Get ready to explore the great outdoors and give back to our cherished trails this National Trails Day, celebrated annually on the first Saturday of June. This year, mark your calendars for Saturday, June 7, 2025, a perfect opportunity for families to connect with nature, discover new paths, and contribute to the preservation of our beautiful trail systems.
National Trails Day, sponsored by the American Hiking Society, encourages everyone to enjoy activities like hiking, biking, and even volunteering for trail maintenance. It's a nationwide celebration of the countless benefits our trails provide, from recreation and exercise to simply enjoying the tranquility of nature.
Family-Friendly Hikes in Colorado
Colorado offers a plethora of trails suitable for families, even those with toddlers! Here are some tried-and-true options to consider for your National Trails Day adventure:
- Bear Creek Park Trail (Colorado Springs): An easy, stroller-friendly trail with picturesque creek views, perfect for a leisurely family stroll.
- Boy Scout Hike at Flagstaff Nature Center (Boulder): This 1.5-mile loop offers fun rocks for kids to climb, making it an engaging experience for young explorers.
- Central Garden Trail (Colorado Springs): Located in the stunning Garden of the Gods, this easy trail provides close-up views of iconic red rock formations and is accessible year-round.
- Lookout Mountain (Golden): Enjoy a relatively flat half-mile loop through a forested area, ideal for families with young children.
- Platte River Trail (Sheridan): Paved trails offer a smooth surface for strollers and bikes, with scenic views along the river.
- Rock Park (Castle Rock): A wide dirt path that is easy enough for even the youngest hikers to navigate.
- Bailey Outdoor Education and Recreation Area (Bailey): A local gem offering hiking, snowshoeing, mountain biking, and disc golf, close to the Evergreen-Bailey-Conifer area.
- Meyer Ranch Park (Morrison): The Sunny Aspen and Lodge Pole Loop Trails provide an easy and enjoyable hiking experience for families.
- Flying J Ranch Park (Conifer): The Shadow Pines Loop Trail is an easy 3.9-mile hike, perfect for a family outing.
- Jefferson Lake Loop (Kenosha Pass): This kid-friendly, easy loop trail along Kenosha Pass offers beautiful alpine lake views.
- Upper Maxwell Falls Trail (Kenosha Pass): A lovely hike leading to a waterfall, suitable for a family adventure.
For more details on many of these family-friendly hikes, check out the Tried & True Family-Friendly Hikes in CO Guide.
Give Back on National Trails Day: Local Volunteer Opportunities
Beyond enjoying the trails, National Trails Day is an excellent opportunity to give back and help maintain these vital outdoor spaces. Several organizations in Colorado are hosting volunteer events on June 7th:
- Elk Meadow Park (Evergreen): Jefferson County Open Space is hosting a volunteer project from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Volunteers will focus on controlling noxious weeds, creating new trails, and removing barbed wire. For more information and to register, visit the Jefferson County Open Space website.
- William F. Hayden Park on Green Mountain (Lakewood): The City of Lakewood is organizing a volunteer project from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. This is a great way to contribute to trail maintenance in a beautiful setting. You can find more details on the City of Lakewood website.
- North Campus Heights (Colorado Springs): The Rocky Mountain Field Institute (RMFI) is hosting a volunteer stewardship day from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. near UCCS, focusing on trail restoration efforts. Learn more on the Pocket Pals Trail Maps blog.
Whether you choose to hike, bike, or volunteer, National Trails Day is a fantastic occasion to appreciate Colorado's diverse trail system and ensure these natural treasures remain accessible for generations to come. So, pack your bags, gather your family, and hit the trails on June 7th!
And if you're busy on the 7th but want to celebrate another day check our calendar for local events! Use for 👟 for Hikes and races, 🚴 for Rides, and 🦺 for community service opportunities near you.
This article was created in collaboration with Laura Kuehl, publisher of Macaroni KID Evergreen - Bailey - Conifer. Many of these family-friendly hike suggestions and volunteer opportunities were curated thanks to her local expertise. Be sure to subscribe to her edition for more outdoor fun and community happenings in the mountain areas!
Written with the help of Google Gemini.
