Colorado · Hiking
Hiking in New Raymer, Colorado
New Raymer sits in the shortgrass prairie of Weld County, and the hiking here reflects that honestly: you're not getting alpine switchbacks or dramatic elevation gain.
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View on mapHiking · 17 spots
New Raymer sits in the shortgrass prairie of Weld County, and the hiking here reflects that honestly: you're not getting alpine switchbacks or dramatic elevation gain. What you are getting is open country walking on a network of forest roads and county roads that cut through the rolling plains northeast of Denver. Routes like Forest Road 90, Forest Road 96, Forest Road 117, and Forest Road 121 are listed as easy, which tracks with the terrain — wide, flat to gently rolling, and exposed. The majority of the 17 active listings in this area follow established road corridors rather than singletrack trails, so expect gravel or dirt underfoot and big sky overhead. County Road 134 and roads like Forest Road 845 and Forest Road 758 round out the options for those who want to cover more ground. This is the kind of hiking that suits birders, people who want a long quiet walk without crowds, or anyone who just wants to move through open landscape without technical demands. Come with sun protection, enough water for the full outing, and realistic expectations about shade — there isn't much.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difficulty level of hiking near New Raymer?
Most of the listed routes — including Forest Road 90, Forest Road 96, Forest Road 117, Forest Road 121, Forest Road 712, Forest Road 739, Forest Road 757, and Forest Road 98 — are rated easy. The terrain is shortgrass prairie, so significant elevation change is not a factor. The main physical demands are distance and sun exposure, not technical difficulty.
What is the best time of year to hike here?
Spring (April through early June) and fall (September through October) are the most comfortable windows. Summer temperatures on the open plains can push well above 90°F with no tree cover to speak of, making midday walks genuinely unpleasant and potentially dangerous without adequate water. Winter is hikeable on most days but wind on the exposed roads can be brutal.
What gear should I bring for a day hike on these roads?
Carry more water than you think you need — there is no reliable water access on these forest and county road routes. Sun protection is essential: hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses at minimum. Sturdy trail shoes or light hikers are fine given the road surfaces; technical footwear is not necessary. A paper or offline map is worth having since cell coverage in Weld County's rural northeast is inconsistent.
Are these routes actual trails or just roads?
They are roads — forest roads and county roads used for vehicle access as well as walking. Forest Road 90, Forest Road 94, Forest Road 123, Forest Road 750, and the others in this list are all road-based routes rather than dedicated hiking trails. That means you may encounter the occasional truck or ATV, so stay visible and step to the side when vehicles pass.
What is the best time of day to hike in this area during summer?
Start early, ideally before 8 a.m., and plan to be done or back near your vehicle by late morning. The routes here offer almost no shade, and afternoon heat combined with the lack of wind shelter makes the midday hours a poor time to be out on exposed roads like Forest Road 845 or Forest Road 758. Evening walks after 6 p.m. are another reasonable option when temperatures drop.
