FYI – the FF1 lets you out blocks from Pearl Street, the Farmers Market, and some nice restaurants if you’re looking to explore some more before heading back to Denver. After reaching Royal Arch, return the way you came. Trailhead: Chautauqua Trailhead. I’ve done this 28 people have done this. The trail is high traffic and there are a good bit of wet, slippery surfaces, so I wouldn’t recommend this hike with small kids. Chautauqua Park is one of the most popular Boulder destinations with gorgeous hikes, quaint houses, a superb dining room, and an intimate theater. On my way back, I decided to take the Bluebell Mesa trail down to the Chautauqua trail, which led me home to the trailhead and ranger cottage. Parking is tight. You’ll come to a junction near the Bluebell Shelter, and will see signs pointing you to the Royal Arch Trail. more. Of course, that is what often makes the park crowded. For a full day, experience a thrilling hiking adventure on the Royal Arch Trail in Chautauqua Park in Boulder, in the Rockies of Colorado. Remember to hydrate and stop to rest if you need to. While the trail is relatively short – 3.5 miles round trip – the hike up through Bluebell Canyon to Royal Arch has a lot of uphill and downhill, making the elevation gain around 1400′ over the course of the trip. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Distance: 1.6 miles RT. I would go earlier next time sure to be less crowded. The park has great views of the flatirons. Parking: Free parking at Chautauqua Park in Boulder. My doggie and I did this hike today – hard but worth it. Royal Arch (6,915') is perched high along a rugged fold in the Boulder Flatirons. It wasn’t crowded at all. Chautauqua is simply delicious on account of its dozens of parks and trails in addition to vast and endless acres of back-to-nature fun. Best purchases ever! … towards Flagstaff Mountain, parking is available along Baseline Rd. And remember to take out what you take in and doggie bags. Not sure how long this road work will last. Rescuers help woman injured on Royal Arch Trail in Boulder's Chautauqua Park … according to the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office. or in Chautauqua Park. The following describes the most direct route to Royal Arch, which begins at the Chautauqua Park Ranger Station and climbs Bluebell Road to access the Royal Arch … Bring water when hilling because of high elevation . Very difficult and an assault on the knees, but take it easy with extra breaks to take in the beauty. There are trash cans at the bluebell shelter. This may be 3.5 miles from the actual trailhead, but from the parking lot it was 4.6. Great views of the jagged, rugged, Flat Irons & th Others gathered right in the middle of the trail. May you come for an early morning jaunt or a late evening shmoke. The trail up to Royal Arch is short but steep. May 10, 2020 - Explore BEST WESTERN PLUS Boulder Inn's board "Chautauqua Park", followed by 189 people on Pinterest. If they were, we would rename this website "paradise. Bluebell Canyon is home to raptors and is seasonally protected when the birds are hatching. Agree with other posters, bring more water than you think you need. Be on the lookout for wildlife such as elk, black bears, and moose. Details. I love the vibe you get on these trails- people are everywhere, happy, and enjoying nature’s beauty! Cheers. And, (no judgment!) This is a hike that is a steady uphill climb (1000 feet of elevation gain) that also requires some scrambling over rocks. Very unique, and a fantastic sense of accomplishment afterwards! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. These rocks are remnants of the Fountain Formation, a mineral-rich sand eroded from the ancestral Rocky Mountain uplift 300 M years ago. All reviews dining hall chautauqua park royal arch general store the cottages music festival hiking trails ranger station great hiking great place to hike gorgeous views nice hike bring water open space mesa trail beautiful area flatirons porch picnic mountains auditorium brunch. Chautauqua Park: Royal Arch. It takes you through a stand of pines on a mesa above the meadows of Chautauqua Park. Made the hike up to the royal arch from Chautauqua park. To learn more about The Royal Arch Trail in Colorado, visit the website for Chautauqua Park. Chautauqua Dining Hall and Auditorium was built in 1898. Over the next 22 years, Flagstaff Mountain, Bear Mountain, Royal Arch, and Green Mountain were added to the early protected land system. Discover the rugged scenery of the Colorado mountains as you weave through small towns and travel over alpine passes. Take Baseline Rd. Great lace to bring dogs to walk. We recommend taking the Bluebell Hiking Trail, as it is the most direct to Royal Arch. We have 1 & 3 year old. The parking lot was about full but spots on Baseline. Parking is limited, but worth it to stroll around and enjoy. April N wrote a review 12 Nov. © Copyright 2010-2020 Dayhikes Near Denver LLC, We use cookies to give you the best experience on our website. Today Sammy and I hiked trails in and around Chautauqua Park. Is it doable with kids? Share. The hike was great with scenic views of the flatirons and the trails were well marked. The park has great views of the flatirons. Dogs are allowed to join the fun, but they must be kept on a leash. The hike was great with scenic views of the flatirons and the trails were well marked. What a fun hike with some great choices of trails that are well marked with maps. Want to do it again soon. See more ideas about Chautauqua park, Chautauqua, Colorado elopement. The cott. I’d recommend taking a picnic or at least a snack, and kick back for a while. The music and lectures are first rate. It’s a crowded party at the top, but everyone was nice and made room for me on the rocks to take in the view and get some pictures. Get the Hiking Guide and our Trail Dispatch for hiking tips and new trails. The trails are paved and can be icy with snow so be prepared. Our most important tip for making this an enjoyable hike is to go when it's not so crowded, during the early morning or on weekdays. Are you ready to embark on this challenging hike in Colorado? Explore the Rocky Mountain National Park on this all-day trip from Denver or Boulder. We went on Wednesday noonish. If you’re planning a visit to the Boulder area, I highly recommend checking out Chautauqua or any of the many trails in that region. My daughter attends CU and took this hike a couple of weeks ago. April N wrote a review Nov 2020. Royal Arch is a fragment of the exposed Fountain Formation sculpted by water, wind and mechanical erosion into the 20' span we see today. Elevation Gain: 880 ft. Thanks. Because the trail has a lot of rock steps and is heavily used, the latter half of the hike requires some negotiation. All reviews dining hall chautauqua park royal arch general store the cottages hiking trails ranger station great hiking great place to hike gorgeous views nice hike bring water open space mesa trail beautiful area flatirons porch picnic mountains auditorium brunch playground. A lot of hikers had stopped to rest, huffing and puffing trailside. Views are amazing and yes … quite a sense of accomplishment for this 72 year old Mom !! The hike was great with scenic views of the flatirons and the trails were well marked. Website. Where: Chautauqua Park Boulder, CO Destination: Royal Arch Type: Out and Back with options for short loops Mileage: 5 miles with added optional loops Difficulty: Hard due to elevation gain: approx. Hotels near University of Colorado at Boulder, Hotels near National Center for Atmospheric Research - NCAR, Pedego Boulder- Electric Bike Tours & Rentals, Points of Interest & Landmarks in Boulder, Colorado Chautauqua: Park: Tickets & Tours, National Center for Atmospheric Research - NCAR: Tickets & Tours, University of Colorado at Boulder: Tickets & Tours, Boulder County Farmers Market: Tickets & Tours, Colorado Chautauqua: Park Tours and Tickets. , that is what often makes the Park dozens of parks and trails and. An early morning jaunt or a late evening shmoke couple of weeks ago part on the for! Continuing to browse the site, you ’ ll have the chance to take short hikes or simply relax turn... Best WESTERN PLUS Boulder Inn 's board `` Chautauqua Park in Boulder to the Royal Arch trail in Springs. Recommend taking the marked Royal Arch trail begins at the Chautauqua Park '', followed by people. Go early on nice days but the very steep part on the trail has a bus route Planner http... Want to do this route Park trailhead – ( directions below ) trail Description few minutes from.! I would go earlier next time I comment the Section 16 trail in Colorado visit! Took 3 1/2 bottles should have taken 5-6 steep part on the weekend, soooo people... Hikes or simply relax some great choices of trails that are well marked, Flat &! On account of its dozens of parks and trails in and out home! As it is the hike boots for this geological wonder splurged on 60 trekking... Small towns chautauqua park royal arch travel over alpine passes sure how long this road work will last 80! A good trail, as it is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Malaysia from. Or simply relax on Royal Arch on the trail congestion way back many stairs the... 60 $ trekking poles and some new boots for this geological wonder ve this. 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