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My Simple Wild

a motherhood & simple living blog

April 3, 2018 / Travel

Kid-friendly Hike in Boulder, CO- The Tenderfoot-Chapman Loop

While Nathan was gone in Vegas on a work trip, Liam and I had five whole days to spend together and go on little adventures. We found some new trails and I wanted to share one that was fun for both of us and close to Denver. This kid-friendly hike in Boulder, CO is one to add to your list!

We first started off at the Realization Point trailhead in the Boulder Open Space and found parking on the side of the road.

Directions: From Chautauqua Park in Boulder, follow Baseline Road west.  Drive 3.4 miles up Flagstaff Road and look for the sign for Realization Point on your right.

TIP: bring cash if you want to park in any of the parking lots here, it costs $5 unless you are a Boulder resident! You can also get a seasonal pass for $25.

Take the Tenderfoot trail for .9 miles then you can either turn back or take a left onto the Chapman Drive trail and walk another 1.3 miles to get back to Realization Point.

If 2.5 miles seems too long for your little ones, the Tenderfoot trail is 1.5 miles out and back and great for kids and parents of any skill level.

We decided to loop around and take Chapman Drive trail back, which was 1.3 miles of a dirt path. So total it was 2.5 miles and my son was OVER it the last half mile but we also started our hike later in the day when he has less energy. I would say a seven year old would have no problem at all taking Tenderfoot and looping back through Chapman Drive. There is plenty of shade and perfect large boulders to sit and rest or have a little picnic.

 

Kid-friendly Hike in Boulder, CO

 

Kid-friendly Hike in Boulder, CO

 

My 5 year old snapped this one of me while taking a break. He’s getting better at using my iPhone camera !

 

Kid-friendly Hike in Boulder, CO

Kid-friendly Hike in Boulder, CO
I am so blessed that my son is being raised in a place as beautiful as this.
Liam just OVER hiking the last half mile

Don’t forget to bring:

  • Sunscreen (no matter the time of year!)
  • Water
  • Snacks – our favorites are almonds, granola bars, and fruit leather
  • Bowl and water for your pup!

 

I’ve heard this trail is breathtaking in the summer when all the fields of wildflowers are in bloom, so we will definitely be going back soon!

 

And if your kids start to get tired and whiny like mine did, bribe them with some gelato! We stopped in town and got a perfect treat to end the day before heading home.

 

 

For other kid-friendly hikes in CO check out this post: Kid-friendly hike at Caribou Ranch (Nederland, CO)

Have a beautiful day!

New Momma Survival

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  1. Kelly says

    April 4, 2018 at 12:17 am

    My kids are much older but this looks like a nice little hike!

    Reply
  2. Jasmine - LoveLifeLaughMotherhood says

    April 5, 2018 at 2:04 am

    Never made it to boulder but I lived in Denver for a few years and summit county. Love Colorado!

    Reply
  3. mogulmomartisan says

    April 5, 2018 at 2:13 am

    This looks like a beautiful hike for kids and adults

    Reply
  4. Cheri says

    April 5, 2018 at 12:09 pm

    We’re planning a trip to CO soon. This hike looks so fun! I’m making a note so we can try it out.

    Reply
    • Natalie Aubele says

      April 5, 2018 at 4:43 pm

      That’s awesome !! Have a wonderful trip and let me know if you have any questions about where To go here

      Reply
  5. Katelyn Ryan says

    April 5, 2018 at 4:11 pm

    I’ve been hiking in Boulder, it was so much fun and incredibly beautiful! I’m not from Colorado, so the moderate hike was sooooo difficult for me even though I was in shape and I had been training for a halfmarathon at home!

    Reply
    • Natalie Aubele says

      April 5, 2018 at 4:44 pm

      Yea the altitude out here can get ya !!

      Reply
  6. Emily says

    April 6, 2018 at 4:28 am

    He is so dang cute! That trail looks amazing. My kids love to be outside and go on hikes.

    Reply
    • Natalie Aubele says

      April 6, 2018 at 1:06 pm

      Thank you !!

      Reply
  7. Barbara Alfeo says

    April 6, 2018 at 4:54 am

    I love the sweatshirt! Trying to do more hikes with my kids too!

    Reply
    • Natalie Aubele says

      April 6, 2018 at 1:09 pm

      Thanks ! It’s from http://www.madeofmountains.com. They have super cute clothes for kiddos

      Reply
  8. J. Ivy Boyter says

    April 6, 2018 at 12:24 pm

    That’s really cool. Here in Florida, it’s usually too hot for hiking and I’m usually not impressed with the landscape, so we don’t bother. We headed up to Georgia last year and did short hikes to see some waterfalls. I enjoyed that, even if it was a bit too hot!

    Reply
    • Natalie Aubele says

      April 6, 2018 at 1:08 pm

      My cousins live in Georgia and we did some hiking there as kids – it’s best to go early AM that’s for sure ! That heat gets brutal !

      Reply
  9. Daisy says

    April 6, 2018 at 12:31 pm

    Aww what an absolutely beautiful day you had together!!! I love finding new kid friendly hikes to do with my little boy too.

    Reply
  10. Carrie says

    April 6, 2018 at 2:02 pm

    The views are just beautiful, this is such a fun thing to do in Spring!

    Reply
    • Natalie Aubele says

      April 6, 2018 at 9:25 pm

      Photos don’t do it justice ! ❤️

      Reply
  11. WAHMCat (Cat) says

    April 6, 2018 at 10:54 pm

    Aaaahhh! I love your blogging style! I love that your little one is named Liam (so is mine)! And I love that not only do you incorporate lots of pictures in your blog, but that you let your little guy snap some too! It is all too often that the photographer never gets to be photographed!

    We don’t live in Denver (never even been actually), but we live in Texas and have tons of great walking trails too. I am looking forward to nicer weather so we can hike a bit. I may even borrow your idea for our neck of the woods and blog about it.

    Thanks for the great post! I look forward to following you!

    Reply
  12. Christie Moeller says

    April 7, 2018 at 2:20 am

    I LOVE this! It’s always so hard to find a good hike that the kids can do too!

    Reply
  13. Diane says

    April 8, 2018 at 1:03 am

    What a gorgeous hike, and looks like you had a fun lil hiking buddy! I’ll definitely have to check this out the next time I’m in CO!

    Reply
  14. Evelyn Lo Foreman says

    April 8, 2018 at 4:53 am

    What a beautiful hike and such a wonderful way to spend time together!! The scenery is breath-taking and lilLiam is adorable!! 💞 Xo, Evelyn, PathofPresence.com 🦋

    Reply
    • Natalie Aubele says

      April 8, 2018 at 2:50 pm

      Thank you so much Evelyn !

      Reply
  15. Kat says

    April 9, 2018 at 2:23 pm

    This looks like a beautiful hike and I can just imagine it with the wild flowers of summer! I still babywear my son (he’s 2) for most if our hikes, but it’s so nice to get them out and explore! Your son looks very happy!

    Reply
    • Natalie Aubele says

      April 9, 2018 at 2:44 pm

      Oh I miss the days when I was able to just throw my son on my back and hike ! 😭

      Reply
  16. The Dance says

    April 30, 2018 at 12:40 am

    I enjoyed all your beautiful photos, the scenery out there is simply breathtaking! I also love the one that Liam snapped of Mom. It’s wonderful that you share all these amazing discoveries with other families:)

    Reply
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