Colorado is a wonderful place to live. No matter how long you’ve been here, there are still amazing, outdoor places to discover. Wild west, nature loving, and out-of-this-world hidden gems that will surprise you, and take your breath away. 303 Magazine has rounded up our favorite outdoor hidden gems in the state. Everything from Glacial lakes, to castles, to alligator farms— here are the 7 Most Amazing Outdoor Hidden Gems in Colorado. Go here to read part II.
1. Sky Pond and Lake of Glass, Rocky Mountain Park
A scenic, shady, and intermediate (but quite long) 9 mile path takes you to two of the most beautiful peaks imaginable—crystal blue to emerald clear glacier lakes at high altitude known as Sky Pond and Lake of Glass. A beautiful refuge in Rocky Mountain National park, that welcomes close to 3.3 Million visitors each year, these long hikes are sure to feed your hidden gem appetite. Find these beautiful glacial lakes for a truly serene escape. Bucket list check. 9 Miles into Rocky Mountain National Park, find the map here.
2. Bishop’s Castle
This bizarre and totally unexpected two acres in the San Isabel National Forest is the child of Jim Bishop. In construction since 1972, it may be the largest one-man building project in the world. You’ll see Jim’s anti-government signs posted throughout the trail, along with an enormous, clay castle, dragon, and Eiffel tower shaped fire place. You can walk inside Bishop’s Castle and on several other spirally staircase like structures along the way. Jim started describing the Bishop Castle as “Built by One Man with the Help of God.” Truly something out of Willy Wonka or Dr. Suess, enjoy this local Colorado fairy tale. 12705 Colorado 165, Rye, CO, 81069.
3. The Incline in Manitou Springs
Not for the faint of heart, this vertical mile staircase in Manitou Springs known simply as “The Incline” is truly a flight of stairs worth taking. The really intense Colorado fitfam hiker could do the climb in 35-45 minutes. Feel the burn all the way to the top for one of the most spectacular hidden gem views that you have to see to believe. Ruxton St. Across from the Cog Railway in Manitou Springs
4. Forsythe Canyon in Boulder
This stunning Forsythe waterfall is on our list for the amazing scenery and hiking bliss, plus it’s relatively unknown among even the most versed hiking locals. Bring your dogs (on leash) and kids on this beautiful, shady hidden gem hike. Take the 2.2 mile hike to Forsythe Falls that will be situated along side Gross Reservoir. Check out the comprehensive Daily Hikes near Denver guide for the exact Falls Route, as the trailhead is easily missed. Be sure to make a day of it in Boulder! Slightly West of Boulder Mountain Park
5. Colorado Gators and Reptile Park
Alligator wrestling in Colorado. Yes, you heard right. If you think this echoes a banjo-playing, swamp people spot— it sort of does. But it’s also a kitschy, unique, immaculate, exciting, and really fun spot to visit. They welcome kids and encourage you to bring your dogs, who will have a lot of fun smelling alligators, turtles, birds, reptiles, and crazy animals they never knew existed. Check the pricing and hours of this weirdly cool hidden gem that will surely blow your mind. 9162 Ln 9 N, Mosca CO, 81146.
6. Booth Falls
This is a super beautiful Vail hidden gem that boasts the killer hike, stunning views, and aqueous quality that you will become accustomed to in Colorado. Most locals don’t need an excuse to get to Vail, but now you have one! It is quite possibly one of the most picturesque mountain towns in the state. Booth Falls Road, Vail, CO, 81657.
7. St. Mary’s Glacier
This final hidden gem is an ever changing canvas of the seasons. Enjoy Saint Mary’s Glacier in Summer, where the rocky path about a mile long takes you to the glacial lake. People ski and snowboard all season long down the glacial front. Check out Daily Hikes near Denver for the best route. 7599 Fall River Road, Idaho Springs, CO, 80452.
Go HERE to read our second edition of Hidden Gems, then follow 303 Magazine on Instagram for the best, local, Colorado-centric photography all year long!
Love these
also any one looking at this, if you go to sandisabel right by bisups castel there are natural water slides that are amazing up and you can slide down them
If anyone goes to Sand Isabel go check out the natural water slides, you can hikes up in the mountains and go slide down the slides with family and friends. . Its about a 45 minute hike but its amazing. COLORADO’S AN AMAZING STATE!!
Amazing!
right on. love it
Should be renamed 7 hidden gems of the front range… these pretty much suck. Get up into the mountains a bit why dontcha??
should add Alma, Middle Park and headwaters of Arkansas and Colorado rivers…all the hot springs places; Take the train all the way to Pike’s Peak and get out and enjoy the view; hike the last 200 ft to the top of Mt. Evans; go in the Country Boy mine; see Mesa Verde dwellings; Red Rocks from inside the amphitheatre; Black Canyon of the Gunnison…go on down to Palisade and have some wine…Colorado’s a big place!
A diverse set of options. Thanks Lindsey!
Colorado Gaters is an interesting place and worth seeing, but it is anything but immaculate…
Everything yall did, its been done.
nothing scenic about the town of vail other then nature itself, the town of vail is an I-70 overpriced strip mall nothing more, sincerely summit/eagle resident.
Love all the pictures
Where is the background picture from? Looks awfully familiar…
Does the Western Slope not exist?! How about Box Canyon Falls, Ouray? Or Hanging Lake outside of Glenwood Springs?! Colorado is not two separate states you know!!
There are Lego structures safer to climb on than Bishop's Castle. Interesting yes, how it hasn't been shut down is beyond me.
We visited Bishops Castle a year and a half ago…it is incredibly dangerous, lethal for small children. Like Craig I am shocked it is open to the public. Be warned…there are open windows where anyone could fall out of, rickety balconies, very very unsafe structure. Do not visit… It was recommended to us as an interesting site, I later told that person it was anything but!
There are Lego structures safer to climb on than Bishop’s Castle. Interesting yes, how it hasn’t been shut down is beyond me.
I do not consider Hanging Lake, nor Box Canyon, to be "hidden gems" simply because they are so well known and heavily visited. My article doesn't purposefully exclude the Western Slope, I just went with more places I felt people didn't know about which randomly happened to fall on this side of the state! Thanks for reading!
Thank You I love you all the picture.
Lindsey Bartlett Write something nice and all you get is mostly negativity from people who have found a voice on the internet. These people have nothing to contribute vocally in person so they think they come off as intelligent on the web. Keep it up and don't feel you have to defend yourself at all! 🙂
This was a great article! However, I do have to admit Hanging Lake really should be on this list. It's not as overly visited as you think.
Carol Dauer But Hanging Lake is over visited. During the summer the parking is generally filled by 9 am. The trail has heavy traffic all summer from early morning to evening. I know I live here and send people there during the spring or late fall up there which still tend to be busy.
Carol Dauer But Hanging Lake is over visited. During the summer the parking is generally filled by 9 am. The trail has heavy traffic all summer from early morning to evening. I know I live here and send people there during the spring or late fall up there which still tend to be busy.
I have been to both Hanging Lake and the incline in Manitou on several occasions, and Hanging Lake is by far less busy. Nonetheless, it is still not as over visited as people think. And it's usually empty during the week
That castle used to scare the shit out of me! No matter how many times I tried I could never get above the part where people fall through nd ring the rope lmaoo
On this Veterans Day I would like to take a moment to remember Willard Bishop who started building Bishop's Castle. I miss you grandpa. I know the truth and will keep your memory alive.
3 year old article: http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20110820/NEWS/110829999
Leslie, lets not encourage the Front rangers to show up on the western slope! Nothing good worth visiting on the western slope Flake (front) rangers!
dudes castle.
So true Craig! I also don't like going somewhere that you got hollered at for having a fire t shirt on. I guess it could be a neat place to look at but not to climb but I will never go back.