20 of the Absolute Best Places for Snowshoeing in Colorado

While Colorado is magical in the summer, that doesn’t mean that it’s any less so in the winter! You might trade your activities from kayaking in Colorado to snowshoeing in Colorado, but both are rewarding. Even when Daniel and I were enjoying our Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary in May, there was still plenty of snow for us to enjoy–and I thought it was equally as gorgeous as it might be in the summer. Time to strap on those snowshoes and hit the trails!

Which places to check out when you’re snowshoeing in Colorado

Snowshoeing in Colorado is a blast! Make sure to check out these trails!

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Rocky Mountain National Park

If you’ve checked out some of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park in the summer, you’ll want to head back to this famous park in the winter for a completely different experience. Once there’s snow on the snowshoeing trails, the crowds die down and visit this winter park less frequently, allowing for a more tranquil experience. 

RMNP is great for snowshoeing because of its many available trails, ranging from easy to strenuous. Check out the Deer Mountain trail for a moderately challenging hike that winds through stunning forests and offers views of the mountain peaks. The Sprague Lake trail is an excellent easy loop that can be done in one hour. The list goes on!

You’ll find excellent opportunities for snowshoeing in Colorado in the Rocky Mountains!

Glenwood Springs

Glenwood Springs also holds some excellent trails for snowshoeing. Many of these trails are connected to the Sunlight Mountain Resort, outside of downtown Glenwood Springs. This is one of the ski resorts that offers courses for people of all skill levels. 

Plus, you may even see a few mountain goats here.

Try Babbish Trail, part of the Sunlight Mountain Trail System, for a trek through the beautiful Babbish Gulch. Sunlight Peak Road is another excellent trail, though you can expect a more difficult snowshoeing route. Old Four Mile Road offers groomed trails, except during extreme weather. It leads to backcountry cabins that are part of the Sunlight Resort.

Snowshoes in Colorado are a must to experience these stunning trails.

Beaver Creek

Beaver Creek offers some of the best snowshoeing in Colorado. The Beaver Creek Resort has 20 miles of trails to explore. You can choose between groomed trails and those not maintained for fun explorations.

If you don’t have snowshoeing gear, you can rent it here along with equipment for other winter sports like cross country skiing. If you prefer to stay near restrooms, you have the option to snowshoe in more convenient areas. Otherwise, there are trails through the woods waiting to be explored. 

Snowshoeing tours are available for those who aren’t familiar with the area, ranging from a few hours to day-long events.

Keystone

The Keystone Resort is another great place for snowshoeing in Colorado. The resort offers 9+ miles of trails to explore with snowshoes. Like Beaver Creek, you can rent snowshoe gear here, so you don’t have to travel with it. There are also lessons and guided tours available at the resort.

Snowshoe through forests for a tranquil experience. Or, spend time admiring the nearby homes as you trek around the golf course. It’s hard to beat the views of the majestic snow-covered mountains in the background! Those who are more comfortable with snowshoeing can take the Mountain Top Tour, traveling from the Gondola and ascending for epic views. 

Vail Nordic Center

Vail Nordic Center offers over 6+ miles of snowshoe trails in Colorado. These trails begin at the bottom of the Gorge Range for stunning views as you trek through the area. Some snowshoe trails are shared with cross-country skiers, so it’s best to keep an eye out as they will likely be moving at a quicker pace. 

The Nordic Centers trails are groomed, so you’ll find them quite enjoyable to explore. At the center, gear rentals are available, along with tours and lessons. Group tours leave at 10 am each day, so make sure to arrive on time to participate.

Breckenridge

Breckenridge is a charming mining town in the Rocky Mountains with excellent opportunities for snowshoeing in Colorado. Any summer hiking trails or mountain biking trails found here become a snowshoe trail in the wintertime, so there are plenty of options. 

Beginners can start with the Burro trail–which is also a family-friendly choice. This trail remains pretty flat, making it easier to traverse through the pine trees and alongside a pretty running stream. 

You can also explore South Illinois Creek Trail for an option close to the downtown area. Trekking on this trail features a pretty overlook of the town about a half-mile in. Choose from 14+ trail options in the area.

Crested Butte

Crested Butte snowshoeing offers miles of trails ranging from shorter two-mile snowshoe trek options to eight-mile trails. Some of these snowshoe trails are even dog-friendly, though you’ll need a dog pass to bring your furry friend with you. You can purchase these passes at Crested Butte Nordic Center. 

The Gothic Trail offers moderate difficulty and provides views of Mt. Crested Butte. This unique trail travels through Gothic Valley, a winter ghost town that’s busy during the summer months. 

Slate River is another excellent spot for snowshoeing in Colorado. This trail is an out-and-back so that you can choose the length of your snowshoe activities. Trekking through Mineral Point, a picturesque, abandoned mine town, offers beautiful views of the mountains in the background. 

Steamboat Springs

Steamboat Springs offers options from easy to expert, making it a great place to snowshoe in Colorado. The trails vary in surroundings, with some trekking near waterfalls and others leading through old mining areas. 

Fish Creek Falls is a popular trail that provides a moderately complex trail. Snowshoeing offers incredible views of the icy waterfalls surrounded by a thick green forest. As a note, there is a $5 parking fee for this location. 

Emerald Mountain, also known as Quarry Mountain, offers many trails for snowshoeing. A few easier options include the Blackmere Trail and the Lane of Pain.

Grand Mesa

The Grand Mesa is home to the biggest flattop mountain worldwide. There are multiple locations here where snowshoeing can be enjoyed. The Grand Mesa Nordic Council offers quite a few groomed trails. Snowshoers are asked to walk next to the tracks, not on them. This makes the trails a bit more difficult than expected. 

Head to the Kannah Lake Trail in the Grand Mesa National Forest for a more challenging trail. This trek is mainly at an incline and offers gorgeous views of the lake. The entire course is around 16 miles, making it a strenuous trek. This trek is best for those with a good amount of experience snowshoeing in Colorado.

Nederland

Nederland is a town that sits close to Boulder and Denver. The downtown area is charming, while the outskirts feature stunning nature scenes. Multiple snowshoe trails run around the town for visitors and locals to enjoy. 

The Arapaho Glacier Trail is a more challenging option that runs about six miles each way in the Arapaho National Forest. However, the overlook of the Arapaho Glacier is worth the effort of the trek. You’ll need to bring snowshoes for this trail, as there is not a rental area.

An easier trek is the trail to Lost Lake. This trail is about 2.7 miles round-trip and features a beautiful creek and frozen lake. Once you arrive at the lake, you’ve reached the halfway point.

The Colorado Trail

The Colorado Trail is a famous hiking location that offers a 486-mile trail stretching from Durango to Denver. During the winter months, the full trail is not open. However, it’s still a stunning location for Colorado snowshoeing. 

There are many sections of the trail to explore, some receiving more snow than others. Sections 1-3 are close to Denver and receive smaller amounts of snow. These are perfect for beginners and families. As a heads up, these trails are popular, so you’ll want to arrive early to avoid the crowds.

After Section 4, the terrain becomes more varied and challenging. Head to Section 5 for incredible mountain views and an easy-to-follow trail.

Heil Valley Ranch

Heil Valley Ranch is an excellent location for snowshoeing in Colorado, especially if you’re looking to enjoy this activity late in the season. Due to the large number of trees casting shade, the snow does not melt until later.

There are six trails to choose from here, with the shortest starting at 1.3 miles and the longest being 5.2 miles. Lichen Loop is the easiest trail, providing a great path for beginners. Most other trails stay around 2.5 miles and offer pretty views and varied landscapes. 

The Heil Valley Ranch trails are especially busy on the weekends, so head here during the week if possible.

St. Mary’s Glacier

St. Mary’s Glacier is an excellent spot for snowshoeing most of the year as it is a perpetual snowfield. Many snowshoeing, climbing, and skiing enthusiasts head here when the snow has melted on the other trails. 

While the trail is only two miles round-trip, it’s a moderate difficulty as it begins with a starting elevation of over 10,000 feet. It’s about another 900 feet to climb to the top of the snowfield, where you’ll find a picturesque view of the snowy landscapes and the lush greenery nearby. Mount Bancroft and James Peak are also visible from the snowfield. 

You can extend the trail by heading to James Peak for an eight-mile difficult trek. It’s best to attempt this trail if you are an experienced snowshoer and have ample daylight.

Rabbit Ears Pass

Rabbit Ears Pass sits right outside of Steamboat and offers an array of trails for snowshoeing. This location is famous for its rustic snowshoe paths. When heading to the trails here, be prepared for the option of packed down paths or pristine trails depending on when the last snowfall was. 

Dogs are allowed on leash at this location. Though, it’s requested they stay off of the skiing tracks. Head to West Summit Loop 1A, accessible by Highway 40. This trek leads through beautiful forests and offers views of the Flat Tops and Yampa Valley. The entire hike is about 3.7 miles round-trip. 

Rabbit Ears Pass is a great place for snowshoeing in Colorado!

Monarch Lake

The Monarch Lake Loops offers an intermediate trail with varied scenery and views of the lake. You’ll be trekking four miles around Monarch Lake with stunning views of the nearby mountains. Most of the trail is flat, with no changes in elevation. However, you will find specific areas to be hilly, where sandy beaches sit underneath the snow. 

You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the drive to this trail, as it offers beautiful views as well. The road is a bit bumpy as a heads up, though the scenery along the way and at the lake is well worth it. There will also be a small parking fee upon arrival. It’s one of the best Colorado lakes anytime of the year!

Seven Bridges Trail

The Seven Bridges Trail is a popular hiking trail in the summer, offering multiple bridges to cross with views of streams and waterfalls along the way. This trail turns into a beautiful path for snowshoeing in Colorado in the winter. 

The full trail is about six miles round-trip and features some challenging stairs. Most snowshoers only trek part of this trail, as it can be quite slippery. Keep an eye out for the bridges and stairs, as these points can be dangerous. On a positive note, the parking lot to access this trail has much more availability during this time.

Betasso Preserve

Betasso Preserve, near Boulder, is one of the best places to snowshoe in Colorado. At the preserve, you’ll find stunning mountains, foothills, and plains converging for epic views. There is also a lot of wildlife visible while snowshoeing, adding to the tranquil feeling of the trails.

The trails here are challenging yet manageable for those of all skill levels. There is a wide variety of trails to snowshoe on, though they are all about one mile long. The elevation adds to the difficulty of the courses. Try two, three, or even four trails to create a longer, more challenging route around the preserve.

With three parking lots, the Betasso Preserve is easily accessible. As fewer people visit in the winter, plenty of parking spots will be available throughout the day.

Rampart Reservoir

Rampart Reservoir is located at the Pine National Forest. This reservoir stretches for 400 acres and offers picturesque views of the frozen water and surrounding forest. Around the reservoir, there are miles and miles of trails available for snowshoeing. 

One of the best ways to access Rampart Reservoir is to take the Rainbow Gulch Trail. This trail offers a wide pathway, making it easy for snowshoers and cross-country skiers to make their way through. 

Start at the Rampart Reservoir Trailhead and follow the Rainbow Gulch Trail, which leads directly to the reservoir. It is about a 1.5-mile trek to the reservoir and back.

Mueller State Park

This state park stretches across 5,000 acres, offering plenty of pretty trails to explore. Mueller State Park trails are not groomed, though you will find they are less busy than other more popular trails. 

There are eight trails available, ranging from easy to challenging. Beginners can trek the Ridge Overlook trail, which offers a 1.4-mile round-trip distance and pretty views. This trek stretches from trail 7 to trail 9. Avoid heading past trail 9 as a beginner, as there is a steep drop.

Intermediate snowshoers can check out the Lost Pond Trail, which loops around for about 2.4 miles. Ranger Ridge is reserved for advanced snowshoers and skiers. There are many quick elevation changes on this trek, with plenty of steep hills.

Golden Gate Canyon State Park

Golden Gate Canyon State Park is near Denver and offers the best snowshoe trails in Colorado for snowshoe newbies. There are 35+ miles of trails here, so you can spend a whole day here exploring different trails if you’d like. These trails range from easy to strenuous and are varying lengths. This state park offers incredible views of mountains and thick forests while snowshoeing. 

There are also many opportunities to see wildlife while exploring the trails. Horseshoe Trail is an excellent option for newer snowshoers. The total length is 3.4 miles, and there are tiny elevation changes. The Mule Deer Loop Trail is another excellent option, though it’s much more challenging. However, you’ll be rewarded with the Panorama Point Overlook. 

Have you ever been snowshoeing in Colorado? Where is your favorite spot?

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