If you’re searching for a fall colors hike near Denver without the crowds, the Horseshoe Trail to Frazer Meadow in Golden Gate Canyon State Park should be on your list. Just 30 miles from the city, this trail meanders through quiet pine forest with bursts of yellow and orange before opening into wide meadows framed by glowing aspens.
It’s close enough for a quick half day trip, yet far enough to feel like a true mountain escape—the kind where the air smells like pine needles and the ground crunches under golden leaves.
Frazer Meadow is where you’ll find the best aspen grove, and there are a couple of trailhead options to get there. This trip report covers my hike via Horseshoe Trail from Black Bear Trailhead, but my downloadable GPX includes both routes: Horseshoe Trailhead and Black Bear Trailhead. The Black Bear option connects to Horseshoe Trail in just 0.4 miles and adds hillside views right from the start—that’s the one I took and the one I’d recommend.
For even more leaf-peeping ideas, check out my full guide to the best fall colors in Colorado.
Quick Stats
HIKE TO: Frazer Meadow
TRAIL: Horseshoe Trail
MILES: 4 - 4.6 miles roundtrip (lollipop loop trail)
TIME: 2-2.5 hrs
DATE I WENT: 9/24/2024
BEST TIME: late September/ early October for peak fall foliage
DIFFICULTY: easy - moderate
ELEVATION: 9,096 ft
ELEVATION GAIN: 856 ft
HIKE PERMIT: no
PARKING FEE: yes; $12 day pass or annual Colorado State Parks Pass
LOCATION: Golden Gate Canyon State Park (just under an hour from Denver, CO)
Getting to the Trailhead
As I mentioned, there are two trailheads to access this hike: Black Bear Trailhead and Horseshoe Trailhead. Both are just down the street from each other and sit off Crawford Gulch Road (CR 57), about a half-mile from the park visitor center. There’s a small lot with restrooms, and you can grab your day pass here at the visitor center if you don’t already have one. Weekends in peak aspen season can get busy, so plan to arrive or later in the day.
Trail Description: Hiking Horseshoe Trail to Frazer Meadow
The trail starts uphill on Black Bear Trail for 0.4 miles, following the hillside with beautiful mountains across Crawford Gulch Road to the opposite side on the park, and the drops down in elevation to link up with Horseshoe Trail. You will be on Horseshoe Trail for the majority of this hike.
This part of the trail is shaded under towering ponderosa pine and Douglas fir. The first mile is a steady but manageable uphill climb. In fall, the contrast of dark evergreens with bright yellow aspen groves makes even this section worth slowing down for. It was bursting with colors when we hiked on a late afternoon in September.
1.1 mile later, you will reach a trail junction—this is where the lollipop look trail is. You can decide to go clockwise or counter-clockwise. We went right and headed counter clockwise and while I don’t know if there’s a benefit to one direction or the other, I liked our route and think you’d enjoy it too.
There’s some backcountry camp sites you will pass in the next 0.67 miles and then you reach the next trail junction. Turn left and you will hike on the Mule Deer Trail for about 0.25 miles. The trees thin out and you step into Frazer Meadow. This is where the magic happens.
In fall, the entire hillside glows gold with aspen trees, and the wide-open views stretch toward the surrounding foothills. If you’re lucky, you might spot elk grazing in the grasses.
This meadow is fenced off to protect and preserve it, so don’t plan to bring a picnic to sit in the middle. However, you can sit alongside the trail for your snack breaks.
There’s a bigger loop option here if you want to connect with Mule Deer Trail further, but most hikers are happy just soaking in the meadow before looping back.
You’ll pass the site of John Frazer’s old homestead—he settled here in the late 1800s. The cabin is long gone, but it’s a cool spot to pause and imagine what life was like back then, tucked away in the middle of this golden meadow.
When you visit in the late afternoon like we did, a lot of the hiking trail is very well shaded and the light hits perfectly to catch the fall colors.
Why This Trail Shines in Fall
Golden Gate Canyon State Park doesn’t get as much hype as spots like Kenosha Pass or Maroon Bells, which makes it a perfect alternative if you want stunning aspens without the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds. It’s also much closer to the city but you still get the feeling that you’re deep in the mountains. Frazer Meadow is one of the park’s best displays of fall foliage, especially if you catch it around late September.
What to Pack
Even for a short hike, Colorado weather can be unpredictable in the fall. Here’s what I bring:
- Trail runners or light hiking boots
- A light puffy or fleece plus a packable wind shell
- Day Pack—Pingora’s Lucid pack has convenient shoulder pockets to carry phones
- 1–2 liters of water in a hydration bladder
Other Fall Hikes You Might Like
- Aspen Alley: Best Short & Stunning Fall Hike In Breckenridge, Colorado
- Photos Backpacking Four Pass Loop Colorado in the Fall
If you’re chasing colors across the state, don’t miss my full guide on when and where to see the best fall colors in Colorado—it’ll help you map out a full leaf-peeping road trip.
FAQ
Is the Horseshoe Trail to Frazer Meadow dog-friendly?
Yes, dogs are allowed on leash. Just remember to pack out waste.
When is the best time to catch fall colors?
Usually late September to early October, but timing shifts slightly each year depending on weather.
How crowded is the trail during peak season?
It’s one of the more popular hikes in the park, but it’s still quieter than iconic spots like Kenosha Pass. Arrive early for the best chance at solitude.
Do I need a permit?
A $10-12 day pass (per vehicle) is required, or you can use an annual Colorado State Parks Pass. Pro Tip: Colorado residents can get the Keep Colorado Wild Pass for only $29 DMV vehicle registration renewal!
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Tiff, the owner and author of Follow Tiff’s Journey, is a California/ Colorado-based adventurer and outdoor connoisseur who divides her heart between the Eastern Sierra Mountains and the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Despite her fear of heights, she’s become a seasoned mountaineer, ultralight hiking and backcountry camping enthusiast, expert road trip planner, and a fervent explorer of alpine lakes, natural hot springs, and sandstone canyons.
With 10 years of experience exploring the outdoors, her blog is your go-to source for all things wilderness, offering invaluable insights and pro tips, essential gear recommendations, and awe-inspiring stories from her adventures.
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