Colorado · Hiking · Near Estes Park

Bright

3.5 mi
round trip
551 ft
climb
8,686 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Bright open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 3 alerts for Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests.

As of · Source: USFS · Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Bright is a moderate hike of about 3.5 miles on an out-and-back route in the Boulder Ranger District of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests in Colorado. The trail rises roughly 550 feet from a low point of about 7,300 feet to a high of about 8,686 feet, and it is managed by the Forest Service. The trail surface is natural, and the route is open to both horses and bikes. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. A nearby weather station at Allenspark records typical July highs around 74°F with lows near 44°F. The station sits at about 8,500 feet, so temperatures on the trail's upper reaches run a little cooler. The trailhead parking is named Bright, and the hike is open year-round. Taylor Mountain lies about half a mile away, and North Saint Vrain Creek is about 2 miles off for paddling. Olive Ridge Campground is about 2.5 miles away, and Zappa's Tooth, a climbing area, is about 2.1 miles away.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Olive Ridge Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 2.5 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Rock Creek Tavern and Pizzeria

    Restaurant

    Open after 6

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Matt Golon, CC BY-SA 3.0 (commons)

More in Estes Park

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Bright

    Best months: May–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      32° / 14°

    2. Feb

      35° / 15°

    3. Mar

      42° / 20°

    4. Apr

      46° / 23°

    5. May

      56° / 32°

    6. Jun

      69° / 38°

    7. Jul

      74° / 44°

    8. Aug

      73° / 43°

    9. Sep

      66° / 36°

    10. Oct

      52° / 29°

    11. Nov

      41° / 20°

    12. Dec

      33° / 14°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Allenspark 3nw, CO, 2.8 mi away at 8,500 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Connector Trail Between Wb-22 And Wb-23Photo: raniel diaz, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Connector Trail Between Wb-22 And Wb-23

~7 min drive

1.76-mile out-and-back connector trail between WB-22 and WB-23 in Colorado.

Mount AlicePhoto: objectfox, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Mount Alice

~8 min drive

Route to the summit of Mount Alice (13,281 ft) from Wild Basin Trailhead (RMNP).

Wild Basin TrailPhoto: objectfox, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Wild Basin Trail

~8 min drive

6.6 mi · Moderate

Allenspark - Finch Lake Trail ConnectorPhoto: nickavarvel, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Allenspark - Finch Lake Trail Connector

~7 min drive

0.64-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 217 ft elevation gain.

Copeland MountainPhoto: objectfox, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Copeland Mountain

~8 min drive

Route to the summit of Copeland Mountain (13,166 ft) from Wild Basin Trailhead.

Hidden FallsPhoto: objectfox, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Hidden Falls

~9 min drive

0.8-mile out-and-back trail to Hidden Falls in Colorado with 253 ft gain.

old trail?Photo: Dave Snowden, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

old trail?

~8 min drive

0.72-mile out-and-back hike in Colorado with 106 ft of elevation gain.

Ogalalla PeakPhoto: objectfox, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Ogalalla Peak

~8 min drive

Route to the summit of Ogalalla Peak (13,081 ft) from Wild Basin Trailhead.

HIKE

Taylor Mountain (unmaintained)

Next door

0.82-mile out-and-back trail to Taylor Mountain in Colorado with 320 ft of elevation gain.

Horse TrailPhoto: objectfox, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Horse Trail

~8 min drive

0.78-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 112 ft elevation gain.