Lair o’ the Bear Park — Attraction in Four Corners States

Our recent adventure took us to the Bear Creek Trail at Lair o’ the Bear Park in Idledale, Colorado. This trail is a fantastic choice for both hikers and their canine companions, offering a blend of scenic beauty and dog-friendly features.

Trail Experience: The Bear Creek Trail spans approximately 1.7 miles one-way, making it a 3.4-mile round trip if you hike the entire length. With an elevation gain of around 300 feet, this trail offers a moderate challenge that’s manageable for most hikers and their pets. The path is a mix of dirt and gravel, providing good traction and stability.

Our Hike: We hiked with a group of dogs who thoroughly enjoyed the trail. They especially loved splashing in the creek, cooling off and playing energetically in the water. However, be prepared for a thorough clean-up afterwards, as the dogs can get quite dirty.

Weather and Conditions: The weather was partly cloudy and windy, causing dirt and sand to blow around. Despite this, the hike was enjoyable. The parking lot was already busy by 9 AM and completely full by 11:30 AM, so arriving early is essential to secure a spot.

Scenic Beauty and Wildlife: The trail is well-shaded by towering cottonwoods and pines, providing a cool, comfortable environment even on warmer days. Wildflowers like columbines and lupines add vibrant splashes of color to the landscape. We encountered Western Tiger Swallowtail butterflies and Mountain Bluebirds, which fascinated our canine companions.

Convenient Amenities: A significant plus of Lair o’ the Bear Park is the clean and well-maintained bathrooms at the trailhead. This is a big advantage for both pet owners and service providers, offering comfort and convenience. Additionally, picnic tables scattered along the trail provide perfect spots to rest and enjoy a snack.

Tips for Hikers and Pet Owners:

• What to Pack: Ample water for both you and your pets to stay hydrated, towels and wipes for cleaning your dogs after the hike, snacks and a picnic to enjoy at one of the available picnic tables, a leash (required), and waste bags to maintain cleanliness on the trail. • Best Times to Visit: The trail is most enjoyable during spring and fall when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its peak. • Parking and Access: Arrive early in the morning to avoid crowds and ensure you get a parking spot. The park is approximately a 30-minute drive from Denver via CO-74 W/Evergreen Parkway. No permits or passes are required, making it a hassle-free destination.

Pros and Cons:

• Pros: • The trail offers plenty of shade, thanks to the dense tree cover. • Beautiful wildflowers and varied wildlife make for a visually appealing hike. • The creek is a fantastic spot for dogs to cool off and play. • Clean and well-maintained bathrooms at the trailhead provide added convenience. • The trail is well-marked and easy to navigate. • Cons: • The trail can get very busy, especially late in the morning and on weekends. • Windy conditions can blow around a lot of dirt and sand, which can be uncomfortable. • Dogs can get very dirty from the creek and trail dust, requiring post-hike cleaning.

Overall Impression: Lair o’ the Bear Park’s Bear Creek Trail is a fantastic destination for those seeking a blend of natural beauty and dog-friendly amenities. The combination of well-shaded paths, vibrant wildflowers, and the cooling creek makes it a delightful outing. Despite the busyness and occasional wind issues, the overall experience is highly rewarding, especially for dog owners and pet care providers looking for a scenic,...

I've lived in the Denver area for about 5 years now and hike quite a bit but never visited this trailhead. I went a few weeks ago in the winter on a nice day and it was muddy and slushy but I knew I'd found my new fave spot. I've been back twice since and enjoy it so much!

What I like the most is that it has all the specs I look for in an ideal hike: shade opportunities for those extra sunny, hot days, water source that brings me peace and can cool off by (Beautiful Bear Creek runs throughout the park), ample parking, restrooms, varied terrain and it's not too far. BTW, there's a cool unexpected attraction not too far down Bear Creek Trail: a castle! You can't get near it because of a small, gated bridge but it was a dreamy surprise when I went the first time.

You can find a trail good for just about anyone at Lair O the Bear Park. Go solo or bring the whole family. They have picnic tables and cozy spots by the creek where you can set up for a few hours and enjoy the day in nature.

Can't wait to...

For an expert mtb rider (me) this place is a wonderland. There's some very challenging sections which are super fun to clean and give you some gratification. There's some sections where you think you can make it but you don't and it keeps you motivated, and then there's the downhill. The downhill is fun, with some flowy sections where you just fly and other sections where you need to have some skill. You get views through the trees sporadically that are nice but that's not why you're here. Its about the riding. There's techie bits where you need to pay attention but nothing is ever so extreme that you feel like you're going to die if you fall. It's all good fun. I'll just warn you to go to some other trails until you get really good before you come here though. If you come here and you don't have the skills you're just going to get in the way and you could actually get hurt. Do a yourself a favor, keep the trails less crowded and keep your skin off the ground until...