20 Attractions to Explore Near Boulder Falls

The Switzerland Trail is an old railroad grade that zigzags across the mountains of Boulder County.Begin your adventure at either end. In the south, the trail starts below the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain off the road of the same name. From here it winds along a relatively level grade, gradually descending to Fourmile Canyon Drive, along Fourmile Creek. Regardless, the trail is popular with mountain bikers, ATVs and 4X4s, so whatever your mode of travel, be considerate of other trail users.

Gross Reservoir, located in Boulder County, Colorado, is owned and operated by Denver Water. Completed in 1954, the reservoir has a surface area of 440 acres, and the spillway sits at 7,225 feet elevation.The reservoir receives water from the western side of the Continental Divide through the Moffat Tunnel. South Boulder Creek flows out of the 340 foot-high dam.

Lost Gulch Overlook offers a stunning lookout over the forested foothills and mountains beyond. This short stop is common for sunset and sunrise views. The very short trail is also easy and simple for all skill levels. It is one of the most popular places in Boulder, CO for engagement sessions, elopements, and senior portraits.

Flagstaff Mountain is a foothill on the eastern flank of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. From the peak of Flagstaff Mountain one can see Boulder, Metropolitan Denver, and the surrounding mountains. There are hiking and bike trails, picnic areas, the Summit Nature Center, and an outdoor amphitheatre.

The Walker Ranch is a historic ranch in Boulder County, Colorado. The ranch was built by James A. Walker, who first settled in the Boulder area in 1865.Walker and his family initially lived in a log cabin on the ranch, which was built in 1865. In 1881, Walker and his family built and moved to a new ranch house. The ranch was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984 as the Walker Ranch Historic District.

Green Mountain is a mountain summit on the eastern flank of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. The mountain is renowned for the Flatirons rock formations on its eastern flank. The standard trailhead for a hike up Green is located in town at the base of Gregory Canyon on the perimeter of Chautauqua Park.

Mt. Sanitas, a hike near Boulder CO, offers three different options, from the difficult climb up the mountain, to an easy walk through a peaceful valley. It has high foot traffic and meanders both sides of the ridge leading to the Mount Sanitas summit. The terrain varies from open meadows to rugged boulders and projected rock outcrops.

The Peoples' Crossing is a park in Colorado located on Pearl Street. The Peoples' Crossing Trailhead provides access to the network of Red Rocks Trails. These trails climb up into ochre-colored sandstone spires and formations. From the summit, you'll have a beautiful view of the city of Boulder below.

The First is a huge Flatiron with many good face routes starting from the bottom to the top of the East side It dominates the northern end of the Flatirons and is home to some of the longest routes in the area. The massive east face hosts many fine slab climbs while the other faces sweep up to offer many greater challenges. Hike from urban to wilderness by starting at Bluebell-Baird Trail to transition west onto First-Second Flatiron Trail.

This is Colorado’s oldest scenic byway, established in 1918. The route winds 55 miles in and out of national forest lands through some of the state’s most striking mountain landscapes and is very easily accessible from Boulder and Denver. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 8 h 0 min to complete. This is a very popular area for scenic driving, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring.

One of the most spectacular city views in the country. The dramatic rock outcroppings as well as the hiking trails will afford life-long memories. The Flatirons consist of conglomeratic sandstone of the Fountain Formation. Geologists estimate the age of these rocks as 290 to 296 million years; they were lifted and tilted into their present orientation. They are popular destinations for hikers and rock climbers, with rock grades ranging from easy to world-class.

Caribou Ranch Open Space Park is a park located near Nederland. It has over 3.14 miles of trail for recreational visitors. It is open to hikers, horse back riders, and trail runners. Mountain bikes and dogs are not allowed in the park area. This park is connected to Mud Lake Open Space Park by the Caribou Ranch Link. Caribou Ranch is closed April 1 through June 30 to protect spring migratory birds and elk calving and rearing.

Royal Arch is a stunning rock formation located 1.2 miles from downtown Boulder. It is a heavily trafficked, classic Boulder trail that leads to a natural stone arch with great views of Boulder and the Flatirons.The trail starts near the Bluebell Shelter and goes up, passing the base of the Third Flatiron. Bears and mountain lions live in the area, so know what to do if you encounter one.

The Peak to Peak Scenic Byway is one of the most beautiful drives through Colorado. it begins as state highway 7 in Estes Park, brings you past the tiny town of Allenspark on state highway 72, then heads to Nederland. This scenic drive is beautiful year-round, but it’s especially popular in the fall, when the mountains burst into life with the shimmering golden leaves of the changing aspen trees.

Bear Peak is generally considered to be at the southern end of Boulder's Flatirons range, rock formations on the westernmost part of the city. The 8,459-foot peak is located in Boulder Mountain Park, 5.2 miles south-southwest of downtown Boulder in Boulder County,In addition to hiking, Bear Peak has at least three rock climbing formations directly adjacent — The Slab, The Goose, and Seal Rock.

Colorado Chautauqua is one of three remaining Chautauquas in the United States, and the only site west of the Mississippi River, in continuous operation, with its original structures intact. It is also home to the Colorado Music Festival and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2006. According to its governing body, the Colorado Chautauqua Association, it is also unique in that it is the only year-round Chautauqua.

Pearl Street Mall is one of the most popular and beloved Boulder attractions, with hundreds of local stores, restaurants, breweries and so more. It is a gathering place for Boulderites and visitors, where musicians and performers fill the air with festive noise. It is filled with public art, including numerous fountains and sculptures as well as a sandbox for children, a stylized map of Boulder County and a number of small gardens which are planted with a variety of flowers and trees.

The Mesa Trail has to be one of the best and most famous short trails in the country. It runs 6.7 miles from Chautauqua Park in Boulder to Eldorado Springs Drive, following a rolling and very scenic route along the foothills, with spectacular views of Boulder's famous Flatirons.

The Boulder Creek path is popular, 5.5-mile multi-use path that extends to Boulder Canyon on the west end and Stazio Ballfields on the east end. It is apt for walkers, bikers and skaters leads from Boulder proper into the mountains, winding its way along Boulder Creek, a large park and a playground.

Boulder Farmers Market is a growers-only farmers market in Colorado on Wednesday nights and Saturdays named USA Today's Best Farmers Market in 2015. You’ll see local chefs buying their ingredients for the week, locals who make a market visit their weekly ritual and visitors gathering to shop, eat and spend time in Boulder’s beautiful outdoors.