Brainard Lake
Colorado, United States of America
About Brainard Lake
Brainard Lake is set in a glacially-carved valley surrounded by subalpine forest in the wider Brainard Lake Recreation Area. Administered by the US Forest Service,...
About Brainard Lake
Brainard Lake is set in a glacially-carved valley surrounded by subalpine forest in the wider Brainard Lake Recreation Area. Administered by the US Forest Service, this area lies just outside of the boundary of Indian Peaks Wilderness and provides a popular playground for those seeking a wide variety of all year round outdoor activities, from hiking and fishing...
Brainard Lake has a Moderate difficulty level and is Family Friendly.
Things to do near Brainard Lake
Best Family Small-Group E-Bike Guided Tour in Boulder, Colorado
$105
Come Ride Boulder's "Best Family" all-in-one best of everything Boulder, CO tour. Ride to all the breathtaking sights, both scenic and historic. Enjoy Boulder's natural beauty, and see the whole town, including all the major attractions on our pedal-assist electric bike ride tour. An experience you won't want to miss!
After a quick tutorial on the bikes and safety, we immediately make our way onto the bike paths and trails. A few stops include historic Pearl Street, University of Colorado's campus + Folsom field, the iconic Flatirons, Boulder Creek, and much more!
Experienced and Highly Rated Tour Guides.
Boulder's Best E-Bike Guided Tour!
★ 5.028 reviews
Scenic Mountain Photoshoot in Boulder, Colorado
$125
We have over 500 5-star reviews across all platforms!
This experience is a great opportunity to commemorate your trip, and equally fitting for couples, families, solo travelers, special occasions and so much more! You'll enjoy the scenic mountain views during this guided photography session and memories that will last a lifetime.
★ 5.025 reviews
Private "Boulder Peaks & Wilderness Tours: Mallory Cave Trail"
$300
****You will receive a message the day prior to your tour to determine the time of hike based upon current weather conditions.*****
Embark on a hiking adventure in Boulder, Colorado, led by Ryan & Aylyn, seasoned guides and nature enthusiasts. Starting at the iconic NCAR trailhead, prepare to be captivated by the grandeur of the Flatirons standing tall against the Colorado sky.
Feel the thrill of conquering rugged terrain, the fresh mountain air invigorating your senses with each step. Traverse through pine-scented forests, wildflower meadows, and rocky outcrops, discovering the diverse flora and fauna that call this region home.
Engage in lively discussions and gain a deeper understanding of the delicate balance between preservation and adventure. Please note we will not climb into Mallory Cave as it is not safe or accessible.
Picture-perfect photo opportunities await at every turn!
★ 5.09 reviews
Boulder Flatirons Private Photo Adventure
$85
This is an opportunity to see the incredible flatirons close up with an experienced Boulder native while getting high-end, professional photography at the same time! These are images you’ll cherish for a lifetime. Let’s make some awesome memories of your Colorado trip! (Locals welcome, too!)
Details:
This is a private experience and you will not be booked with anyone else. While the trail is easy enough for children, we tailor each hike to your groups activity level. Couples, families, groups, headshots, & solo travelers welcome. You’ll receive a style & welcome guide before the session. Each booking includes a $50 print credit that may be applied towards prints, products, and/or digital negatives. You’ll receive your images in a password protected online gallery within 2-3 weeks of your session from which you may select your favorite images to purchase. Each image in your gallery is carefully retouched to enhance color & smooth out skin. Further editing available upon request.
★ 5.07 reviews
Boulder Joyride Guided eBike Tour
$95
The Boulder Joyride eBike Tour best illustrates why Boulder is one of the best cities on earth for riding bikes. From our centrally-located starting point, we'll take to bike paths, streets, alleys and other byways on this comprehensive, local's-eye view of Boulder. We'll explore the town's eclectic neighborhoods, visit popular (and lesser known) areas of interest, take in stunning views, and immerse ourselves in Boulder's vibrant outdoor culture.
Along the way you’ll discover Boulder’s unique urban/nature interface, eclectic neighborhoods, and fun “alternate” routes that only someone with decades of local riding experience (like your JD's Joyrides guide) knows.
★ 5.06 reviews
The Psycho Killer Escape Room (1-8 people)
$30.52
Live the adventure! Our real life escape rooms put you in the game. Leave your cell phones at home while you use your wit to find clues, solve riddles, and decipher hidden messages to escape "The Psycho Killer," or try your luck in Area 51 while you attempt to escape "The Abduction." Our newest game "Captive" starts you off chained to the wall (w/safety release) only to escape by following the clues from the past prisoners. Work together with your team to survive Boulder Escape Room.
For large corporate or private events please email us for more information
★ 5.05 reviews
Immersive Boulder Flatiron Hike
$89
Explore the world renowned Boulder Flatirons up close and personal. Preston, a Boulder local, will help you escape into the foothills of the Rockies and help you connect to the natural landscape through storytelling and conversations about the local flora fauna and history of the Flatirons.
★ 5.04 reviews
Boulder Backroads: E-Bike Dirt Road Tour
$250
Attention all thrill seekers! Jump on Pedego’s award winning full suspension Elevate Mountain Bike and head for the mountains. Select 1 of 3 electric assistance modes as you wind your way along the renown Switzerland Trail and enjoy some of the best backroad biking Boulder has to offer. Soak up the 4×4 road’s challenging terrain using the Elevate’s wide trail tires and feel what it’s like to ride high up in the Rockies! Then take one more stop for a panoramic picture at a mountain viewpoint before riding back on this epic trail to the starting trailhead!
★ 5.04 reviews
Winter Wonderland Adventure Tour | Sledding (Wildside 4x4 Tours)
$139.99
Get ready for this guide led adventurous, fun, comfortable, scenic, once in a lifetime experience that you'll talk about the rest of your life, in our custom made 4x4 and jeep vehicles that are unlike anything you've ridden in for up to 54 people.
On this winter safari tour you'll go sledding, hike to a waterfall and around a gorgeous snowy lake, wildlife viewing, sledding, play in the snow, have numerous breathtaking photo opportunities of the Rocky Mountains and wildlife, and don't forget about the best hot cocoa you'll ever experience.
Safety and guest comfort/experience are our top priorities. Our vehicles come with the best quality winter tires and can fully enclose with blankets and a powerful heater to protect from weather and cold.
For years our skilled, guides have committed to provide unforgettable tours that made us one of the top 10% of things to do in the world, Top 5 in Colorado, and the #1 activity in Estes Park. Come take a ride on the Wildside.
★ 5.0162 reviews
Summer Private Rocky Mountain National Park Driving Tour
$200
Join us for an unforgettable experience in our 3-row Subaru Ascent! Drive through the Rocky Mountain National Park on a half day 5 - 6 hour private tour with only your party & your guide! Our Summer Rocky Mountain Tour starts you in the lower valley meadows, then takes you on a journey up iconic roads that are open for your visit (Trail Ridge Road June - Sep., or off-road on Old Fall River Road July - Sep.) where you will see beautiful mountain views & waterfalls, we’ll make a short stop at the highest visitor center in the US National Park system, and drive back down the highest continuous paved road in the United States, Trail Ridge Road, on our way back to Estes Park. This tour is NOT a hiking tour, and focuses more on driving in the National Park with small strolls throughout.
We are only able to offer pickup for guests staying in Estes Park. If you are staying outside of Estes Park, we can meet you at the free parking garage for the Estes Park Visitor Center for pickup.
★ 5.0104 reviews
Not So Mellow Marshmallow Tour (Wildside 4x4 Tours)
$179.99
This evening/night time 4x4 photo adventure takes you into the wilds of Roosevelt National Forest to see the sunset from our private 360 degree viewing and photo tower. This tour combines all the thrills from the Rock’n Roller Coaster tour (Panoramic tour with request) with an extra hour of fun for family time around a fire.
Bring your family for an exhilarating experience with an off-road adventure combined with the excitement of roasting your own mouthwatering hot dogs and marshmallows over an open fire. We also provide chips and drinks, and for extra relaxation, feel free to bring your own adult beverages.
In this tour you have stadium seating in one of our off-road custom vehicles with an open top, and a bikini top if it rains. We do provide rain gear that are full body suites called Frog Toggs. Bundle up a little more for this tour since it is open air. Top-off the night, with a ride back in the dark for a truly thrilling adventure.
★ 5.065 reviews
Bear Lake Road Rocky Mountain National Park Private Tour
$154
Enhance your visit to Colorado with a private guided tour of the Bear Lake Road corridor in Rocky Mountain National Park. Take in the views while we handle the driving in our comfortable touring SUV.
This tour blends relaxed driving between scenic stops with optional easy walks to overlooks and points of interest. Enjoy wildlife viewing, abundant photo opportunities, and insights from knowledgeable, experienced local guides. Binoculars are provided for spotting elk herds, birdwatching, and taking in the mountain ranges.
Bypass timed-entry reservations by touring with us. Your guide will share information about wildlife, weather, geology, history, culture, birding, outdoor activities, and everything that makes Estes Park and the surrounding area special. Let us show you our favorite place—Rocky Mountain National Park!
★ 5.059 reviews
Winter / Spring Private Rocky Mountain National Park Guided Tour
$180
Join us for a guided snowy experience in our 3-row Subaru Ascent through Rocky Mountain National Park on a 4 - 5 hour private tour with only your party & your guide! On our tour, you'll see a waterfall (frozen during our winter months), we'll drive up the famous Trail Ridge Road as far as it is opened for the season, if conditions allow, walk around a frozen Bear Lake or Sprague Lake (both flat & less than a mile), and you'll also visit the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center at the end of your tour. This tour is NOT a hiking tour, and focuses more on driving in the National Park with small strolls throughout. Minimum of 2 guests.
*Micro spikes will be used instead of snowshoes and are included for your tour to keep you safe while walking on icy surfaces.
We are only able to offer hotel pickup for guests in Estes Park or the small surrounding towns. If you're not staying near Estes Park, we can meet you at the free parking garage for the Estes Park Visitor Center for pickup.
★ 5.052 reviews
Full-Day Rocky Mountain National Park "Over The Top Tour" - RMNPhotographer
$199
RMNPhotographer Tours provide the most dynamic, personalized tours in RMNP. Our private guides travel with you in the comfort of your own vehicle. We take you to the best scenery and seek incredible wildlife to photograph. It is like having a park ranger as your guide as you enjoy the journey.
- Our knowledgeable and friendly guides are experienced RMNP photographers who help you capture images of a lifetime on your cell phones or cameras.
- Tour through RMNP on Trail Ridge Road, the highest highway in the United States (12,183 ft.) from Estes Park to Grand Lake.
- Capture lush green valleys, alpine lakes, rolling streams, waterfalls, and the Continental Divide.
- Seek gentle deer, dynamic elk, and massive moose allowing you to capture magnificent photos.
- Travel through historic Kawuneeche Valley to enjoy lunch (on your own) in the quaint mountain village of Grand Lake.
★ 5.042 reviews
Fall Private Elk Rut Rocky Mountain National Park Tour
$200
Join us for a safari-like experience during the the elk rut! Drive through Rocky Mountain National Park on a 5 - 6 hour private tour with only your party & your guide! On our Rut Tour, you will be taken up the famous Old Fall River Road where you will see beautiful mountain views & waterfalls, stop at the highest visitor center in the US National Park System, drive back down the highest continuous paved road in the United States, Trail Ridge Road and witness the elk rut mating season in Moraine Park. When Old Fall River Road isn't open, you will drive up & back down Trail Ridge Road. This tour is NOT a hiking tour, and focuses more on driving in the National Park with small strolls throughout. *Wildlife is unpredictable & we cannot guarantee sightings, but we try our best to scout the prime locations!
We only offer pickup for guests staying in Estes Park. If you are staying outside of Estes Park, we can meet you at the free parking garage for the Estes Park Visitor Center for pickup.
★ 5.035 reviews
Private Wildlife Hiking Tour in Rocky Mountain National Park
$175
We offer private, fully customizable hiking tours of Rocky Mountain National Park. Take a guided hike to see the best the area has to offer. You follow our guide to the trailhead (in your own vehicle) to begin your hike. All tours include a timed entry reservation, gear rentals, and 5 professional photos available for digital download. (Ask about our add-on package for more photos!) We offer fully inclusive and accessible options as well. Great for solo travelers or the whole family and all ability levels. We will text you to build your custom itinerary after we receive your booking request.
4 hour: Easy/Beginner
6 hour: Medium/Intermediate
8 hour: Hard/Advanced
★ 5.024 reviews
YOU Drive the Jeep! Guided 4x4 Tour in Idaho Springs (Denver)
$550
You don’t ride along—you DRIVE the Jeep! This is Colorado’s only guided tour where you take the wheel of a real off-road Jeep and follow our expert guide through the mountains near Denver. We provide the vehicle, coach you through every step, and lead the way on scenic, beginner-friendly trails with just the right amount of adventure. Perfect for families, couples, and small groups who want a hands-on, exciting alternative to crowded bus tours. No off-roading experience needed—we make it fun and easy. Just show up ready to explore! We keep group sizes small and never pile strangers into the same vehicle. If you’ve ever wanted to see Colorado like a local—this is it.
★ 5.076 reviews
Clear Creek Advanced half day
$115
The Clear Creek advanced rafting trip is extremely exciting and is intended for those who are strong swimmers and in good physical condition. The rapids are long and in close proximity to each other. This makes for an exhilarating and continuous whitewater rafting experience!
★ 5.050 reviews
Clear Creek Classic 2h 30m Rafting Trip - Idaho Springs, CO
$82.11
The Clear Creek Classic trip offers fun for the whole family with splashy Class II–III rapids. Total activity time is 2 hours and 30 minutes from meet to return. Paddle through the scenic Clear Creek Canyon near Idaho Springs, surrounded by Colorado’s gold rush history and stunning mountain views. This fun, hands-on adventure is ideal for those looking to get wet and enjoy the outdoors without extreme intensity. Paddling is required, and all trips include safety orientation, paddle instruction, and gear (PFD, helmet, and wetsuit rentals available). A great way to cool off and experience Colorado’s whitewater!
★ 5.019 reviews
Mount Blue Sky Via Ferrata Climbing Experience in Idaho Springs
$138.03
A Via Ferrata, which means “iron way” in Italian, is a method of mountaineering & rock climbing that’s been used in Europe for centuries. Via Ferrata courses use a combination of ladders, rungs, rails, cables and bridges to aid in moving across and up a cliff face. The Iron Way in Idaho Springs is an assisted rock climbing guided tour where guests clip into cables that run along the side of a cliff. They then move along a designated path of iron rungs and bridges to move across, and along the way they will be required to clip in and out of the cable to progress through the course. This is made possible through an advanced internal locking system in the carabiners. Each guest will have 2 carabiners connected to bungee-style lanyards on their harness. The internal locking system makes it impossible to clip out of both at the same time, insuring that climbers are connected to the cable of the course at all times.
★ 5.019 reviews
Raft the Gold Nugget Whitewater Challenge on Clear Creek: Ages 6+
$95
Clear Creek is one of the best whitewater rafting rivers in Colorado, and for great reasons. The canyon offers all levels of whitewater challenge, and easy access. The setting includes scenic flats, mining ruins, wildlife, and, of course, exciting whitewater flowing over rocks.
Nearby is Idaho Springs, where the gold rush began. One of the first cities founded in Colorado, in 1859, this quaint town is nestled in the foothills of some of Colorado’s best mountains and holds a unique place in the state’s history. As the place where the Colorado Gold Rush started, this little town holds a lot of secrets, including one of the best river rafting areas in the State!
Conveniently located about 30 minutes West of Denver, and close to Breckenridge, Silverthorne, Dillon, and Winter Park, Clear Creek has rafting trip options for varying ability and experience levels.
★ 5.09 reviews
YOU Drive the Jeep! Guided Sunset Tour in Idaho Springs (Denver)
$550
If you’re in the area looking for the perfect day-trip getaway, outdoor adventure or even just a unique Instagram photo op surrounded by the fourteeners of the Rocky Mountains, Native Jeeps is the perfect fit for your plans.
★ 5.07 reviews
Clear Creek Whitewater Raft near Denver: Splashy Fun for Families
$95
Clear Creek is one of the best whitewater rafting rivers in Colorado, and for great reasons. The canyon offers all levels of whitewater challenge, and easy access. The setting includes scenic flats, mining ruins, wildlife, and, of course, exciting whitewater flowing over rocks.
Nearby is Idaho Springs, where the gold rush began. One of the first cities founded in Colorado, in 1859, this quaint town is nestled in the foothills of some of Colorado’s best mountains and holds a unique place in the state’s history. As the place where the Colorado Gold Rush started, this little town holds a lot of secrets, including one of the best river rafting areas in the State!
Conveniently located about 30 minutes West of Denver, and close to Breckenridge, Silverthorne, Dillon, and Winter Park, Clear Creek has rafting trip options for varying ability and experience levels.
★ 5.04 reviews
Clear Creek Advanced/Intermediate Rafting Trip with Lunch
$208.01
Embark on an exhilarating whitewater rafting adventure on Clear Creek, just 30 minutes from Denver. This intermediate trip offers over 3 hours on the water, navigating continuous Class III–IV rapids that challenge and thrill. You'll tackle notable rapids such as “Nomad,” “Fall River,” “Deliverance,” and the formidable “Outer Limits,” all set against the stunning backdrop of Clear Creek Canyon. Midway through the journey, enjoy a well-deserved, deli-style riverside lunch, providing a moment to relax and take in the surrounding natural beauty. Our guides average 5 years of experience and all necessary personal equipment is included: personal flotation devices, helmets, and wetsuits. This trip is perfect for adventure seekers aged 15 and up, seeking a memorable rafting experience close to Denver.
★ 5.03 reviews
Colorado, United States of America
Latitude: 40.077813, Longitude: -105.575229
Attractions near Brainard Lake
Activities
Hiking
Boating
Kayaking
Canoeing
Fishing
Camping
Cycling
Mountain Biking
Cross-Country Skiing
Snowshoeing
About Brainard Lake
About Brainard Lake
Brainard Lake is set in a glacially-carved valley surrounded by subalpine forest in the wider Brainard Lake Recreation Area. Administered by the US Forest Service, this area lies just outside of the boundary of Indian Peaks Wilderness and provides a popular playground for those seeking a wide variety of all year round outdoor activities, from hiking and fishing in summer to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter.
Access to the area by vehicle is limited to summer months (mid-June to late October) as roads are often closed by snow and ice.
The lake itself is shallow, just eight feet at its maximum depth and is offset by the rugged peaks of the Continental Divide. It’s heaven for fishermen due to its ease of access and abundance of brook trout, cutthroat trout and rainbow trout, amongst other species. Non-motorized boats only are allowed on the lake.
The surrounding area contains much to explore, with access to two major trailheads and many less marked hikes into the wilderness. There are trails for mountain bikes and road cycling is also welcomed.
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Colorado, United States of America, North America
Lake