From Switchbacks to Summit: The Golden, Colorado Side of the Lariat Loop
Lookout Mountain in Golden, Colorado — like the U.S. Forest Service — is the land of many uses. Top to bottom, up and over, it's one of the most rewarding places to hike, bike, climb, and explore in the entire Front Range. Whether you're after a quick 20-minute scenic detour or a full day of outdoor adventure near Denver, Lookout Mountain meets you exactly where you are.
Lookout Mountain Road switchbacks its way up Mount Zion, and after roughly 20 minutes of driving, visitors pass the legendary Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave before arriving at the Lookout Mountain Nature Center and Preserve. The route, a part of the Lariat Loop, has been drawing scenic drivers and adventurers for more than a century. It continues down the far side of the mountain toward the communities of Evergreen and Morrison, with more trailheads and hidden gems tucked along the way.
Below is your roadmap (wink, wink!) to everything Lookout Mountain has to offer.
Mile 0: Chimney Gulch Trailhead
Coordinates: 39°45'01.2"N 105°13'52.5"W
This trail kicks off right along U.S. Highway 6 in Golden, just south of the entrance to Clear Creek Canyon. The full route is a 7.1-mile roundtrip with just under 2,000 feet of elevation gain, taking you on foot from the base of Lookout Mountain all the way to its summit. Along the way you'll move through shaded forests, cross streams, and intersect Lookout Mountain Road a handful of times before reaching the top. You can also reach the Chimney Gulch Trail via the Clear Creek Trail south spur, tucked between the CSM ball fields and Clear Creek.
It's one of the best hikes near Golden, CO for those who want to earn their views.
Mile 0: Lookout Mountain Road Towers
Coordinates: 39°44'25.9"N 105°13'39.9"W
Right at the base of Lookout Mountain Road, a pair of iconic stone towers greet drivers and cyclists arriving for the climb. Built in 1917, these landmarks have been welcoming adventurers to the Lariat Loop for over a century, and they're a pretty great photo op before you even get started.
Mile 0.5: Chimney Gulch Crossing
Coordinates: 39°44'33.7"N 105°14'05.0"W
Another access point for the Chimney Gulch Trail, this spot along Lookout Mountain Road offers additional parking if the trailhead lot is full. A great alternative starting point, especially on busy weekends.
Mile 1.4: Lookout Mountain Crag
Address: 988–1932 Lookout Mountain Rd, Golden, CO 80401
Tucked into the hillside, the Lookout Mountain Crag is a shaded cliff with trad, sport, and top-rope climbing options. It's a compact spot with just enough variety to keep things interesting. Before heading up, stop by Bent Gate Mountaineering in downtown Golden to grab a Golden Climbing guidebook, essential reading for exploring the area's climbing.
Mile 1.8: Lariat Scenic View & Mount Zion Climbing Access
Coordinates: 39°44'52.5"N 105°14'38.2"W
This pullout is one of the best sunset spots in Golden, Colorado, looking out over the city and northwest toward Clear Creek Canyon. Come for the view, stay for the discovery: directly across the road, a short trail leads rock climbers to the Tiers of Zion, a lesser-known climbing area tucked high on the northwest face of Mount Zion. Shaded, generally a little more relaxed on the rattlesnake front, and home to multipitch routes alongside single-pitch options, it's a true locals' favorite. If you haven't been, it deserves a dedicated visit. Just note that Lookout Mountain Road closes to vehicles an hour after sunset..
Mile 2.1: The 'M'
Coordinates: 39°44'46.3"N 105°14'23.1"W
A small parking area here offers a direct view of the Colorado School of Mines 'M,' a landmark that's been part of Golden's skyline for more than a hundred years. The tradition: incoming freshmen hike up with a 10-pound rock from their hometown to add to the "M," while graduating seniors carry a rock back down with them to take into the next chapter of their lives. It's one of those Golden, CO details that sticks with you.
Mile 3: Windy Saddle Park
Coordinates: 39°44'13.5"N 105°14'43.3"W
One of the crown jewels of the Lookout Mountain experience, Windy Saddle sits right at the summit and delivers views in every direction. The Chimney Gulch Trail tops out here, making it a natural stopping or starting point for hikers looking to do a partial ascent. Picnic tables, open views, and a genuine sense of having arrived all come standard, and the Lookout Mountain Trail continues from here up to the peak.
Windy Saddle also serves as the trailhead for the Beaver Brook Trail, an almost 14-mile roundtrip route heading deep into the mountains to the west. A longer commitment, but an excellent one.
Mile 4.7: Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave
Address: 987½ Lookout Mountain Rd, Golden, CO 80401
This is the one that tends to surprise visitors the most. Buffalo Bill Cody, showman, scout, and larger-than-life figure of the American West, is buried right here on Lookout Mountain, and the museum nearby is well worth the visit. Educational exhibits trace his remarkable and complicated life, the views from the hilltop are expansive, and they host special events throughout the year.
Even if you're just passing through, the overlook is a worthwhile stop.
Mile 5.7: Lookout Mountain Preserve and Nature Center
Address: 910 Colorow Rd, Golden, CO
The Nature Center sits at Golden's highest point, offering free naturalist led programs and regular events like yoga with a park ranger. The adjoining preserve features 1.5 miles of easy trails through forest and meadow, perfect for a cool summer stroll among ponderosa pines, with a good chance of spotting Abert's squirrels and mule deer. Check current hours online before visiting.
Ready to Explore Lookout Mountain?
From the Chimney Gulch Trailhead at the base to the Lookout Mountain Nature Center at the summit, Lookout Mountain in Golden, CO offers something to discover at every mile marker. Take an hour. Take an afternoon. Take the whole day.
The mountain will meet you wherever you are.
Plan your visit to Golden, Colorado at VisitGolden.com
