Evergreen Lake Trail
Type … Hike, Woods Wander, Drive-up
Highlights … Views, Lake, Creek
Seasons … All Seasons
Difficulty with Kids … Easy
Trail Details … 1.4 Mile, Loop (AllTrails)
Closest Town … Evergreen
Shade … Not Much
Parking Situation … Plenty (weekends in the summer can be busy)
Potty Situation … Flush Toilets near the Lakehouse
I’m pretty partial because Evergreen is home for us but one of our favorite weekend or summer activities is to visit Evergreen Lake in the center of our town. There is a loop trail that will take you around the full perimeter of the beautiful little lake; the trail itself is really varied making it a fun adventure for littles - different sections are boardwalk, paved, and dirt with small beaches and turnouts to stop for a snack break. It’s also a very popular spot for kayaking and paddle boarding during summer months if you’re into that! During winter months, there is ice skating (weather permitting) and it can be fun to get out there and watch the ice fisherman as well.
On the opposite end of the lake from the Lakehouse, you’ll take a staircase down to the bottom of the waterfall to Bear Creek below - if your kids love water, this is a great place to pop down to play. The “beach” is pretty rocky though so I’d suggest packing some water shoes.
TRAIL TIPS
Paddle boarding + kayaking. Evergreen Lake offers rentals as well as private boat day passes if you want to get out on the lake during your trip. “Boating” is typically available on the lake from Memorial Day - End of September but be sure to check out EPRD’s page to confirm if the lake is open.
Fishing is great here! Ice fishing, spinner rod fishing, and fly fishing are all popular here for good reason.
Good for Strollers. Mostly. If you want to do the full loop a stroller will be a bit tricky because there are two steep staircases to traverse. The one nearest to downtown is easy to go around (see map) in order to get you down to the creek but I would suggest turning around from here.
MAKE A DAY OF IT
From the Evergreen Lake trail, you can easily dip into downtown Evergreen for a coffee, bite to eat, or ice cream. Some local favorites are:
Breakfast or Coffee : Wildflower, Java Groove, or Muddy Buck (best cinnamon rolls!)
Lunch : Murphy’s or Kiki’s
Ice Cream/Shaved Ice : Baskin Robbins, Slife’s, Colorado Creamery (if you don’t mind a quick drive)
Drinks/Dinner : Revival Brews
EVERGREEN LAKE MAP
Head clockwise from the Lakehouse if you have a stroller (we usually start this way no matter what). Below the waterfall, there is creek access and from this same area you can easily get to downtown Evergreen on foot.
Our favorite spot to paddle board
One of sections of boardwalk
Elk are a common sighting at the lake!
Wide flat path perfect for strollers
The waterfall area feeds into Bear Creek - a great place to splash around!
Far side of the lake
No big beaches here but you can easily touch the water in some spots.
Love to ice fish here in the winter
The lake offers ice skating (this was taken at a special event where they offered night skating)