Colorado Hiking: Apex Park

I had the pleasure of hiking within Apex Park, near Golden, CO, a few weeks ago with some friends (before these crazy, daily thunderstorms we’ve been having this June!). Apex offers a variety of terrain – I loved the bubbling stream running alongside the trail in the beginning of the hike (the pictures don’t do it justice!), followed by the dense (“Enchanted”) forest providing shade on the west end of the park.

Apex Park is a popular hiking spot due to its proximity to the Denver metro area. Be sure to keep reading for info on alternating even and odd days for hikers, bikers, and equestrians.

Location

Apex Park is located about 25 miles west (and a little south) of the Central Park neighborhood. The park offers just over 10 miles of trails within 702 acres of the Colorado foothills, just minutes from downtown Golden, CO.

Apex Trailhead
121 County Highway 93
Golden, CO 80401

Difficulty

This hike is rated as MODERATE. There is some elevation gain (700 – 1500 ft depending on the trails you choose), which is gradual in some areas and steeper in others. There are also parts of the hike that are rocky, so you’ll want to wear sturdy shoes, and maybe bring a hiking pole or stick if you have one (but you can certainly navigate the trails without one as well).

There are several different trails located within Apex Park.

Magic Mountain, Argos, Apex, and Enchanted Forest Trail is a 5.5 mile loop with a 1,243 ft elevation gain.

Apex Trail to Enchanted Forest Loop is a 3.4 mile loop with a 784 ft elevation gain.

Apex and Pick N’ Sledge Trail is a 6.7 mile loop with 1,473 ft in elevation gain.

Apex and Pick N’ Sledge Loop is a 3.9 mile loop with a 997 ft gain in elevation.

Who is it suitable for?

While we saw people of all ages enjoying this hike, it may not be suitable for everyone. Young children may not be able to navigate the rocky areas. People with limited mobility may also find the terrain or elevation gain challenging. Be sure to bring plenty of water, hike at a pace comfortable for you, and watch your footing on those rocks.

Some Additional Info

Check the signage at the trailhead as the park is on an alternating schedule to accommodate the large number of hikers and bikers.

Sections of the park are designated use and directional, depending on the calendar map. Refer to map HERE.

Affected trails include: Enchanted Forest, Magic Mountain, Poco Calle, Rocker, Paydirt, and Smelter

Even calendar dates (2nd, 4th, etc.) = Bikes only, no hikers or equestrians

Odd calendar dates (3rd, 5th, etc.) = Hikers and equestrians only, no bikes

Dogs are welcome but must be on a leash.

Parking

There is a free parking lot at the trailhead. We had no problem parking on a weekday morning, but I’d expect the parking lot to fill up on weekends. You will also find a restroom, picnic area, and bike repair station near the parking lot.