Best Family Hikes in El Paso, Teller & Douglas Counties🥾

Hey there, adventurous families! 🌟 Ready to slide into your hiking boots, pack the snack stash, and hit Colorado’s backyard treasure troves? Whether you’re weaving through tall pines, spotting wildflowers, or just walking side-by-side soaking up the fresh air, these trails in El Paso County, Teller County, and Douglas County are made for all ages—from toddlers to grandparents (yes, really!). We’re all about inclusive, joyful, make-memories-together hikes. 🐝

Info Highlights

• Trail difficulty & stroller-friendly picks:
  
  

  • In Teller County you’ll find several easy/ family-friendly trails, like the Manitou Park Lake Loop with a ~4-km length and easy terrain. Hiiker+1
    
    

  • In Douglas County, open-space trails such as Columbine Open Space and others are gentle, wide, and great for little legs (or a rugged stroller) and dogs too (on leash). Douglas County+1
    
    

  • In El Paso County, there are “kid-friendly” trail lists—perfect for a first hike with the whole crew. Hiiker+1

✅ Top Trail Picks

Teller County

• Manitou Park Lake Loop – Easy, ~4 km loop around a scenic lake; perfect for families. hiiker.app+2tellerlinks.com+2
  
  

• Grouse Mountain & Cahill Pond Loop – Medium difficulty (~4.3 km) with pond views and good shade. hiiker.app
  
  

• Red Rocks Loop – Short (~1.6 km) loop in a beautiful red-rock setting. hiiker.app+1
  
  

Douglas County

• Dawson Butte Ranch Trail – ~5-mile loop, gentle terrain, dogs on leash welcome. Wikipedia+1
  
  

• Metzler Family Open Space Trail – Easy–moderate 4-mile unpaved trail atop 109 acres—great for a relaxed family outing. Castle Rock Official Website
  
  

El Paso County / Colorado Springs area

• Siamese Twins Loop Trail (in Garden of the Gods Park) – ~1-mile loop, easy terrain, iconic rock formation backdrop. visitcos.com+1
  
  

• Paint Mines Trail – ~3.6 mile loop with fun rock formations; shade limited so bring water!
  
  

• Fountain Creek Nature Trail – ~1.7 mile easy trail through wildflowers and creekside scenery.

• Picnic spots & restrooms: Many open-spaces in Douglas and Teller Counties offer picnic benches, shade, and parking. For example, open-space trail systems mention amenities like parking lots and picnic shelters. Douglas County
  
  

• Dog-friendly trails: Yes! Dogs on leash are welcomed on many Douglas trails (e.g., Glendale Farm, Hidden Mesa). Douglas County+1
  
  

• Scenic reward for all ages: From red-rock formations in Douglas to high-meadow loops in Teller, the views are worth the walk—even the short ones. komoot+1
  
  

Pro Tips + Closing Buzz

• 💧 Bring more water than you think. Colorado air is dry, and little ones (and big ones!) will dehydrate faster than you expect.
  
  

• 🕒 Start early to beat the heat and crowds—especially in El Paso County where easy trails fill up.
  
  

• 🧺 Pack a “trail picnic” kit: Sandwiches, fruit, something fun to stop mid-hike and enjoy. Makes it special.
  
  

• 👟 Use comfy shoes (and maybe a stroller if one kid gets tired). Choose a trail with a gentle slope if you’ve got a mixed-age crew.
  
  

• 📸 Stop and snap—those “first time hiking with the whole family” photos are gold.
  
  

• 🌤️ Check the weather & trail status. Some open spaces may close if conditions get tricky. Always good to double-check before heading out.
  
  

• 🐾 Respect the trail rules: Dogs on leash, stay on trail, leave no trace. Keeps the wild places wild and fun for everyone.
  
  

So go ahead—pick a trail, lace up those shoes, pack your snack, and bring the whole hive. Whether you’re searching for just a quick nature walk or a longer family adventure, you’ve got great options right here in our Colorado back-yard.

#FamilyHikeCO 🥾 #ColoradoFamilyFun 🐝 #ExploreColoradoTrails 🌲 #KidsInNatureCO #HikingWithKids #DouglasCountyOutdoors #ElPasoCountyHikes #TellerCountyTrails

Let’s hit the trail and make some memories! 💛