I was hoping I could get some recommendations for a safe, family friendly hiking spot that we can take out kids to. I have a fear of running into vicious wild animals so you know a trail that is known for its absence of wildlife, I'm good with that! Thanks ;-)
Hi, R.. I don't know where you live, but I can recommend a couple of places:
Brainard Lake Recreation Area is great, and very family friendly, with lots of trails, lakes, picnic areas, etc. And, it is definitely in the mountains, so feels like really getting away into nature.
NCAR in Boulder is pretty family friendly, but is more just straight hiking vs. other activities. It's close, though, and pretty.
Good luck, and have fun hiking!
The Lair O' The Bear open space park is great for family hiking. It is in Idledale which is near Morrison. There are trails all over and Bear creek runs along many of them. We just came back from there this morning and the kids had great fun. No wild animals or anything like that. We love it and my kids are 1, 4 and 6. There are long trails and short trails and picnic sites so there are always different options. Have fun!
A.
We just went to Eldorado Springs canyon this weekend, it's located just south of Boulder off of Hwy 93. It's very family friendly with nice water to picnic by, lots of great trails and a pool at the base of the canyon. I highly recommend!
I've lived & hiked here for 13 years and have never encountered a bear or mtn lion (or any 'vicious' animal). But I'm guessing that won't calm your fears. Any of the hikes on the plains should be predetor-free: they have no where to hide like the mtns. That said, snakes live everywhere (and I've encountered a small # on the plains) But you just keep the kids on the trail. You teach them. You be aware.
1. Teller Farm runs between east Arapaho and Isabelle Rd (aka Valmont) and continues across Isabelle to the White Rocks trail that is hilly, goes to the Heatherwood area of Boulder. Teller is flat, has cows sometimes. It's out east so you see the divide. It's wide so U could spot a snake from afar but I've never seen any there.
2. Waneka Lake in Lafayette is a lake loop with a small bird sanctuary, playgrounds & side fitness jobs. Wide, mellow, pretty. Not a hike but you can do laps for exercise.
3. The South Boulder Trail- you can pick it up off SoBo Rd, near 55th St. Goes all the way from almost broadway to ??? Baseline, Cherry Creek, etc. All flat, full of bikers & hikers, near the creek on & off. Well travelled = less wildlife, generally.
4. The Boulder Bike Path- paved, parallels Bldr Creek. Except it's a thrufare for bikers so you need to keep kiddo close, not wandering into the middle where a biker can come around the corner too fast. U can pick it up as far east as the Stazio Ball Fields near 55th & Arapaho and Eben G Fine Park at 1st & Arapaho. That park is a confluence of other trails, paved or not. But is also busy with kayakers/tubers in the summer.
5. Dry Creek trail off east Baseline (near the resevoir) is short, pretty, mellow.
Lastly, mtn lions are more active at dusk and brown bears (we have no fierce grizzlies) are moreso in spring. Carry a stick or pepper spray if that gives you comfort. I'm more afraid of jerky men than the wildlife here.
It's good to get the kids out in nature but also try to convey awareness not your fear to the kids. Good luck, have fun.
