Flagstaff Mountain
Flagstaff Mountain
4.7
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Located close to downtown Boulder, this mountain offers climbing and hiking trails with sweeping views of the city.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.7
301 reviews
Excellent
226
Very good
65
Average
7
Poor
1
Terrible
2
itsasmallworld2015
Sarnia, Canada68 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
This was our first excursion up a mountain with hairpin bends for quite some time. I was uncomfortable at first but soon got used to it even with all those crazy Coloradans cycling uphill! We went straight to the nature centre (by accident) and put our $5 in the envelope as requested. We weren't sure what to do but decided to take the Scout Trail. This turned out to be a great choice. The views over Boulder were great and then around the corner the views towards the Rockies and Longs Peak were even better. If you are up to a little scramble take the path to Mays Point -just gorgeous views. We probably took about an hour and half including a break for a picnic.
Written October 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ken D
Beavercreek, OH124 contributions
Apr 2019
The drive up Flagstaff is scary for those not acquainted with hairpin turns especially with a local on your tail. Growing up in Boulder, this was a great spot to come and it was free entertainment. Now there is a charge except for those with local plates on their vehicle. This is to cut down on traffic I guess. Anyway, the view is awesome from up in the flatirons. Do, pay for it, you won't be sorry!
Written February 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
familyis4ever
Springfield, MO463 contributions
Mar 2021 • Family
We drove up to the summit and paid $5 for a day of parking. The drive alone was beautiful but the views from the top were incredible! Boulder recently had a big snow and it was beginning to melt. It made it a little difficult to navigate on foot and it made me nervous how close young teenagers were getting to the edge, but all was well. We did see several park rangers during our visit and that was comforting.
Written March 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lindsay0215
Pittsburgh, PA1,149 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
This was a really great drive up to the summit. We stopped many times while going up to take in the scenic views. We also stopped in the Nature Center and met Joe- he was so personable and knowledgeable about the area. It was a pleasure talking with him.
Written August 4, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kristinn901
Shakopee, MN65 contributions
Jul 2020
Went up to Tenderfoot trail with family last week and it was well worth the short drive from downtown Boulder. We drove up at 10AM and parking lots were starting to clear out. By the time we left about noon, parking lots were only half full. Loved the views and trails were well maintained. At least later in the morning, I drove as slow as I felt comfortable driving and felt no pressure to go faster.
Written July 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ericlinatl
Sugar Hill, GA25 contributions
Jul 2020
Drove waaay up to get to the Tenderfoot Trail. Easy 1.5 mile out and back and some really incredible views. Plenty of parking, trail was well-marked. Recommend for people who want to get outside but aren't conditioned to more strenuous hiking.
Written July 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Phil G
Washington DC, DC311 contributions
Jan 2024 • Family
Definitely check out Flagstaff Mountain if you are in Boulder. You can drive up the curvy road or hike the trails or bike. We drove up and stopped at Lost Gulch. There is a small parking lot and you can walk out and check out the beautiful view of Boulder and the Rocky Mountains.
Written January 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Selena S
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States87 contributions
Jul 2022
We stumbled apon this mountain while looking for Flatirons. We drove up to the top and what great views of Boulder and the surounding mountains. It was so peaceful and quiet. They have a senory walk for the impaired.
We walked around the nature center and then down to the amphitheater. There was a wedding going on! What a great venue.
This is a nice trip up the mountain if you have time. Unfortunitely we did not get to hike around.
Parking was a little crazy. Luckily we had $5 so we just put it in the envelope.
We walked around the nature center and then down to the amphitheater. There was a wedding going on! What a great venue.
This is a nice trip up the mountain if you have time. Unfortunitely we did not get to hike around.
Parking was a little crazy. Luckily we had $5 so we just put it in the envelope.
Written July 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Arthur G
New York City, NY1,785 contributions
Feb 2016 • Friends
We were in Boulder for a long weekend, surrounded by the Flagstaff Mountain so we took a twenty minute ride up the mountain !the drive requires great driving dexterity with lots of scenic sights. We drove up to The Summit. Parked our car, paid the $5 parking fee and hiked up to The Summit where there is a picnic area and lots of trails as well as restroom facilities.
Written February 15, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Connector10101
Orlando, Fl1 contribution
I lived on Flagstaff Mountain for two years...attended Fairview High. Flagstaff mountain offers the most unbelievable views over the Rocky Mountain divide and the wildlife is still abound...bears, deer and coyote. Fond memories are what I have of Flagstaff...hope to be back soon. I can still smell the wildflowers if I try....Sit up on Flagstaff during the 4th of July and you'll see a sight you'll never forget. Try to catch aurora borealis too! AWESOME...
Written March 30, 2003
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Where can we Hammock for a few hours around Boulder (not overnight) .... ? Can you do it off the trail to hike Flagstaff?
Written July 24, 2018
We see people in hammocks all over Boulder and you can certainly find a spot on Flagstaff. My only comment is that the Flagstaff trail, while beautiful, gets a lot of noise from Flagstaff Rd that intertwines with it as they make their way up to Flagstaff hill. As other reviewers have said, the best place for solitude is at the top of Flagstaff where there is less traffic. There are some nice, quiet area off the other trails that meet at the top like Boy Scout, Ute, and Range View. You can also part at Realization Point just below the top of Flagstaff and take Ranger trail toward Green Mountain Lodge. Around the lodge and on up Ranger there are some nice shady places perfect for quiet hammock time.
Written July 25, 2018
We will be visiting in August. We are not hikers so are wondering if this is worth the drive in order to see some beautiful scenery and photo opportunities. Thanks.
Written February 25, 2018
Absolutely. It not a long drive out of Boulder at all. It is at max 15 because if the two lane road. Very easy drive a worth it. It is a quick ride and hike if you don’t have a lot of time. You will really like it. Take water and and enjoy the hike.
Written February 26, 2018
Is the trail up Flagstaff well marked / easy to follow? I am not a super experienced hiker
Written March 2, 2017
Hello. Just going to be in Boulder for the day (this Friday). I wanted to show my daughter the CU campus, then get a bite to eat on Pearl St. then drive up a mountain to possibly see snow. Is there snow up on the mountain and is it easy to drive up there? Thanks
Written March 1, 2017
I was there a week or so ago and there were just tiny patches of snow here and there. The road up there is very windy and steep in spots, but we didn't have any problem in our rental sedan. Our biggest concern were the tons of other people parked all over the place, bicyclists, hikers, wandering stoners, etc.
This is a very short drive from the CU campus, though. If you drove for ten minutes from campus in this direction you'd know what you're in for pretty quickly. The view is DEFINITELY worth driving up there for, snow or not. You get an aerial view of the campus and the whole town of Boulder. Check it out!
Written March 2, 2017
Camping isn't allowed in Boulder's Open Space and Mountain Parks area, which is the area Flagstaff is in. If you do a web search for camping near Flagstaff you can find some nearby (though not easily walkable) places.
Written July 15, 2016
I'm a local. What's called the "summit" isn't really the summit but I'll assume you mean the area from which you have beautiful views to the east of Boulder and to the west of the Front Range mountains. Driving from the base (Chautauqua Park) to the summit takes no more than 15 minutes if you don't stop at any of the overlooks. (Remember to pay for a parking pass at the pay station at the first parking lot's overlook (Panorama Point) if you haven't already paid elsewhere in Boulder County though.) When you're almost at the summit, turn right onto Flagstaff Summit Rd (I believe there's a sign that says "Realization Point") to drive to a parking lot that's at the east-facing summit. Then you can either walk from there 5 minutes along the road to Artist's Point to look westward, or drive up to the small parking area that's nearly at the point. I recommend doing the Sensory Tour adjacent to Artist's Point (starts next to the pit toilets) to read about the types of rock we have in the Boulder area, and of course to smell the "butterscotch trees". Also if you want an easy 1 mile hike near the summit, you can park at Realization Point (the few parking spots there fill up FAST in summer so go very early!) and hike up the Range View Trail and back the Ute Trail. The Sensory Trail can also be accessed from a little spur trail off Range View/Ute. Have fun!
Written June 5, 2016
Going to Boulder for the first time and only have about a day and a half to see the city. Would love to travel up Flagstaff Mountain but I will be without a car. Any suggestions?
Written October 8, 2015
You will need a car to drive up the Flagstaff, unless you bike it. Suggest a bus ride to Chautauqua Park, enjoy the various hikes, and then bus to Pearl St. There will be street performances, shops, and plenty places to eat. Good luck!
Written October 9, 2015
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