Flatirons

Chautauqua Park is an 80-acre (32-hectare) greenspace that offers spectacular views of the Flatirons and access to the dozens of trails that climb their slopes. Boulder technically has five numbered flatirons; the First and Third Flatirons are renowned for rock climbing, with the Third Flatiron having the most pitches. It’s not all for thrill-hounds, though; plenty of gentle walking trails and views are here, too.

• The vast majority of Flatiron visitors will access the slopes via Chautauqua Park. That’s where you’ll find restrooms and more.

• Stop by Chautauqua Park’s Ranger Cottage for hiking recommendations and updates on the weather and trail conditions.

• Parking at Chautauqua Park requires a fee on weekends and summer holidays.

The most striking portion of Boulder’s foothills is on the western edges of town. To access the Flatirons, head to Chautauqua Park, on the southwestern edges of town. Parking is available onsite; in summer, a free shuttle runs between downtown Boulder and Chautauqua Park. From the park, you can walk right onto the Chautauqua Trailhead, which leads to an entire network of trails that wind in, below, and around the Flatirons.

The Flatirons are by far the most popular outdoor destination in Boulder. If you want Chautauqua Park (and its parking lot) to yourself, head here early in the morning on a weekday. And while summer is the Flatirons’ most popular season, don’t write off a winter visit—just come with trekking poles or snow cleats.

Wondering which bald triangle is which flatiron? Break out your eagle eyes, look toward the Flatirons, and scan for the huge letters “CU.” That stands for the University of Colorado and those two letters are on the Third Flatiron. Two CU students painted this rock way back in 1949.