Colorado Fall Hiking | Perfect Season for Trails

Ideal Conditions

When Colorado trails are at their best

Fall is many Colorado hikers' favorite season, and for good reason. Temperatures are perfect - cool mornings, warm afternoons - without summer's brutal sun or winter's bitter cold. The daily afternoon thunderstorm cycle that plagues July and August fades away, leaving stable, reliable weather.

The crowds thin dramatically after Labor Day. Trailheads that required 5 AM arrivals in summer have parking available at reasonable hours. Rocky Mountain National Park drops its timed entry requirement in October. You can actually enjoy solitude on popular trails.

And of course, there's the color. Hiking through golden aspen groves, with leaves crunching underfoot and brilliant yellow canopy overhead, is a uniquely Colorado experience. The lower sun angle creates dramatic lighting all day long. September and early October are magic.

Best Fall Hikes

ASPEN

Aspen Grove Trails

Kebler Pass, Maroon Lake, and Gothic Road offer easy access to peak color. Short hikes through the gold. Best late September.

14ER

Late Season Fourteeners

September is the last window for most 14ers before snow. Stable weather, smaller crowds. Get after it before winter shuts them down.

RMNP

Rocky Mountain National Park

Bear Lake corridor and Wild Basin offer spectacular fall color. Elk are bugling. No timed entry needed October. Magic combination.

FRONT

Front Range Foothills

Golden Gate Canyon, Staunton, and White Ranch have color without the drive. Close to Denver, less crowded than high country.

Fall Hiking Tips

LAYER

Dress in Layers

Mornings can be near freezing, afternoons in the 60s or 70s. Bring a warm layer you can shed. Wind protection important at elevation.

EARLY

Still Start Early

Popular fall color spots fill by 8 AM on weekends. Early starts also mean better light for photography. The golden hour lasts all morning.

SNOW

Expect Early Snow

High elevations can get snow by late September. Check conditions before fourteener attempts. Be prepared to turn around if weather changes.

WILDLIFE

Wildlife Active

Elk rutting, bears preparing for hibernation. Give wildlife space. Make noise on trails. Be bear aware - they're feeding heavily.

Fall Hiking