Colorado · Hiking
Hiking in Cotopaxi, Colorado
Cotopaxi sits in the Arkansas River canyon along Highway 50, wedged between Cañon City and Salida at an elevation where pinyon-juniper scrub gives way to ponderosa and open BLM land stretches in every direction.
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Cotopaxi sits in the Arkansas River canyon along Highway 50, wedged between Cañon City and Salida at an elevation where pinyon-juniper scrub gives way to ponderosa and open BLM land stretches in every direction. The 226 hiking listings here reflect that reality: this is not a destination built around a single marquee trail but rather a loose network of BLM routes, named roads used as foot access, and numbered trails that reward hikers who are comfortable navigating on their own. Routes like Silver Cloud Gulch and Coyote Run Road offer canyon-country walking with genuine solitude, while numbered trails such as 13th Trail, 16th Trail, 17th Trail, 18th Trail, 22nd Trail, 34th Trail, 38th Trail, and 6th Trail spread across the surrounding BLM parcels with minimal signage and no crowds. Several listings are designated ATV corridors — BLM T6026, BLM T6035A, BLM T6055A — that are legally open to foot travel but share the tread with off-road vehicles, so timing and awareness matter. If you want structured trailheads with kiosks and maintained paths, look elsewhere. If you want open country, short drives from Salida or Cañon City, and room to piece together your own route, Cotopaxi delivers.
Frequently asked questions
What skill level do the hiking trails around Cotopaxi require?
Most routes here are moderate in physical demand but require solid navigation skills. Trails like 13th Trail, 22nd Trail, and routes off BLM 6051 are not heavily signed, and some share corridors with ATV traffic. Beginners comfortable with a map app and basic route-finding will manage fine; hikers expecting painted blazes and regular trail markers may get turned around.
When is the best time of year to hike in Cotopaxi?
Spring (April through early June) and fall (September through October) are the most comfortable windows. Summer afternoons bring afternoon thunderstorms that build quickly over the higher terrain above the canyon, so starting early and being off exposed ground by noon is a practical habit. Winter is generally hikeable at canyon-floor elevations, though upper BLM routes can hold snow and ice into March.
Are the ATV-designated BLM routes safe to hike?
Routes like BLM T6026, BLM T6035A, and BLM T6055A are open to hikers but see off-road vehicle use, particularly on weekends and during warmer months. Weekday mornings are noticeably quieter. Wear visible colors and stay to the side of the tread when you hear vehicles approaching.
Is there a permit or fee required to hike on BLM land around Cotopaxi?
No permit or day-use fee is required for hiking on the BLM parcels surrounding Cotopaxi. Standard Leave No Trace rules apply, and dispersed camping on BLM land is generally allowed with a 14-day stay limit, though you should verify current closures with the Royal Gorge Field Office before an overnight trip.
What gear should I bring for a day hike here?
The Arkansas River canyon is drier and sunnier than people expect, so sun protection, more water than you think you need, and a layer for wind are the basics. Because trailhead signage is sparse on routes like Deer Run Drive, Glen Vista Lane, and the numbered trails, a downloaded offline map or GPS track is genuinely useful rather than optional. Sturdy trail shoes handle the rocky pinyon-juniper terrain well; full boots are only necessary if you are heading onto upper BLM routes after recent snow.
