Colorado · Hiking
Hiking in Edwards, Colorado
Edwards sits in the Eagle River valley at roughly 7,200 feet, and the hiking here is more varied than most people expect from a town better known as a bedroom community for Vail.
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Edwards sits in the Eagle River valley at roughly 7,200 feet, and the hiking here is more varied than most people expect from a town better known as a bedroom community for Vail. The trail network spreads across two main drainages — Berry Creek and Tames Creek — plus the open ridgelines around Arrowhead Mountain, giving you everything from flat road walks to steeper climbs with real elevation gain. Beginners and families have solid options: Colorado Creek TR 1897, Homestead Open Space, Village to Village, and the Tames Creek corridor are all listed as easy and work well for shorter outings. If you want more mileage, the Berry Creek system connects through Upper Berry Creek and links to June Creek Road and Beard Creek Road, letting you string together longer loops. Dead Buck Reservoir and Lost Reservoir add destination hikes with a payoff at the end. With 64 active listings in the Edwards area, you won't run out of trail combinations quickly, and the network is accessible directly from town without a long drive to a trailhead. Afternoon thunderstorms are a real factor from July through early September, so early starts matter here more than at lower elevations.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time of year to hike around Edwards?
Late May through early October covers the main season, with June and September being the most reliable months. July and August offer the most daylight but bring frequent afternoon thunderstorms that can roll in fast, especially on exposed terrain like Arrowhead Mountain Trail, so plan to be off ridgelines by early afternoon. Snow can linger on higher routes into June and return by late October.
Are there easy hikes in Edwards suitable for kids or beginners?
Yes, several trails in the network are rated easy and work well for younger hikers or people new to Colorado altitude. Colorado Creek TR 1897, Homestead Open Space, Village to Village, Tames Creek, and Tames Creek Spur Road are all listed as easy and generally follow gentler grades. Starting at Homestead Open Space is a practical choice since access from town is straightforward.
Can I put together a longer hike by connecting trails?
The Berry Creek drainage is the best place to do this. Berry Creek, Upper Berry Creek, Beard Creek Road, Beard Creek Spur, and June Creek Road all connect within the same system, letting you build out a multi-hour route. Adding Edmunds Powerline Road or the Power Road segments can extend your mileage further depending on how much elevation you want to take on.
What gear should I bring for a day hike out of Edwards?
At this elevation, sun protection and a rain layer are non-negotiable even on clear mornings. Bring more water than you think you need since the valley is dry and the altitude increases dehydration. Trekking poles are worth it on the steeper connector trails like Steep Shortcut. A trail map or downloaded GPX is useful because several routes in the Berry Creek and Tames Creek systems share similar names and can be easy to mix up.
Is there parking and trailhead access directly from Edwards, or do I need to drive to a separate trailhead?
Many of the trails in this network are accessible without a long drive, which is one of the practical advantages of hiking out of Edwards. Homestead Open Space and several Berry Creek access points are reachable from town. That said, trailhead parking for some routes can fill up on summer weekends, so arriving before 8 a.m. is a reasonable habit during peak season.
