Looking for a way to get your children some exercise and vitamin D? Hikes are a wonderful way to both entertain the little ones and spend some quality time in the great outdoors. One of the many perks to living in The Great Centennial State is easy access and proximity to hundreds of beautiful places to hike.
The front-runner on my list of beautiful hikes is Lichen Loop in Lyons, CO. This family friendly hike is only 1.3 miles long with a fairly light, 242 ft elevation gain. Along with lovely views from the trail, there are many large boulders that the youngsters are sure to enjoy climbing, playing on, and finding shapes in. One thing unique to this trail is informational signs posted along the hike that can provide a nice educational moment for all hikers.
The second hiking spot I highly recommend is Coot Lake located in Longmont, CO. This beautiful, dog friendly lake makes a perfect place for even the furry family member to have some fun. Coot Lake features an extremely flat 1.2 mile trail around the lake with spots for fishing and a fascinating art walk for the kids to enjoy.
The next fun hike on my list is Bald Mountain located near Boulder, CO. This 4.9 mile trail is slightly more challenging as it entails a 774 ft elevation gain. Nonetheless, the wildflowers all over and the view of the mesmerizing Indian Peaks from the top make it all worthwhile.
The final hike is Rattlesnake Gulch Trail at Eldorado State Park. This lollipop trail takes you 1.2 miles to the ruins of the old Crags Hotel which burnt down in 1912. Then you can continue 1.4 more miles to a stunning Continental Divide overlook. On top of those two wonderful sites there are some very fascinating geologic features such as the canyon itself, cliff swallows, and cliff-top views, plus some waterfalls and cascades that really make this hike so memorable.
One thing that I like to do to transform an ordinary hike into an extraordinary hike is a scavenger hunt for things like squirrels, chipmunks, a yellow flower, an oddly shaped rock or even a cloud that looks like something. Games like that help to fully immerse yourself and your little ones into the outdoors. Your youngsters will be on the lookout for nature related things the entire hike because if they aren’t they might miss something to check off on their scavenger hunt. Even a simple game of iSpy can accomplish this as well. So keep those hikes in mind for any day of the week for a fun family excursion. Additionally, those hikes would be a great way to introduce visiting family or friends to the breathtaking environment Colorful Colorado has to offer. And, as always, make sure to be fully prepared with the necessities for any hike such as plenty of water, trail mix, and sunscreen on those super hot days. Happy trails!
For more information on each hike click the following links:
Lichen Loop; Coot Lake; Bald Mountain; Rattlesnake Gulch
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Jessica Lee Photography is a Boulder & Denver Photographer who specializes in maternity, newborn, baby, and family photography in Boulder & Denver Colorado and surrounding areas including Erie, Broomfield, Lafayette, Longmont, Superior, Louisville, Frederick, and Firestone.
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