Colorado's mountain towns treat us with a wildflower explosion come summertime. Mother Nature takes the wheel and puts on a show, painting our fields and meadows in vibrant reds, yellows, oranges, and purples. Wildflower season is truly enchanting - we don't want you to miss it!
Here are our Top 5 Colorado Hikes to enjoy the wildflowers:
1. Rabbit Ears, Steamboat Springs
Rabbit Ears Pass, the way in/out of Steamboat via Denver, is a wildflower playground in the warm months. Head to the trailhead, located just past the Dumont Lake Campground. This 6-mile loop hike will grace you with Columbines (Colorado's state flower), Indian paintbrush, Geyer's larkspur, orange wild buckwheat, and other beautiful wildflowers. The broad fields of blooming flowers and the surrounding water make picture-perfect scenery. Don't forget to enjoy the iconic rock formations at the top of the hike, our famous 'rabbit ears'!
2. Notch Mountain, Vail Valley
Head to this trailhead for an adventure. This trek is 11 miles and provides rugged views of the famous Holy Cross and brings an abundance of wildflowers along the way including Old Man of the Mountain.
3. Mohawk Lakes, Breckenridge
Head south of Breckenridge to this series of trails. Hike the single-track through the woods or keep driving and hike near Continental Falls to the upper lakes. Enjoy stunning wildflowers along the main route. This is one of Colorado's best hikes with rushing waterfalls, large lakes, and mountain vistas - enjoy the view!
4. Mount Zirkel Wilderness, Steamboat Springs
Head west out of Steamboat, take Elk River Road, and a scenic drive down Seedhouse Road to access the Mount Zirkel Wilderness. This leads you to the Slavonia Trailhead, the starting point for hikes to Gold Creek, Gilpin Lake and Mica Lake. Expect to see Colorado Columbines and Red Indian Paintbrush along the way. These are iconic Steamboat trails, enjoy the Zirkels!
5. Upper Piney Lake Trail, Vail Valley
This popular hike shows off its colors with its abundant wildflower meadows on the way up above Piney Lake and Piney River. It's 2.8 miles up to the cascading waterfalls and then back out. Go and be spoiled by the views and the wildflower-painted backdrop this summer.
