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    Chautauqua Park

    4.8 (348 reviews)
    Open 5:00 am - 11:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Chautauqua Park Photos

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    Royal arch
    Violeta C.

    I have been bringing my child here since she was old enough to crawl. We love Chautauqua Park. I love coming here and just running the trails of course very carefully and I've taught my daughter to run the trails of course very carefully. Today was especially fun because we brought her friend Vincent. My daughter has grown up in Colorado hiking skiing doing all the Colorado things and it's just so emotional seeing her finally making it up to the royal arch for the very first time . We've done Sequoia national Park trails and Yosemite trails but royal arch has so many different parts to it hike it is a lot shorter than a lot of national park trails but it's more challenging in. There are a lot of boulders to crawl up and down from and a lot of tight squeeze places to get to the most amazing view you have ever seen. Very worth it please come ! Unfortunately, this hike is not for unexperienced hikers to go alone please bring a friend who has done it before or has hiking experience. I would not recommend taking your very small children up here or elderly that are not athletic. They simply won't enjoy their time again. It's very challenging for a lot of people. Please do not let this discourage young adult adults that are healthy and whole. If you have never hiked before, but are an avid runner you will be able to make it up here. Just make sure you bring a snack and whatever you bring up bring down. Do not leave trash anywhere.

    Emely R.

    One of the scenic hikes in Boulder, Colorado!!! They have a couple of fun trails that are for all types of skill levels from easy, moderate, to difficult. We did two moderate trails and they were pretty challenging but the views were very well worth it! The Flatiron rocks are so beautiful and you can even rock climb them if your a pro. There is limited parking so make sure to go early and there is a shuttle area available if needed a few minutes away. Highly recommend if you're in the area!

    Steven H.

    What a fantastic place to hike in Boulder! The day we went there was some event happening, but fortunately we took the transit bus from the Pearl St. area to the park which made it easy. There are several trails here and some are very easy and others are more difficult. We took a moderate one and also completed the basic simple Chautauqua trail as well. I enjoyed one's that went a little further up in the mountain better, but it all made for a great day. The trails are mostly well marked and were easy enough to navigate. Make sure you have good shoes and hydration. The day we were there over this summer it was rather Hot(over 100 degrees) and there are a few trails that had less tree cover. Be mindful of the days climate and plenty to drink. Plan on going back sometime when I am back in CO!

    Dinner menu from the dining hall- June 2025.
    Holly T.

    Visiting from Nashville and staying here on the property for 5 nights in one of the 60 or so cottages. What a beautiful place nestled at the foot of the Flatirons in Boulder. So many hiking and walking opportunities here- and the views are incredible. The dining hall serves delicious lunch and dinner, and you can pick up some treats at the general store next door. Our gift she is comfortable and nice, but the parking is tricky. Do not necessarily expect to park next to where you stay here. The green space and kids playground are exceptional. Looks like they are putting in a possible new pickleball court area as well!? We are really enjoying the tranquility here.

    Cindy O.

    Nice park in Boulder. Ample parking in their lot. Several different trails going across or going uphill. The trails going across are dirt, but nicely compacted. Trail going uphill is wide and paved with a few stops along to way to look out (or in my case, rest!). We went on a weekend day after it had snowed. Beautiful day and great for photos. Nice views of Boulder and UC Campus. Beautiful of the Flatirons. Definitely family friendly. Lots of dogs on walks as well. Great one to add to your "Things to do in Boulder List"!

    Hiking Chautauqua Park Trail
    Amanda L.

    My friends and I did the Chautauqua Park trail that goes a little ways up the Flatirons and then loops back around down to the base of the park. It was SUCH a delightful hike with a lot of varying terrain, beautiful overlook views of the entire city of Boulder and so much more of the foothills of these mountains as well! The hike is definitely a little bit challenging, I would rate it as moderate with its decently steep incline. The beginning and ending stretches are also fully exposed to the elements, no tree coverage, so keep that in mind for really sunny days. Once you're a little higher up and amidst the trees, the hike turns pretty pleasant and you pass by pockets of sunshine, creeks, event a snow bank here and there in mid-April. Chautauqua Park is a great place to hike, but also bring the whole group for photoshoots (we saw some graduation photos happening here) and picnics as well! Just bear in mind that the parking lot is pretty small given how large this park is, so plan to arrive earlier or later in the day if you want to easily find parking, prepare to do a couple laps during the busy hours and good weather days, or just plan to park along the street before and after the park's main road!

    Flatirons 04-15-2023
    Alana M.

    04-15-2023 What a beautiful place to be able to come to and take in the magnificent & iconic Flatirons as well as inhale the fresh mountain air! Chautauqua is pronounced shuh-TAW-kwuh. Parking was a beast. It was a packed parking lot and around. I probably shouldn't have come on a Saturday! Luckily, I found a spot after going around a couple times. It had snowed the day before and most of it had melted away. Once I reached the forest, the ground was a bit mushy & muddy mess in a few spots. There were places where the snow hadn't melted, too! This cooler weather made for a much more pleasant time for me to walk the paths. There are Port-a-Potties to the right of the Ranger Cottage (Station). If those aren't suitable to your preference, there are "better" restrooms on the left side of the Ranger Cottage. They are open even if the Ranger Station may not be, as was the case when I was there. While you're out hiking, there is a restroom at the Bluebell Shelter where there's a picnic area. I took a quick glance at the maps but should have taken a closer, more detailed look!! I started up the "Easiest" Chautauqua Loop (green marked path) towards the right on the map. If I had known what I knew when I came back on the green marked path towards the left, I would have used that path to go up. As par for the course, I ended up on the "Moderate" Flat Irons Loop. My intent was to make it to the Royal Arch, but by the time I wandered uphill through the forest on the uneven path, I was toast. I made it to the Royal Arch Trailhead and debated on testing myself. I opted out of going any further since it was a Black Diamond "Difficult" trek. Yes, this is a review written by another Californian visiting Colorado! And yes, the altitude does take some adjusting to! Drink plenty of water, too! It helps! Don't push yourself too hard and you'll enjoy your day here! No matter your reason for coming here, you're bound to be refreshed in the great outdoors with magnificent scenery! If I end up out here again in the future, and am able to do so, I would attempt to make it to the Royal Arch!

    Matt C.

    Can't beat Chautauqua Park for classic Boulder views! With decent parking, wonderful views and long trails, it's a must stop for new visitors and hiking enthusiasts alike. The parking can be tough on weekends and busy periods, but I've often gotten a spot by looping around. Once parked, you need to pay unless you're registered in boulder county. There are many nice trails to take, going to mountain peaks, ravines, meadows, forests, and even a natural rock arch! It's quite uphill and relentless. There are few flat spots unless you take a lower trail. Other parks like NCAR may offer flatter hiking. It's a wonderful park for every season!

    Sunrise (2/26/23)
    Matt C.

    I'm self aware. I know I can't add anything that hasn't been stated already. But I love coming here. And my pictures always pale in comparison. Chautauqua Park is a must for out-of-towners. And I think locals often forget how special this place is. Of course, there are ass-kicking trails to be blazed. It is the land of false summits after all. Not looking for a workout? Come here early in the morning or late afternoon to watch the sunrise or sunset. Especially in the winter when I'm not up for a hike, the sunrise off the Flatirons is spectacular. There are many trails to explore, I think Royal Arch is the top dog personally. It's just so dang pretty. The unique views of the Flatirons (to see how slanted they really are) are unforgettable. Bring a flask and gaze upon the city of Boulder in all its glory. *Pro tip* park in the lot for free on Sundays. No question it's a top attraction in Boulder. It's so close to town that it's busy most of the time. Can't blame everyone for going outside and doing the same thing you are. We're all just trying to find the best view, right? A park for all seasons. Thanks for being here, Chautauqua.

    Leena J.

    Go take a stroll here! One of the only free things left in this world and also BEAUTFUL! They do have metered parking but you could probably find a spot in the neighborhood- Incredible views. I don't go up the inclined hikes but just standing at the base was majestic.

    Cindy L.

    Everything was so green and absolutely stunning! It was a beautiful day to hike, clouds were forming but didn't storm. It was a great hike for all ages, you can decide how hard or challenging you want. I WOULD RECOMMEND

    View of the mountain.

    Beautiful views of the mountains and the city. Pretty flowers along the way. Took the short hike as it was a very hot day.

    Start of the trail
    Evangelene G.

    First time in the Boulder area visiting friends and we went here for our first hike. To look at the mountains from the parking lot is spectacular! Being a Californian, we had to pace ourselves with the high altitude. The hardest part for us was probably the paved path to the trail because of our lungs were still adjusting to the altitude. Once we adjusted, the hike got easier. We did notice the locals and little kids hiking or running up and down rocks like it's no big deal. We even saw locals wearing crocs and flip flops! Once you get past the paved area, there are several paths to choose. Part of the trail was closed, but we decided to go towards the flat irons with the goal to make it towards the arches. There were some parts where I thought to myself, "Can I do this?" but somehow I managed - the part with the rocks was intimidating. I did make it to the first flat irons, but knew my limits when it required climbing rocks to get to the top and the famed arches. My husband and daughter proceeded up the rocks, while my friend and I decided to take in the view (you can see Kansas from there), and slowly make our way back. I have to remind myself that it's all about the journey and taking in everything around me that made it special and memorable. There is a parking lot, but on full days, you may have to park off street or take the shuttle from the school. Restrooms are located near the restaurant but it's a pretty walk. Porta potties are near the lot if you can't wait that long.

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    3 years ago

    Very difficult and we work out often but beautiful! Just the right length! Cute gift shop and cafe also!

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    Ask the Community - Chautauqua Park

    Are there actual picnic tables here? Any short easy walks for an elderly person?

    Yes there is a nice grassy field out front that is flat with Punic tables however it is not very shaded. I would not recommend the actual trails for an elderly person or anyone who has difficulty walking however there are sidewalks and some… Read more

    What trail leads you across a Boulder field with the view of downtown?

    I think you're thinking of Royal Arch. Which just reopened.

    How are the insects in this park around September?

    Not too bad. Its not near any standing water. The meadows get some of the usual suspects but once you get under tree cover, you're fine. Colorado as a whole has much less insects than I grew up with on the east coast.

    Is this place open on Saturdays in June? What are some easy/moderate trails here?

    Park is open all year round during normal park hours.

    View All 5 Questions

    Review Highlights - Chautauqua Park

    You have some of the more popular trails (Royal Arch, Enchanted Mesa), but actual network of trails is huge!

    Mentioned in 38 reviews

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    Harlow Platts Park - Love the bridge

    Harlow Platts Park

    3.9(8 reviews)
    2.5 mi

    Great place for dog walks, picnics, and sunsets! You can see far into the flatirons and the…read morereflection across the lakes are spectacular! Winter is a great time to explore with the colors you can see. The pond scum comes a bit more in the summer but beautiful nonetheless. I've seen people fishing and kayaking there though I'm not sure either are allowed. I love being here for the nature! They have tennis courts and lots of walking trails. This is a great south boulder park that everyone should visit!

    I used to go to this park and the adjacent South Boulder Rec Center decades ago when I was in the…read moreTable Mesa neighborhood more frequently. After a long absence, I have returned to use the trail around Viele Lake as my preferred exercise location. Trying to get into a more regular walking routine, I needed to find a place that I could maintain a good pace, was not crowded and had interesting views. Nothing within walking distance of my house fits that description so I thought I should go see what is happening in this part of town. Yes, in the politics of Boulder, I do have to drive my "evil" car to this location, but traffic and parking is never an issue and I can be there in about 6 minutes. The view of the Flatirons from here is fantastic, the lake is pretty and the trees and parkland around it very pleasing. There are some playing fields behind the Rec Center that are used for practice groups from the nearby Fairview HS on many days. In the weekday mornings it is mostly a place to find seniors and parents with small kids in strollers on the paved trail. Also, an occasional school group doing a little investigating of the pond life. They have added restrooms and a picnic shelter recently near the playground. As new young families are buying up the nearby homes from retirees, there is a new sense of excitement and investment in the neighborhood and the playground is busy, though not over crowded, and has a nice mix of modern attractive equipment.

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    Harlow Platts Park
    Harlow Platts Park
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    Boulder Falls - Miss Mariko the Cavi's first time in the snow!

    Boulder Falls

    4.2(30 reviews)
    6.6 mi

    I love Boulder Falls…read more It's a quick drive from downtown Boulder, and it's so beautiful. Although it has stairs, it's a short walk from the parking lot. Just be careful of the street you have to cross from the parking lot. The walk from the parking lot is less than 15 minutes. The falls are beautiful in the summer and winter. It can get crowded, but most people don't stay long. In the summer, there are a few areas where you can get in the water. It's a really beautiful area.

    This is a local attraction in Boulder Canyon that I have visited occasionally since 1974 but…read more probably not in the last 20-30 years. With out of town guests who wanted to see it, we went up with them today which was hot even by 9am. Not ideal for me. There was adequate parking in a small lot on the south side of the Canyon, just before the crossover to the entrance to the short but steep hike.Being a Monday morning, not very busy. Be aware that weekends are extremely busy and not enough parking. I believe that the trail has been improved some over the years from our past memory of it. There are actually some steps cut into the steepest of the rock surfaces and some heavy duty chain handrails in the areas with he steepest drop off. We saw little kids as well as grandparents. so if I can still do it, many others can. Cooler weather would have been nice. The waterfall is quite pretty. It was roaring even in a drought because of a few heavy rains last weekend and such hot weather in this climate change era that the snow pack in the mountains is melting too quickly this summer. A must see if you are visiting this area. A many athletes do visit too.

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    Boulder Falls - The falls

    The falls

    Boulder Falls
    Boulder Falls - Boulder Falls.

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    Boulder Falls.

    Chautauqua Park - parks - Updated May 2026

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