If you’re searching “Loch Lomond hike Colorado” hoping for a serious wildflower payoff without a serious hike, you’re in the right place. This one’s up in Clear Creek County near St. Mary’s, in Arapaho National Forest below James Peak — and it might be the easiest, most rewarding wildflower hike I’ve done all summer.
This article is for exploring around Loch Lomond to the upper lakes, not the hike up the road to reach Loch Lomond. But if you have an AWD or 4wd vehicle, keep reading.
Quick Hike Stats: Loch Lomond Trail
HIKE TO: Loch Lomond, Reynolds Lake, and Steuart Lake
TRAILHEAD: Loch Lomond (Steuart Road, off Alice Road near St. Mary's, CO)
MILES: 1.38 miles
TIME: 1 hr
DATE I WENT: 7/26/2026
BEST TIME: July
DIFFICULTY: easy-moderate
ELEVATION: 11,215 ft
ELEVATION GAIN/ LOSS: 285 ft to upper lakes
HIKE PERMIT: no
PARKING FEE: no
LOCATION: Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forest, Clear Creek County Colorado
Getting to the Loch Lomond Trailhead
The road up is dirt the whole way, gated in a couple of spots in the winter/ early Spring, and honestly not technically difficult at all. My Bronco Sport Badlands handled it without a single sketchy moment. You don’t need a big lifted rig here — small AWD vehicles can make it up just fine, and I saw plenty of them doing exactly that on my way up.
If you’re in a standard 2WD vehicle, you’ll want to park at the bottom of Steuart Rd and hike the 2.5 mile road from there, which adds real mileage and elevation to this short hike. Know your vehicle before you go — it decides your whole day more than anything else on this one.
Hiking and Camping at Loch Lomond: My personal experiences
Camping at Loch Lomond
I first came to this spot back in the July of 2023, and I wasn’t even there to hike — my friend just wanted to get out for a quiet place to camp for a night that wasn’t too far from Denver, CO. Crazy thing is, I first visited at almost the exact same time of year (July 20, 2023), and there were no wildflowers at all.
We drove up on a random weekday and had the entire lake to myself. Not another car in the lot, not another tent in sight. Just water, quiet, and that particular kind of stillness you only get way up a dirt road in Colorado. At the time, I thought this was one of the most underrated camp spots within 1.5 hours of Denver.
Fast forward 3 years…
Hiking Loch Lomond during Wildflower Season
This past Sunday in the middle of the summer, I went back to actually hike it. My friend wanted to do a wildflower hike and the scene could not have been more different.
The parking lot was packed. But I get the appeal even more now, because right now, this trail is peaking with wildflowers. If you have a 4wd, you can drive right up to Lake Lomond and not even have to hike to enjoy wildflowers and a lake day.
Here’s the thing I really want you to take away from this post: the best wildflowers are in the first 0.3 miles and a walk from the parking area without even jumping on a trail.
Hiking Loch Lomond to Reynolds Lake, Reynolds Dam, and Steuart Lake
The dirt trail is narrow and relatively flat-ish, easy, and an absolute wall of color in certain areas right now. There are many small trails that lead down towards the “beach” along Lake Lomond, but there is just one obvious trail from the parking lot that leads towards the waterfall and Reynolds Lake and Dam.
Follow my GPS track (click here to download) which starts with a walk through the wildflowers, goes to the waterfall, then backtracks just a couple of feet to a dirt path that can be hard to miss. This path is a short but steep ascent that continues up to Reynolds Lake, Reynolds Dam (top of the waterfall), and Steuart Lake.
The loose trail to the upper lakes ascends 231 ft in just 0.15 miles.
Hiking to these higher lakes makes this hike a 0.75-mile hike total, one-way, if you head to the waterfall first..
But if wildflowers are the entire reason you’re coming, you can skip that climb. It’s genuinely not worth it for more flowers but it’s a beautiful view of more secluded lakes if you want to get away from the crowds — the payoff is at the bottom, and the upper lakes are more about the view than the blooms.
If wildflower season is calling your name, my list of the 20 Best Lake Hikes in Colorado has a few other easy, high-payoff options worth adding to your list alongside this one.
What to Know Before You Go
- Wildflowers: Currently peaking in late July 2026 — go now if you can, and don’t skip that first 0.3 miles. It’s kid-friendly.
- Vehicle: Dirt road, small AWD can handle it if you go slow and take your time, not technical. 2WD vehicles should plan to hike from the base of the road instead.
- Crowds: Weekdays are quiet — I had the place to myself on a Tuesday back in 2022. Sundays in peak wildflower season, expect a full lot.
- Bring a paddleboard. I didn’t have mine and genuinely regretted it the entire time — several other people did, and watching them glide around while I stood on shore was a real lesson learned. The lake is an easy carry from the parking area. Treat this as a lake day, not just a hike. Shop my favorite (budget-friendly) paddleboard here.
- Camping: This also makes a great quick, local off-roading camp spot if you’re not up for the full hike — the drive itself is half the appeal.
What to Pack for an Easy Alpine Lake Day
- Day pack: 20L with phone shoulder straps
- Stand-Up Paddleboard (inflatable travels easiest if you’re hiking any distance from the car)
- Travel towel: quick-drying and packable
- Sun shirt: you’re exposed for a good chunk of this (10% off w/ code followtiffsjourney)
- Merino wool socks
- Layers — alpine weather turns fast, even on an easy day
FAQ: Loch Lomond Trail
Do you need 4WD to reach Loch Lomond?
Not necessarily. The dirt road is manageable for small AWD vehicles — mine is a Bronco Sport Badlands and it did great. If you’re in a 2WD car, plan to park lower and hike the road instead.
Is Loch Lomond hard to hike?
No — it’s easy to moderate, mostly a dirt road, and not technical at all. Great for beginners or a low-effort day.
Do you have to hike far to see wildflowers?
Nope. The best display is in the first 0.3 miles from the lake, or right from the parking lot. Hiking up to the upper lakes gets you views, not more flowers.
Can you camp at Loch Lomond?
Yes — it’s a solid, easy, local off-roading camp spot. Go on a weekday if you want it quiet.
Best time to visit for wildflowers?
Currently peaking as of late July. Go soon if this is on your list.
Other Lake Hikes in Colorado You Might Like
Booking a trip to Colorado? If you want help building a full day around a spot like this and saving time on research — or turning it into a longer Front Range weekend — that’s exactly what I help with through my Custom Trip Planning service.
See you out there — hopefully with your paddleboard this time. 🌸
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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.
Join Tiff on her quest to share the wonders of nature and inspire others to follow their own path in the great outdoors.