BoulderWise

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Boulder has 46,000 protected acres of park and mountain land for you to explore and miles of stunning trails. In minutes, you can be wandering through a quiet forest or trekking up a steep mountain peak. While accessing these areas is easy, being prepared is essential. 

• Food and water Boulder has a semi-arid climate and sits at 5,430 feet above sea level, so you may experience dehydration more easily. Always bring plenty of water and snacks for your adventure. 
• Sun protection Wear plenty of sunscreen, shades and a hat, as sunburns are common when you are thousands of feet closer to the sun. 
• Attire Weather in Boulder can change very quickly (it’s part of why the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) is based here!), so pack clothes to protect you from the cold and rain. Check out our What to Pack guide for every season.
• Shoes Protect your feet by wearing sturdy, closed-toed shoes with good traction. Even shorter trails may be steep and rocky.  
• Choose non-peak times Boulder’s beauty brings many people to the city and its outdoor spaces. Opt for places with minimal crowds to maximize your connection with the Great Outdoors. If checking out one of our more popular areas, such as Chautauqua, arrive early or visit late in the day on weekdays. You can also check live trailhead webcams in advance.
• Summer hiker shuttles Save yourself from parking hassles and use one of our free trailhead shuttles that run on weekends through the summer months.
• Use the thumb trick If you see wildlife, raise your hand to eye level with your thumb pointing up. If the animal disappears behind your thumb, you are generally at a safe distance. If not, you are too close and need to find a safe way to distance yourself from the animal.

STICK TO TRAILS

Boulder is interlaced with over 150 miles of cherished trails. These are some of our most cherished spaces, with something for everyone to explore.

• Walk or ride in the middle of the trail, even if it's wet and muddy to prevent erosion, trail widening, or damaging trailside plants. 
• Watch your step If you want to stop to take a break or enjoy the view, step off the trail and onto a durable surface such as rock, bare dirt or dry grass. 
• Check for closures Trails sometimes close due to muddy conditions, sensitive wildlife conditions or plant regeneration. Look for signs indicating a trail is closed or use the interactive OSMP trail maps to check. Natural items such as logs or rocks laid across a path may indicate a trail that is closed. 

PRACTICE PETIQUETTE

Boulder adores pets! In fact, our city ordinances refer to pet owners as “guardians”! In Boulder, you’ll be part of a community of dog moms and dads taking care to keep their pups and wildlife safe while recreating outdoors. 

• Scoop the poop Your pet’s number two is our number one issue in open space. Prevent the spread of disease and pollution of local water sources by picking up and carrying out your dog poop. Please don’t leave your bags on the side of the trail, even temporarily.
• Leash up Please keep your pet on leash where required. In Boulder you may be able to apply for a Voice and Sight tag to hike with your dog off-leash on designated trails. 
• Passing with pups Do not let your pet approach people or their dogs when passing on the trail. Instead, help everyone enjoy their time on the trail by stepping off the trail onto a durable surface, or leash up to pass others.  
• Wildlife encounters Keep pets leashed and controlled around wildlife to protect both parties from injury, and never allow pets to chase wild animals, which causes them to expend essential energy they need to survive. 
• Hydrated and happy Boulder is a dry climate, so be sure to bring along water for your dog when hiking or playing outside.
• Paws off Pets aren’t allowed on Pearl Street between 11th and 15th Streets, at the Boulder Reservoir in summer, or at the Boulder Farmers' Market. There are, however, lots of other pet-friendly places.

TRASH YOUR TRASH

Whether enjoying a hiking trail, a city park or walking around Pearl Street, properly disposing of your waste will make you a local hero. Trash and litter are unsightly, take a significant time to break down, and can be harmful to wildlife. 

• Pack it out Always carry out all your trash, whether a plastic candy wrapper or apple core or pet waste. Many of our trailheads and park spaces have trash cans and recycling receptacles, making it easy to dispose of waste correctly. 
• Recycle right At the bin, take a moment to read signage about what can be recycled. If you still aren’t sure, it is always best to throw it away. 
• Compost with care Many public places and restaurants offer compost bins that accept food waste only. Some trailheads in the city have cans specifically for disposing of pet waste in compostable bags. Taking an extra second to use these bins is a great way to divert waste from landfills.

BRING YOUR OWN REUSABLES 

You’ll notice a lot of people in Boulder toting their “emotional support water bottles” — it’s a way of life. When you bring your own water bottle, shopping bag and mug, you fit right in and save our environment from unnecessary waste. 

• Bring a bottle Arriving with your own, reusable water bottle will help you stay hydrated during your trip and reduce waste, too. Add a couple of stickers and you will feel like a local before you know it! 
• Bring a bag Colorado has a retail bag tax and has banned plastic bags at grocery stores. Come prepared to stash your picnic items or provisions in a reusable sack to save money and resources.
• Bring a cup Boulder is a top coffee shop city, so caffeinate in style with your own insulated mug to prevent paper or plastic cup waste — and enjoy a discount at many coffeehouses in town when you purchase or bring your own mug.

CULTIVATE KINDNESS

Millions of visitors and residents enjoy Boulder’s natural spaces each year. While some folks may go outside to spend time with family and friends, others may enjoy the peace of nature alone. No matter how you spend time outside, be kind to others and considerate of their experience. 

• Right of way When hiking or running, uphill users have the right of way. If you are a biker, yield to hikers, runners and equestrians. Everyone yields to people using assistive devices. 
• Check your speed Stay in control when moving quickly on the trails, whether running, skiing or riding a bike. 
• Communicate courteously Before passing others, politely announce your presence and pass with caution.
• Be aware of others around you and how your noise levels, music or phone calls might affect their experience. 
• Mute the music If you choose to listen to music as part of your time outdoors, wear one earbud so as to not to disturb others but still be aware of your surroundings. 
• Be kind to everyone you meet on the trail, even if how they choose to spend time outside might look different than yours. Being kind and considerate to others outdoors helps build more inclusive spaces and allows everyone a personal connection to nature.

BE A TRANSIT HERO

Practicing Leave No Trace in Boulder goes beyond the city’s parks and trails. You can help protect our shared spaces by using alternative transportation to get to your hotel, hike, dinner and back. 

• Bus Boulder has a robust public bus system, in addition to the free summer hiker shuttles, that include the easy-to-use HOP, SKIP and JUMP lines offering frequent low-cost routes to the major tourist areas. Google Maps and the Transit app are helpful tools for planning your route and checking schedules. 
• Walk Stretch those legs and enjoy a nice walk through the city. Boulder is relatively compact, making walking from one place to another a breeze.
• Bike Boulder is a city made for biking, with more than 300 miles of bikeway. Rent a bike from a local shop or check out an electric, pedal-assist bicycle from a public BCycle kiosk to make cruising around town easy for anyone, even if this is your first time at elevation. 
• Scooter Lime scooters are found on corners or near sidewalks around the city. Just be sure to return your scooter to a Lime Grove when done and make sure it doesn’t block the sidewalk for those traveling in wheelchairs or with mobility devices.

Need assistance getting around? View our accessibility tips.