Wildflower hikes in Colorado leave you bursting with joy, witnessing the colors of the rainbow across alpine meadows. It’s a short season at the higher elevations where the best wildflowers are in July and early August.
I have hiked throughout Colorado all my life, and finding the best trails for wildflowers can be unpredictable year by year.
Below I compiled recent trails that left us enthralled over the past few seasons, with added ideas of where to go.
Plan your summer in Colorado’s spectacular mountains!
EASY PEASY TRAIL
Loveland Lakes Trail – Pass Lake & Lake Kaz
Find wildflowers with any effort at one of Colorado’s most beautiful spots. Loveland Lakes Trail is near the top of Loveland Pass and is breathtaking — a pleasant short hike with phenomenal views. Best time; July/early August
Rated: Easy
0.8 mile out and back
Trail #9044
Elevation: Above 11,000 ft.
No Restrooms
Dog friendly
Family-friendly
DID YOU KNOW? There is a free app for your phone called “SEEK” that identifies plants & flowers that is fun to have. However, it only works if you are within cell service on your hike.
A HAVEN OF COLUMBINES
Herman Gulch Trail
Herman Gulch Trail is a heart-pumping hike through fields of wildflowers and landing at a crystal clear alpine lake surrounded by the Continental Divide Peaks.
The amount of Columbines dotting the alpine meadows was mind-boggling, leaving me giddy and excited! Our hike was in the middle of July … good luck!
6.5 miles out and back
Elevation gain: 1,755ft.
Herman Lake sits at 11,987 ft.
Rated: Moderate
2 portable potties at the Trailhead
Open to leashed dogs, horses, bikes
Nearest Town: Georgetown
The Colorado Columbine, The white and lavender
It’s Important to Stay Hydrated at High Altitudes in Colorado
SOLITUDE AND GORGEOUS WILDFLOWERS!
Cataract Gulch Trail
My first Pink Columbine Wildflower at Cataract Gulch Trail!
This hike has cascading waterfalls, dense forests, and abundant wildflowers. The flowers were flourishing everywhere.
In the backcountry, yet accessible by car, it’s the perfect hike for wildflower enthusiasts. Located near the picturesque town of Lake City. > Our trip to Lake City
Cataract Gulch – 4.5 miles out & back
Cataract Lake – 8.6 miles out & back
Rated: moderate/strenuous
Portable restrooms
NOTABLE: Bear warning signs at the trailhead. Don’t leave food in your car, and bring > Bear Spray! (we did not see one, but better to be safe).
Be prepared with the proper gear and clothing in Colorado. The weather is unpredictable and can change in minutes. > Day Hiker’s Checklist
WILD, WOODLAND, WONDERFUL
Hunter Creek Trail
Hunter Creek Trail in Aspen, CO, is a hiking, running, and mountain biking haven. A rocky dirt trail goes alongside beautiful Hunter Creek to Hunter Valley, where you find a mixture of meadows, aspens, and forests on single-track paths.
It is late in August for us, and the wildflowers are ending. However, you can envision how spectacular this must be in July/early August. I was enthralled with the abundant large bright red mushrooms.
North Hunter Creek – 8.9 miles
Rated: Moderate
Lower Hunter Creek Trail 1.7 miles
Rated: Easy
Running, MTB, hiking
Dog Friendly
Map of trails >CLICK HERE
WILDFLOWER CAPITAL of COLORADO
Crested Butte, CO
Crested Butte Wildflower Festival
is an annual 10-day Festival offering over 200 workshops in wildflower expertise each July, be it painting, pollination, photography, culinary arts, or leading hikes into the wild.
We have not attended the Festival but have hiked several times in July, and it’s true, an >abundance of wildflowers!
Trails we’ve hiked and enjoyed the wildflowers!
Easy trails – Judd Falls and Irwin Lake
Moderate trails – Copper Lake and Rustler Gulch
Many more trails to choose from – > Trails & More
Colorado Wildflower Guides!
PERFECT HIGH ALTITUDE BEGINNER TRAIL
Mayflower Gulch Trail
Mayflower Gulch Trail is a fantastic adventure in all seasons. After a mile of hiking among the tallest pines and a dense, deep green forest, you are above the tree line. The entire basin opens up before you with the historical remnants of the early 1800s Boston Mine scattered throughout beneath views of Mayflower Hill (elevation 12,389 ft), Pacific Peak (elevation 13,950 ft), and Fletcher Mountain (elevation 13,951 ft).
You can explore here or keep going on several trail options leading in all directions! Recommend July for wildflowers.
Boston Mine Camp, 1.8 miles, starts at 10,994′ and ends at 11,980′.
Gold Hill and across the top: approx: 4 miles out and back
Gold Crest Mine Site: approx: 3 miles out and back
Rated: easy to moderate
Open to: hiking, snowshoeing, nordic skiing, dogs, mountain bikes
Kid Friendly
Located in: Arapaho National Forest
OUTSTANDING HIKE to BLUE LAKES PASS
Blue Lakes Trail
There is nothing like a hike in the rugged beauty of the San Juan Mountains in Colorado. Hiking Blue Lakes Trail was above and beyond our expectations. If you are looking for a trail that won’t disappoint? This is it! Our hike was in early Sept., and there were still a few sprinkles of wildflowers — if you can get here in July/early August, what a glorious wildflower trek this would be.
I always bring up Blue Lakes Trail as it is one of the most incredible hikes in Colorado.
Trail # 201
Rated: Strenuous
6.3 miles (first lake) – 12.5 miles out and back
Start elevation: 9350 ft.
Elevation: Upper Lake, 11,720 ft.
Elevation: Blue Lakes Pass: roughly 13,000 ft.
Mt. Sneffels Wilderness
EVER-CHANGING SCENERY!
Native Lake Trail
Native Lake Trail, near Leadville, CO, is one of Colorado’s bucket list hikes. We loved it. Dense pines and spruces, creek crossings lined with wildflowers, alpine tundra flora, and striking views of Mt. Massive and the Continental Divide.
We love Leadville, Co > Best Hikes in Leadville
8.2 miles out and back
Rated: Moderate
Elevation start: 10,780 ft. Across the tundra 11,879 ft. at the lake 11,293 ft,
Open to leashed dogs
No restrooms
Nearest town: Leadville, CO
WATERFALL & ALPINE LAKE!
Booth Falls & Lake Trail
Booth Lake Trail was strenuous and exhilarating, leaving us speechless when reaching the tree line. Beautiful from beginning to end with the bonus of popular 60′ Booth Falls. Try July for wildflowers! Otherwise, hike here in summer/fall to Booth Lake; it’s one of the prettiest trails in Colorado.
10 miles out and back
Rated: Strenuous
Trail # 2011
Elevation gain: 3,053 feet
Open to hiking, horseback, dogs on leash
Not open to mountain bikes
Popular for trout fishing in late summer – Colorado Fishing License
Parking: limited – another option: East Vail Free Shuttle
Eagles Nest Wilderness
RENT a 4-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE: One of the popular areas to see a colorful splendor of wildflowers in Colorado is within the > Alpine Loop – a rugged 4 WD road in the Beautiful San Juan Mountains. On my wish list! > Map of the Alpine Loop
Recommended: > American Basin Trail
BEST TIME TO SPOT WILDFLOWERS
The real magic is in Colorado Alpine terrains at higher altitudes which host fields of color with a variety of gorgeous wildflowers.
At lower elevations, you begin to spot wildflowers in April and May. At higher elevations, like in the Rocky Mountains, and San Juan Mountains, wildflowers can be spotted mainly through July until late August.
From past hikes, we found the best times are in the middle of July! That being said, it changes every year.
Note: Many of the links are affiliate links which means I receive a very small commission (at no added cost to you).
Can't wait to see you on the trail!
LEAVE NO TRACE
ENCOUNTERING WILDLIFE
APPROPRIATE HIKING GEAR