Toddler Friendly Hikes near Northern Colorado
By: Brianna Robles
These Northern Colorado hikes are great for getting little ones to hike on their own!
Before you head out into the trails with your kiddos in tow, brush up on the Leave No Trace Principles so that you can teach the next generation of hikers how to care for these areas we all love to recreate in.
Always leave areas better than you found them!
Dixon Reservoir Loop
Located at the base of Horsetooth Reservoir in Pineridge Natural Area, this is an easy hike around a beautiful reservoir. Total mileage is 2.1 miles with 108ft elevation gain. There are tons of prairie dogs on the south side of the trail and it’s fun when they all come out on the warmer days! For a shorter adventure, go clockwise to the beachy area on the north side of the trail - this is a great place for muddy lake play in warmer months!
More information on AllTrails.
Keyhole via Wild Loop Trial
Located just outside of Loveland in Devil’s Backbone Open Space, this is an easy hike that follows a really cool spine-like rock formation to a big keyhole in the rocks! It’s 2.4 miles with 252ft elevation gain. About .2 miles in there is a really nice overlook area with views of big peaks - I sometimes just go here and back for short adventures! If you have a Horsetooth recreation pass, it will work at the parking lot here. Otherwise, it’s a $10 parking fee.
More information on AllTrails.
Reservoir Ridge Trail to Foothills Trail Loop
Located at the northernmost point of Horsetooth Reservoir there is a short and somewhat challenging hike - Reservoir Ridge! The hike begins with a steep elevation gain (442ft) and then levels out to a gorgeous view of Horsetooth. It’s 2.7 miles and parking is free. My son loves looking for cactus on this trail in the summer as there are lots of them!
More information on AllTrails.
Wells Gulch Natural Trail
My favorite trail to do with kids in Lory State Park! It’s 2.5 miles long with 603ft elevation gain. It is a self-guided nature trail with educational posts along the way - be sure to stop in the Visitor’s Center to get the guide if you’d like to do the self-guided tour! At the very start of the trail there is a nice, tiny waterfall we always stop to play some at. The trail loops through the forest and foothill meadows - we frequently see deer here. State pass or fee required to enter.
More information on AllTrails.
Black Powder Trail
Located up Poudre Canyon in Gateway Natural Area (fee area) this 1.5 mile trail with 436ft elevation gain is short and sweet. Be sure to bring a picnic and hang out by the river after your hike - Gateway is a beautiful area with lots of room for recreation.
More information on AllTrails.
Three Bar Trail
This trail is north of Fort Collins in Eagle’s Nest Open Space. It’s 3 miles with 469ft elevation gain. Last I was here we saw two eagles so the name really lived up! If it’s snowy, go counter-clockwise around the loop and bring the sled - it’s great for sledding. Parking is free.
More information on AllTrails.
Coyote Ridge
Located in the foothills between Loveland and Fort Collins this is a great place to get those little legs moving! The trail begins with a long flat stretch through prarie-dog-central and then starts to ascend up to ‘the cabin’ (a service station building with restrooms and is a great snack spot). From there there is a steep ascent up to the ridge of the foothills. We typically turn around at the top but you can keep going down into the other side of the foothills! The total trail length is 4.1 miles with 564ft elevation gain. Parking is free.
More information on AllTrails.
Horsetooth Falls Loop Trail
Located in Horsetooth Mountain Open Space and rated as moderate, this trail is 2.9 miles and has 580ft elevation gain. I love this hike in all seasons, it’s my favorite local trail (and my son’s very first hike at 2 months)! Pro tip: go in the Spring during peak snowmelt, when the waterfall is rushing and the stream flows all the way down the mountain.
More information on AllTrails.
Dowdy Lake Trail
Red Feather Lakes is an awesome area located within Roosevelt National Forest. Dowdy Lake is a flat 2.3 mile hike around a peaceful lake. A great spot for paddle boarding or kayaking in the Summer!
More information on AllTrails.
Natural Areas
Northern Colorado has some WONDERFUL natural areas that are a skip and a hop away from town. Here is a list of some of our most frequented and favorite areas:
- Environmental Learning Center (ELC) - no dogs allowed here!
- Riverbend Ponds
- Maxwell Natural Area
- Lions Open Space
- Bobcat Ridge
- Sunset Vista Natural Area
- River’s Edge Natural Area
- Boyd Lake State Park
- Lory State Park
In the Spring-time it can get especially muddy on lots of these trails - be sure to check the free Colorado Trail Explorer (COTREX) website or app for trail closures and conditions.