denver is known the world over as the gateway to Colorado's magnificent Rocky Mountains. Four national forests, a national grassland, scores of regional and city parks and preserves, and Rocky Mountain National Park offer hundreds of hiking and walking trails—all within one to three hours of downtown Denver. Base Camp Denver offers you 101 of the best of these great hiking destinations to choose from. Take a day to explore an alpine meadow, walk to a waterfall, hike through a forest, or stroll suburban parklands. Enjoy a spectacular day of spring wildflowers or fall foliage, and still be home by dinnertime. Scramble to the top of a mountain to enjoy a sunrise and still make it to work by eight. With Pete KJ as your guide and Denver as your base camp, the splendor of Colorado's Front Range is yours to enjoy one day—or even just a few hours—at a time.

History, geology, flora, and fauna for each hike

Best hikes for each season, and where to enjoy spring wildflowers & fall foliage

Ratings from 1 to 5 for trail conditions, difficulty, suitability for children, and more

Detailed driving directions to trailheads and info about elevation, hiking time, parking, and restrooms

Regional maps showing all trails in each chapter; route map for each hike

Best hikes for dogs, kids, and teens

Hikes that offer solitude … or plenty of company!

Hikes by interest: birdwatching, stargazing, wetlands, wildlife, and more

How to prepare & what to take

101 great hikes to choose from!

Pete KJ began explorations at age three in the wooded ravine that was his backyard in Seattle. He also began a lifelong writing habit. Backyard expanded as Pete stomped all over the Cascades and Olympics as a youth, and headed onward to the Pyrenees, Alps, Himalayas, and Andes. Peace Corps service in Africa cemented his deep desire to always be out in the world, and when he finally sat in a cubicle as a chemical engineer, it was in places like Puerto Rico and India. Long absent from the cubicle, he moved on to raise kids, travel the world with them, and write about it—and also write novels. Career originally brought Pete to Colorado in the 1990s; its gravity and beauty drew him back and continue to captivate him. In his continuing quest to experience everything this remarkable region has to offer, Pete has hiked hundreds of trails in the front range and beyond.