By this weekend (9/28), we should be approaching peak colors here in Boulder! Fall is my favorite season, and I love a good family hike to explore the changing colors. If you have young kids like mine who enjoy being IN the leaves but aren’t up for a long drive, check out these nearby hikes and enjoy the colors.
While we’ve ditched our stroller on hikes (mostly), when my kids were younger, I sought out mostly stroller-friendly trails in case their little legs became tired. Here are three of my top picks for relatively flat, stroller-friendly fall hikes with kids in Boulder,
Bobolink Trail
I love this trail for several reasons:
- It is relatively flat.
- You can pick it up from the East Boulder Recreation Center, which has bathrooms, parking, and a playground.
- Bikes are allowed on the paved sections but not the pedestrian trail along the creek.
This hike is excellent for young kids to enjoy the leaves and have fun near the creek. I’ve taken several different stroller types along the pedestrian trail, too, and would say it is stroller-friendly for the most part.
Wonderland Lake
This loop path around Wonderland Lake is also stroller-friendly and offers pretty views. You may also catch glimpses of paragliders soaring over the mountains. Wonderland Lake Park offers a small playground for kids. Most of the surface is rubberized if your little one tries putting wood chips in their mouth.
Sawhill and Walden Ponds
This interconnected trail system offers beautiful views and often teems with several different bird species. My kids especially like the boardwalks here. There is plenty of parking, beautiful views, and, again, relatively flat terrain.
Pair this adventure with a trip to the nearby Munson Farms farmstand at 7455 Valmont Rd. They host a small, free pumpkin patch every year (only pay for the pumpkins, no entry fee) and have several fruits, veggies, and other tasty treats available.
Happy exploring!
